The spirit of Christmas includes giving
By Jaclyn Schrock
Over 150 volunteer hours helped provide a drive-through pick up of Christmas breakfast and dinner, on Tuesday, December 22nd. Gilpin Food Bank is so very thankful to their helpful, revolving team of volunteers. The young and not so young giving of time, energy, compassion and holiday cheer donated so many hours of help coordinated by the Gilpin Food Bank. (more…)
A rare holiday for miners reserved for ‘prayin and eatin’
By David Forsyth, PhD
The story of the first Thanksgiving is perhaps one of the best known and most mythical stories in American history, and while its importance is doubted by few, the holiday itself was slow to take hold. Between the time of the American Revolution and the Civil War, each state decided when to mark its own Thanksgiving. By the early 19th (more…)
From the Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
Sports always played an important role in the social life of Gilpin County’s residents during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Perhaps the best known sports stars in the county were the members of the Central City (more…)
Due to wildfire threat caused by severe drought and wind
By Reid Armstrong
Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions, the USDA Forest Service’s Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties, effective at midnight tonight, Oct. 21. This decision will be re-evaluated daily as conditions change. (more…)
Gilpin County Commissioners consider old fashioned country fair for next fall
By Randy Beaudette
The Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) October 6, 2020 regular online meeting discussed topics such as information on the upcoming Tolland Road closure, welcome news concerning the 2021 Fair, and Great Outdoor Colorado Resilient Communities Grant Award acceptance. (more…)
Exploring in Gilpin and Clear Creek counties
By Aaron Storms
Our friends Ron and Becky drove their Jeep Wrangler down to Gilpin County from Madison, WI for another off-road adventure with us. They rented a nice little cabin on the Casey Road in Central City that they referred to as the “cliff-hanger” cabin, and we planned out our weekend trips at the Dostal Alley Friday evening. (more…)
$7.7 million needed to run the Sheriff’s Office and Rec Center
By Randy Beaudette
On August 25, 2020 Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a long and disorganized online regular meeting that discussed topics such as an update on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a discussion concerning the Sheriff’s Office and Parks and Recreation Capital Expenditures, and a discussion on possible November Ballot questions. (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…)
August 18th Land & Facility Use Comprehensive Plan discussion
By Jaclyn Schrock
Abel Montoya, Gilpin County Manager, opened the third Town Hall (TH3) meeting following the closing of the Gilpin County Community Center (GCCC) or Recreation Center, cuts in county staff, and cuts to the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office (SO). A $2 million budget cut resulted from COVID-19 lockdown March-June, 2020. (more…)
Gilpin only has 16 cases of Coronavirus – state and county mask order extended
By Randy Beaudette
During an unusual Thursday meeting on August 6, 2020, Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held an online meeting that featured topics of two grant requests, an agreement that will assist Gilpin residents seek gainful employment, and a possible land deal with Proximo Distilleries. (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…)
And enjoy the many benefits
by Melinda Myers
Pollinators are responsible for about 75% of the food we eat. The European honeybee is the most well-known but our native bees are also critically important. We can help (more…)
March 22, 1930 – June 28, 2020
David Russell Zancanella passed away on Sunday June 28, 2020. He was born on March 22, 1930 to Tony and Jennie Zancanella in Russell Gulch, Colorado.
Dave enjoyed growing up in Black Hawk, Co. with his brothers and sisters. After graduating from High School, Dave worked for the Rio-Grande Railroad before going into the Army in 1951 where he served as a diesel mechanic in Italy (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…)
From army cutworms to flying up the mountains in Colorado
By Jaclyn Schrock
The first army cutworms I saw this year were falling from masses of caterpillar web nests high in the cottonwood trees along the San Pedro River in Arizona, mid-April, very normal. There were tons of caterpillars everywhere. About 2 inches long, light grey with a brilliant blue strip front to back on both sides. (more…)
Parents warned by CPW to watch their children
In Colorado, living aside nature is often a part of the normal day-to-day routine. This tends to mean that additional safety measures may be required to protect both human and animal life. Mountain lion (more…)