23rd Annual Cemetery Crawl in Central City
The Gilpin County Historical Society presented its 23rd Annual Cemetery Crawl on Saturday, August 27 at the Bald Mountain Cemetery. The Crawl is a 90-minute production by 30 volunteers. Stories of pioneer men – miners, a doctor, two …read the rest of this story »
Spooks, Inc. provides paranormal insights
The joke at Central City’s Masonic Lodge (Central 6) on Sunday afternoon was “Tiny Johnson sleeps with pigs.” “Tiny” (a more accurate moniker would be “Big” Bill Johnson) is the expert operator of the six-foot long cylindrical contraption …read the rest of this story »
History in Black Hawk
Family lore has it that my Great Grandfather, Edward Sylvanus Blake, came to Gilpin County, Colorado right after the Civil War and ran the livery stable on Gregory Street. Little did I know when I started this project that Ed S. was always a livery man, a …read the rest of this story »
St. James Methodist Church in Central City
St. James traditionally observes its anniversary the second Sunday in July with a “Homecoming” celebration. Two Methodist missionaries began the St. James congregation on the second weekend in July, 1859, on the corner of Main and Eureka Streets. …read the rest of this story »
At the July 17th Independence Parade celebration
Rollinsville has celebrated its independence from John Quincy Adams Rollins every summer since 1885. Rollins owned the entire town prior to around that time when he began to loosen his grip. The San Francisco Chronicle …read the rest of this story »
Central City’s Main Street is wide-open for fun
The weather was perfect for the Madam Lou Bunch Day celebration on Saturday, June 18th with clear skies and warm sun. At noon the crowds were introduced to the event by Mistress of Ceremony Sandra Hines, with the history of the …read the rest of this story »
Gilpin County Library wins exclusive grant for special program
The Gilpin County Public Library is one of 65 libraries in America to be selected for a special program: Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War, by the American Library Association Public Programs …read the rest of this story »
150 years ago the “western Gettysburg” was fought
In March of 1862, the Civil War essentially came to an end in the West at Glorietta Pass in New Mexico. Without the Colorado forces, that battle might well have gone to the Confederates. Whatever else it proved, it vindicated Governor …read the rest of this story »
Thrills crowds in Central City
The lawn of the Gilpin History Museum vibrated with anticipation on May 28 as 11 a.m. approached. The ‘Unveiling of the Nautilus,’ Central City’s own mountain submarine, was imminent. Dave Forsyth, Gilpin County Historical Society …read the rest of this story »
More about our founder on the 150th anniversary
Our county is 150 years old this year. That’s why I’ll be doing a few more articles about the man we were named for. Governor William Gilpin is one of the heroes of Colorado history and he’s bound to be thought of as we consider the 150th …read the rest of this story »