“Best Event in the Entire State”
By David Josselyn
On Saturday, June 30, 2018, Central City hosted the popular Stills in the Hills event. Local distillers lined Main Street pouring hundreds of dollars of their product into tiny tasting glasses for patrons while live music pulsated down the lane entertaining casino guests, visitors, and ticket holders alike. Stills is in its sixth year and other bourbon events are popping up across the state creating competition between promoters to (more…)
Cormorants take up residence in Gilpin County
By Randy Beaudette
They are big, black, with long necks and beaks. Anyone who has driven past Kriley Pond on Hwy 46 has seen them on the inlet spit sunning themselves and looking for a quick meal. What are those birds? They’re Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus aka Double Crested Cormorants. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Volunteer, Carl Salazar, some folks call them “Willets.” Whatever you call them, they are a fascinating bird with an interesting story. Most folks misidentify them as Loons. (more…)
The story of E.G. Gambell’s 1859 gold discovery
By John Schapekahm
Up Pickle Creek and past Missouri Lake, then up Missouri Canyon, past Wide-Awake town, over the hump and down into Gambell Gulch, seven miles from Black Hawk, three miles from Rollinsville, is/was Perigo. (more…)
Gilpin County Primary – Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Summary for All Contests, All Districts, All Tabulators, All Counting Groups in the 2018 Gilpin County Primary Election – Unofficial Results. Ballots Cast: 1,554 (more…)
From local news publications spanning 100 years
March 11, 1864 – The City of Black Hawk was incorporated by an act of the territorial legislature.
May 3, 1864 – The production entitled “Life’s Changes” is respectfully declined.
June 1, 1864 – Yesterday we had rain in copious showers – Today, the atmospheric programme is changed and we are blessed with a more delicate and finer quality, in the shape of dense fogs and drizzle. Oh Sauerkraut! What a country. (more…)
Family friendly changes for 44th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day
By David Josselyn
On Saturday, June 16, 2018, Central City hosted the 44th Annual Lou Bunch Day. This day honors the contribution of the madams, girls, and gentlemen callers, that helped drive the City’s prosperity and sordid history. The last madam to rule the roost on Pine Street was Lou Bunch whose name they adopted to name the event. The highlight of the day features a time trial race down and up Main Street in a large brass bed. (more…)
23rd Annual Father’s Day Fishing Clinic
by Patty Unruh
Kids and dads, along with other family members, joined for a day of fun at the 23rd Annual Father’s Day Fishing Clinic on Sunday, June 17, at William C. Russell Park and Pond in Central City. The Gilpin County Community Center presented the event. Sponsors were Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Gilpin County, Central City, and Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon. (more…)
Old #4319 to play a part in the historical Como Project
by Patty Unruh
Generations of Gilpin County families have enjoyed picnicking and fishing at William C. Russell Park above Central City. Likely, many of them recall the deteriorating rail (more…)
Commissioners review I-70 Awareness Campaign
By Randy Beaudette
Once again the Gilpin County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart, and Ron Engels were greeted with a full and varied agenda for the regular Commissioners meeting that took place promptly at 9:00 am on Tuesday June 12, 2018 at the newly restored Gilpin County Courthouse. (more…)
November 22, 1924 – May 24, 2018
Christa Maria (Seidel) Siemer, 93, departed this life on May 24th, 2018. Christa, or Chris (as she was known to many) was born on November 22, 1924 in Trachenberg, Germany. As the daughter of a dentist, Christa spent a happy childhood until World War II when the family became refugees. At the age of 16 Christa joined the Red Cross as a nurse’s aide.
Following the end of the war, Christa worked in the civilian department for the United States Army. It was during this time she decided she wanted to be an (more…)
71st Annual Juried Art Show Opens
By David Josselyn
As the rebirth of jazz approaches, the Gilpin County Arts Association opened their 71st Annual Juried Art Show on June 2, 2018. This is the longest running juried show in (more…)
Central City considers use as a community center
by Patty Unruh
Central City’s historic Belvidere Theatre was the scene of a special fundraising event last Sunday afternoon, June 3. The City has been working to acquire funding and begin renovation on the long-neglected building. There is much to be done, and the fundraiser showed people how they could help. (more…)
Two meetings in two weeks
By David Josselyn
The First Special Meeting
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018, Central City Council held a special meeting to address several issues. Several Council members and staff have planned absences during the summer lessening the number of meetings to one per month, so this push felt necessary and responsible to address needs timely. (more…)
Passing on local history to the next generation
By Jaclyn Schrock
Susan Sepanik teaches math and science, and Beth Olkowsky teaches language arts and history. Both teachers are among the finest teachers, building strong relationships with each individual 4th grader while having half the 4th graders in their homeroom class. These teachers work together to keep learning accurately accountable and fun while adventuring through Colorado history using hands-on science experiences and discovering real facts. (more…)
June 9th at St. James Church in Central City
By Edward J. Lewandowski
My dad, Edward R. Lewandowski, passed away on March 14, 2018. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps as a flight engineer on C-47s, B-17s, and B-29s.
Dad was the founder of the Broken Handle Mining Corporation in 1955 and was the President ever since. He began mining in high-altitude mines (El. 12,000 ft) in (more…)
March 16, 1932 – February 13, 2018
Dr. Jerald “Jerry” A. Griess, 85, died Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in Murfreesboro, TN from complications related to his blood pressure and Parkinson’s Disease. In hospice care for four days, Jerry passed on peacefully in his sleep.
Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife Roberta Griess and his parents Alfred and Frieda (Engelhardt) Griess. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie (more…)