47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day
By Jaclyn Schrock
With festivities returning to our Central City, we all cheer the arrival of Madam Lou Bunch Day. Thank you to all the volunteers and dedicated workers who made the 2021 Madam Lou Bunch Day such a success! Central City has had many lives and historical events remembered and forgotten. (more…)
New park benches for Gregory Plaza and other city locations
By Don Ireland
Dozens of new park benches will be coming to Gregory Plaza and other locations around Black Hawk in the near future. Black Hawk City Council approved spending $60,617 (more…)
Gregory Street Plaza grand opening planned for 2022 with classic vehicle show
By Don Ireland
How does a hiker climb a mountain? That’s easy: One step at a time. That same strategy is being used by the Black Hawk City Council, which last week advanced several steps toward its goal of creating a series of hiking and mountain biking trails around the city. (more…)
Belvidere Pocket Park Opens in Central City
By David Josselyn
On Tuesday, August 3, Central City commemorated the opening of the Belvidere Pocket Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony. (more…)
Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
Theft from cemeteries has been a problem for decades. People steal floral arrangements for decorative purposes, vases for scrap metal, and even headstones and statues to put in their back yards. Gilpin County’s cemeteries have not been immune (more…)
Another mystery from the Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
On the morning of January 20, 1967, Gilpin County Treasurer and Glory Hole Tavern owner Bill Axton was found bound and gagged inside the vault of the Treasurer’s (more…)
Fun at Belvidere Theatre and Clark School
By Brian Gibbins
As a tourist town in the summer, Central City made and exciting background for adventure for any nine-year old boy. Imagine living in the middle of a western set for a movie. Where almost every building is dedicated to bringing the essence of mining, the old west and the Victorian era into the hearts and photographs of visitors. (more…)
Shining star of Gilpin’s past, only heaven knows the future – Part 2 of 2
By Don Ireland
The past of the Fritz Peak Observatory is an indelible part of Gilpin County’s history. The short-term future for the 5.8-acre property, however, will remain something of a (more…)
Gilpin Historical Society
by David Forsyth, PhD
Charles H. Briggs and his brothers arrived in Black Hawk on May 9, 1860. Like thousands of others, they came to try their hand at mining. The brothers discovered and worked the Briggs Mine, which was on the Gregory Lode near Central City. The mine was repeatedly referred to by newspapers of the time as one of the best mines in Gilpin County. Its ore was regularly displayed at state (more…)
The Future of Black Hawk, Part 3
By Don Ireland
(Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a series regarding the ongoing Black Hawk renaissance, including planned developments and attractions.)
When the Gregory Street Plaza officially opens in July, it will offer the opportunity for people to step into the past and experience Black Hawk’s rich history. (more…)
June 23 Council Meeting
By Don Ireland
Black Hawk has received a $46,600 state grant to help reimburse costs for the city’s police department during the Covid-19 pandemic. The city’s Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to accept the grant during last week’s council meeting. The grant was received from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF). It will (more…)
The Future of Black Hawk, Part 2
By Don Ireland
(Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about the ongoing Black Hawk renaissance, including planned developments and attractions.)
Many visitors look at Black Hawk solely as a place to go and gamble, regardless of whether its slot machines, poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps or sports betting. However, that viewpoint of the mountain town may change in the future as the result of Black Hawk’s ongoing renaissance. (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…)