Historical Society’s “Creepy Crawl” draws hundreds to Central
Complete with ghosts…
Central City’s streets were bustling with a different crowd Saturday night. There were plenty of folks who’d just stepped out of casinos, but there were also families with elementary aged kids, teenagers and at least one octogenarian who navigated the Eureka Street hill with adult grandchildren offering an arm on each side. More than 200 folks, most traveling up from the metro area and down from points West, had come to see the “ghosts.”
Last Saturday night was the third Creepy Crawl of the month. The Gilpin Historical Society (GHS), well-known for reenactments of historical characters, especially those prominent in hometown history, has been up to ghostly pre-Halloween fun, promoting Central City to tourists interested in the streetscapes and stories of citizens from centuries past. Their Creepy Crawls have taken place each Saturday night of October with the last scheduled on October 24th. The Century Casino offers parking and a central meeting spot at their Eureka/Main Street entrance. From there, costumed guides corral a group and lead them along Main Street, pointing out the different buildings with a little history thrown in for good measure. By the 7 p.m. start time, dusk has settled, the shadows are deepening as the old fashioned streetlights begin to glow and, every so often, a “ghost” materializes.
Upper Eureka was haunted last Saturday night. The doors to the Face Bar had been opened so groups could stop in and hear the tale of the Face on the Barroom Floor. That opened mental doors to the ghost stories of the Teller and Opera Houses. Heading up the hill toward the latter, the group passes the Teller House Courtyard. The leaves rustle on the desiccated foliage of the gardens and from deep in the darkness of the lower level they hear a baritone Irish brogue singing a jaunty tune. It grows louder, clearer, closer. Fragrant pipe tobacco precedes the appearance of a dapper Billy Hamilton (portrayed by Scott Magey) who steps into the lamplight, tamps his pipe and begins his story. All too soon, he’s pulling his pocket watch from his vest and is off to worry the stagehands, stepping back into shadow accomplishing a disappearing act that lingers. There were several more “ghosts” portrayed by GHS members this night – all in period costume with original stories about their lives, their homes and Central City. Some, like Billy, are good-natured and jovial. Others are sweet, sad, somber, eerie. (One in particular, put the “creep” in the crawl.) The stories are authentic, said Jones, some were experienced by local residents that she knew personally. The complete tour took a little over an hour, moving at a pace comfortable even for folks who don’t walk so well or so fast. Earlier Crawls had been foggy and cold, but this night was mild, with just enough October chill to set the mood. The ghost hunters were really enjoying themselves.
The Creepy Crawls are free, provided through a partnership of Central’s Business Improvement District (BID) members and the GHS. The two are working together to bring more folks (and more dollars) to the city. If the crowds trailing the flowing capes of the guides down and up Main and then Eureka/Lawrence Streets were any indication – it’s working. Linda Jones of the GHS said the event had been advertised online and in the Denver Post. Then it hit the airwaves of Fox 31 News and registration jumped. GHS had hoped to draw 150 people for each Crawl. As registration climbed toward 300 (for each event), they called in more volunteers and said, “Bring it on.” For events this size, it takes nine or ten GHS volunteers to portray ghosts and guide groups. Jones commended everyone noting that it’s a real dedication for that many folks to give up a month’s worth of Saturday nights. She also praised the BID for seeing the value of what GHS and other non-profit groups in Central City have to offer. While folks came for the Crawl, many were headed into the casinos afterwards. Some had come for dinner before the tour. Others were headed for food and drinks afterwards. Some were making a weekend of it, spending the night at casino hotels or local Bed and Breakfasts. It’s a partnership that benefits everyone involved and just shows what can be done when folks care and cooperate, said Jones.
GHS is opening their museum at 228 High Street on Friday October 30th for the Second Annual Ghouls of Gilpin County. They have at least six chilling tales to share, including “Death on the Railroad.” The haunting hour begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door. For more information on these and other GHS events, call 303-582-5283.