Appointments made for Council, Judges, Historic Preservation
By Randy Beaudette
The Regular online meeting of the Black Hawk City Council highlighted the online swearing in of Mayor David Spellman, Alderman Bennet, Alderman Moates, and Alderman Torres. Plus there were two Municipal Judge appointments, a Historical Preservation Committee member appointment, and the awarding of construction contract for the Maryland Mountain Trail System. (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…)
Nevadaville History
By Mary Peery
Many stories have been written about the renowned miner Patrick D. Casey, whose career in the mining district (Central City, Nevadaville, and Black Hawk), lasted just a few years. The stories below depict the candor and grit that Casey brought with him from New York, which led to his success and notoriety. Presented below are the works of three authors and an early Central City Daily Register newspaper article. The writers focus on (more…)
April 30, 1949 – January 6, 2020
Thomas S. Hendricks passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020, during the early morning hours, in the loving warmth of his home in Caribou, CO. Miner Tom was born on April 30, 1949, and grew up in Colorado Springs, going on camping trips with his family all over Colorado to places like (more…)
Notes From Nevadaville – 1878
By Mary Peery
Interesting Reminiscences of Early Days and Practical Observations About the Mines By Correspondence to the Rocky Mountain News
Nevadaville, Gilpin County, June 4, 1878 – This is one of the oldest mining towns of Colorado. It is reached by passing through Central City, and following Nevada Gulch up for nearly one and a half miles. The famous Burrough’s lode was discovered in 1859, just after the discovery of the big Gregory mine near Central. At the same time a great many miners came looking for gold in the gulch. During the four years following, many exciting (more…)
From the Early Days column of the Weekly Register-Call on January 8, 1897
By Mary Peery
At the Bobtail Mine near Central City in the early days, Pat Casey held forth as the greatest character in the camp and his night shift had a reputation for belligerency all over the mountains. There was a large number of Cornishmen in one tunnel who were great wrestlers and frequently sent challenges to other parties, which were seldom accepted, (more…)
Bridge over Highway 119 kicks off countdown
Soon Coloradoans will have a new trail system to explore in Black Hawk. Crews will begin installing a bridge over Highway 119 on Monday, December 2nd to connect the Hidden Treasure Trailhead parking area to the new Gilpin Tramway Trail around the Maryland Mountain Recreational Park development. Highway 119 near mile marker 8 will be closed from 6 p.m. on December 2nd to 6 a.m. on December 3rd to install the new bridge. (more…)
The Boston & Colorado Smelter in Black Hawk
By Mary Peery
Nathaniel P. Hill first came to the Central City area in 1864, and he lived a life of meaningful accomplishments, which bettered the mining industry, and the State of Colorado. It is hard to glean a complete picture of Mr. Hill’s life from any one source. (more…)
Nevada City (Nevadaville) in the 1860’s
By Mary Peery
This newspaper article appeared in The Hartford Courant, which is the country’s (more…)
Nevadaville Notes in the early 1900’s
By Mary Peery
News from the Gilpin County Miner, December 7, 1939 by William C. Russell, Jr.: “The Methodist Church in Nevadaville was recently been purchased by Mrs. Mildred Zook of Hinsdale, Illinois, and she plans to make an Art Studio of it. Wm. C. Russell, Jr., is boarding it up for the winter. Gordon Starbuck has purchased the old Meyhew residence and has started fixing it up. Someone has purchased the brick Odd Fellows building and is tearing it down and hauling the brick away. It is said this is one of the oldest brick buildings in Colorado and that the brick were hauled here with ox teams. (more…)
Sole inhabitant upholds civic pride of once booming mining center
By Mary Peery
Rocky Mountain News, June 3, 1930: “Nevadaville, one-time boom mining camp of the Central City district, is not dead—not by a long shot and the civic pride of its one inhabitant. Merely suggest that it is a ghost city, and Leonard Nichols, aged hermit, will resent the imputation. New distinction has come to Nichols, distinction given to few men in the United States. He is the sole inhabitant of the entire settlement. Uncle Sam sent a census enumerator to Nevadaville the other day. The enumerator looked high and low, then recorded “One Resident.” (more…)
Masonic Lodge Open House, Pancake Breakfast, and Antique Gun Demo
By Jaclyn Schrock
Nevadaville may be considered a ghost town, but those are not ghosts who live there and keep its recollections alive. Real people have brought back to us, with much restoration work, the Nevadaville Masonic Lodge No. 4 completed in 1879 on Main Street, across from the original City Hall. With improvements to the building in the last few years, the continuing members have had an annual fund raising pancake breakfast. (more…)
Gilpin County to receive $32K reimbursement from state for Human Services
By Randy Beaudette
The Gilpin County 2018 Tobacco and Health Survey results and the 2020 Cost Allocation Plan dominated the conversation at the Gilpin County Commissioners (BoCC) regular meeting held on Tuesday July 23, 2019 at the Gilpin County Courthouse. (more…)
Volunteer opportunity on August 3 & 4
By Michelle Slaughter
Volunteers are needed to help the historical project archaeologists from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, at the Russell Gulch Cemetery, located SW of Central City, record graves and headstones, complete site forms and take photos, and assist as needed each day. Volunteers may participate one or both days but will need to commit to one or the other—or both—by July 29. (more…)
Non-Historic Structure Demolition on Chase Street
By Randy Beaudette
The most recent Black Hawk City Council regular meeting focused on the demolition of non-historic building in the historical district and the purchase of a new fire truck. Alderman Paul Bennett rang the bell to announce the July 10, 2019 session that stepped of smartly at 3:00 p.m. (more…)
Drinking and Shooting at Nevadaville
By Mary Peery
Rocky Mountain News, July 19, 1884: “Quite a rumpus was kicked up at Nevadaville, the seat of most of the troubles in Gilpin County, early Thursday morning. Barely after midnight, George Ellis and Burke, who had been drinking in Mathews’ Saloon, appeared on the sidewalk in front of the saloon. Suddenly, and without apparent cause or warning, Burke hit Ellis in the head with a slung shot (striking weapon) knocking him to the ground, senseless. Burke made his escape for the time being by running away. (more…)