Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
As 1940 began, the great political question was whether or not President Franklin D. Roosevelt would seek a third term with a probable world war on the horizon. Lawyer and business executive Wendell Willkie was frequently mention as a possible successor if FDR retired, but unlike most people, Willkie, who was a registered Democrat, believed that the president would seek a third term. Willkie decided the only way (more…)
The saga of Lilly Belle’s Casino in Black Hawk
By David Forsyth, PhD
As the gambling industry took off in Black Hawk and Central City in the early 1990s, it attracted a great deal of attention from outside investors and from some of the larger casinos companies based in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. One of those investors was talk show host and game show inventor Merv Griffin. (more…)
Nevadaville history – Part 1
By Mary Peery
Edith James came to Nevadaville as a child. She eventually became the first woman city clerk and treasurer of Nevadaville. Her husband passed, while their children were relatively young. Edith raised her children, as a single mother in Nevadaville. In this article, two of Edith’s children tell the story of growing up in Nevadaville, during the early 1900’s. A minimal amount of editing was used, to preserve her children’s (more…)
Launched in Lake Gulch south of Central City
By David Forsyth
On July 4, 1872, William B. Walling launched a steamboat on the lake at the head of Lake Gulch, south of Central City (about where the Gold Mountain Village apartments are now). It was the first steamboat launched in Colorado. John Bennett claimed 155 acres of land around the lake in 1862 for ranching, but by 1864 he had branched out into the resort business. He built a dance hall (more…)
Opened August 1st in Central City at Washington Hall
By Jaclyn Schrock
Creative progressions were presented in their final form. Artists go through many steps to create something that at some point is considered finished, or until a deadline makes them stop fine-tuning. In the upstairs of Washington Hall, 117 Eureka Street in Central City, Gilpin County Arts Association (GCAA) held the opening reception of their (more…)
Council deals with cell tower chaos
By David Josselyn
Regular Council Meeting
Mayor Jeremy Fey convened the regular meeting at 7:03 pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, in City Hall Council Chambers. Council members Jeff Aiken, Judy Laratta, Jackie Johnson, Jack Hidahl, and Mayor Jeremy Fey were present. Mayor Fey led the Pledge of Allegiance and then asked for any amendments or (more…)
In a unique outdoor setting held in the Opera House Gardens
By Jaclyn Schrock
St. James Methodist Church in Central City has met as a congregation, encouraging their community to be united in fellowship with believers in Jesus the Christ, since July 1859. July 12, 2020 celebrating the joyous occasion on their 162 Year Heritage Sunday, they were welcomed to the outdoor setting in the Opera House Gardens, across the street from the church. (more…)
Belvidere Players performances in July
By Patrice LeBlanc
While most theaters have shut down in Colorado, residents in Central City have found a way to provide entertainment while maintaining the health guidelines set by the County. The Belvidere Players will perform a social distance melodrama, The Abduction at Mountain City or Where is Millie? on July 11, 18 and 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Teller House (more…)
Celebrating from Central City to Georgetown
By Mary Peery
1890 was a good year for the mining towns. Populations increased. Shops and saloons were busy. This resulted in more fees paid to the town’s coffers, giving town leaders the ability to fund large Fourth of July (more…)
Looking back to the origins of this mining community
By Mary Peery
The miners of Russell Gulch and Gregory Gulch observed the Fourth of July, which occurred weeks after gold was discovered and the mining districts were formed. According to the late editor and proprietor of the Colorado Mining Journal, Ovando J. Hollister, in his 1867 book The Mines of Colorado: “In the first days of June (1859) Green Russell had discovered and commenced operations in the gulch that bears his name, a tributary of north Clear Creek, a little south (more…)
This is the Price They Paid
By Michael W Smith
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. They signed and they pledged their (more…)
June 15, 2020
It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Judy Grant, our Board Chair, passed away on June 15, 2020. Judy served on the Central City Opera Board of Directors since 2002 and assumed the Chairmanship in 2018. She was a gracious representative of the organization in all she did. She loved to show off all that Central City Opera had to offer and we were lucky to have her dedication and commitment guiding this organization. She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed. You can (more…)
Saving a girl from an overdose of Laudanum in 1882
By Mary Peery
Ada Branch was a Madam, who ran a respectable parlor house, prior to Lou Bunch’s arrival in Central City. Ada, known as “Big Swede,” ran her business from the same house that Lou Bunch would one day occupy. The following Weekly Register-Call article from 1882, describes an attempted (more…)
Pursuing a passion for over 40 years
By Mike Peery
While still in high school, in the late ‘70’s, I was looking for my first car. One day, while driving my dad’s ’58 Chevy truck, I saw a yellow car with a black top sitting in a nearby 7-11 parking lot, with a For Sale sign (more…)
Gilpin County Mining History
By Mary Peery
The Prize Mine possesses one of the most visible and intact mine structures, which defines the eastern boundary of Nevadaville. It is situated on Prize Hill above Nevadaville Road. Below are the works of several writers (more…)
Commissioners hold virtual meeting, all casinos and bars are closed
By Randy Beaudette
For the first time in history, the Gilpin County Commissioners held their regular meeting on March 17, 2020 via internet as a virtual meeting due to the Coronavirus outbreak. (more…)