Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
On November 24, 1939, the Weekly Register-Call reported that Mr. and Mrs. Davis Dresser had visited Central City to do some research in the files of the newspaper. Only a die-hard fan would have known that Davis Dresser was in fact one of the best-known mystery writers of his time. He wrote under several pseudonyms, including Asa Baker, (more…)
Approved in school year’s final meeting
By Curt Halsted
The final school board meeting for the 2020/2021 school year the board was started a half hour early with a budget work session designed to provide time for the public to ask questions about the 2021/2022 budgets. Gilpin County School Business (more…)
How a SpeakEasy served the community
By Esmee Halsted
On Saturday, June 12th the longtime coming production of Prohibition premiered in the Opera House Gardens. A local play created by couple Patrice LeBlanc and Ed Schoenradt, the play features historical references to both the Great Depression and (more…)
The Future of Black Hawk, Part 1
By Don Ireland
(Editor’s note: This is the first of several stories about planned developments and attractions for Black Hawk, including an artisan’s beverage community, the Gregory Street historic project, hiking trails and more.)
A renaissance is continuing for the City of Black Hawk. The community’s historic, gold-mining past has been well-documented and featured in books, magazines, newspaper stories and other media for more than a century. (more…)
Snow fun in Central City as a kid – Part 1 of 2
by Brian Gibbins
If we were going to spend a winter in the house we were building, we were going to need more than the 2-wheel drive truck we had. That fall, Dad brought home “The Jeep.” We just called it The Jeep since we didn’t really name vehicles and we only had one Jeep. Dad had already taught me the basics in the truck and I had been steering around rocks for him all summer from the passenger seat at 12 years old. But back to the Jeep… (more…)
No masks at County Transfer Station; free Rec Center access for seniors
By Jaclyn Schrock
The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) had their bi-monthly meeting June 15, 2021, beginning at 9 am and closing to go into executive session at 12:36. In Gilpin County’s historic 1900 Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street, (more…)
Victims of abuse can seek help from PorchLight
By Randy Beaudette
Black Hawk City Council held their regular meeting on June 9, 2021 to discuss a memorandum of Understanding with the PorchLight Family Justice Center, a grant to purchase automatic license readers, and a resolution to purchase a new police vehicle. Gilpin County Attorney Brad Benning rang the bell and Mayor Spellman called the Council to (more…)
One-Way is Your-Way in Central City
By David Josselyn
Regular Council Meeting
Mayor Fey convened a regular meeting of the City of Central Council at 7:05 pm on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in City Hall Council chambers. (more…)
Central City native will teach in Moldova
By Don Ireland
Rachel Schmalz has visited many European countries in the years since she graduated from Gilpin County High School. This fall, she’ll be working in another country – one that many people here haven’t heard about. Schmalz has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for an English Teaching Assistantship to Moldova for the 2021-22 academic year, which begins in September. (more…)
Adventures of growing up in the ‘70s in Central City
By Brian Gibbins
Another night out for the Gibbins family while living on the outskirts of Central City. We bundled up for the winter weather and left the Buck House on our way to town. Dad decided to drive through Nevadaville as that way was more direct. The old Jeep might have (more…)
Black Hawk’s drone light show not available this summer
By Don Ireland
Drone light shows have begun to replace traditional fireworks displays across the world. However, neither type of sky shows is slated for Gilpin County this Independence Day. Originally, the City of Black Hawk investigated the concept of using a July 4th drone-light show this year. After holding initial discussions with a company that offered such a (more…)
Reunite with fellow believers
By Jaclyn Schrock
Regulations were updated May 2, 2021 at https://covid19.colorado.gov/worship-guidance. Worship and associated ceremonies such as weddings and funerals are classified as critical. Ceremonies are to (more…)
Gilpin Historical Society
by David Forsyth, PhD
Although Gilpin County has enjoyed its share of famous visitors, perhaps none was as famous as Ulysses S. Grant. Grant first visited Central City in July 1868 with Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Phil Sheridan, greeting well-wishers in the (more…)
June 1st School Board Meeting
By Curt Halsted
School Board President Steve Boulter started the meeting by sharing care and concern for School Board Member Joe Marr who was with family after his son Mike and two grandchildren were in a serious accident in Wyoming. The grandkids have recovered from minor injuries, while his son Mike is improving, but still has a long road to recovery. The board celebrated (more…)
Maybe you need the help of a drone
By Don Ireland
What do Bigfoot, Girl Scout cookies, soccer, Michael Jordan, police and s’mores have in common? They all have been the subject of recent news stories involving drones, technically called small Unmanned Aerial Systems by the Federal Aviation Administration. Although drone operations and sightings (more…)
Saturday, August 14 featuring the Famous Bed Races!
By Lisa Roemhildt
Join us Saturday, August 14, at noon through 8:00 pm for the 47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day! Madam Lou Bunch Day is a family event of fun, competition and loaded with history and facts of the area. Madam Lou Bunch owned the most successful brothel (referred to as a “sporting house”) in Central City. The annual event features the (more…)