Strike it Rich in 2009...GilpinCounty Celebrates
150 Years of History and Culture
Gilpin County announced today that the area will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Colorado's first and most significant lode gold strike with a series of festivals and events in the summer of 2009. Plan now to attend the festivities which begin on May 2, 2009, with a Gregory Day celebration commemorating the man who started it all in 1859.
"We are thrilled to be able to honor the great history of this area and to share its wealth with the citizens of Colorado," Linda Jones, President of the Gilpin County Historical Society said. "We've created a series of events to celebrate the anniversary and launched a new website:
www.gilpin150.com that gives visitors historical information on the area."
Colorado history shows that within days of John H. Gregory's May 6, 1859 discovery of the first and most productive lode gold strike in the Rockies, thousands of miners made the dangerous trek into the Colorado wilderness. This strike signaled an opportunity for instant wealth and had a profound effect on Colorado's national appeal, causing thousands to migrate west. Gregory's strike instantly gave rise to the important towns of Central City, Black Hawk, and Rollinsville along with many others that are now abandoned. At the height of the gold rush as many as 1,000 people per day arrived in these towns. Soon Gilpin County rivaled Denver in population and surpassed it in wealth and culture.
Nicknamed the "Richest Square Mile on Earth," Gilpin County saw Colorado's first grand opera house, the first use of a steam engine in mining and advances in smelting which were pioneered only in the town of Black Hawk. In addition to its mining history, Gilpin County is home to Lincoln Hills, the first African-American owned and operated resort west of the Mississippi. The resort was an important mainstay during our country's history when African-Americans were not permitted in white establishments and over the years the guest list included many famous blues and jazz musicians who performed in Denver and were welcomed in Gilpin County's mountains.
Gilpin County will celebrate its important contribution to Colorado History during the summer of 2009 giving visitors the opportunity to experience the unique flavor of the region in a magnificent setting.
2009 Event Schedule
Gregory Day Kick-Off Event May 2, 2009
Celebrate the man who started it all and became a millionaire in the process.
The Governor's mansion is proud to host the150th Anniversary kick-off event
in grand style. The kickoff will feature costumed performers, music, food and
prizes with a special opportunity to be bused to Central City for the evening.
Flag Day Ceremony June 14
Join the community as Gilpin County hangs its newly refurbished 38-star
flag in the Gilpin County Courthouse.
Lou Bunch Days June 20
Celebrate the life and times of Central City's last legal madam during the
35th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day and World Famous Bed Race.
Central City Opera 4th of July Matinee July 4
Central City Opera will host a special July 4th opening of Stephen Sondheim's
A Little Night Music
Mountain Man Weekend July 11-12
Hosted by the communities of Rollinsville and Lincoln Hills Resort, this event
showcases the skills needed to survive in the rough mountain terrain during
the early gold rush. Take part in the fun and watch mountain man re-enactors,
black powder competitions, tomahawk throwing and blacksmithing demonstrations.
The weekend will also feature special ghost town tours and historic tours of
Lincoln Hills Resort.
Gilpin CountyFilm Festival August 8
What better place to view silent western movies than in an authentic
barn theater! This is a rare opportunity to learn about silent western films from
the collector as well as view modern classics filmed in Gilpin County.
Mining Days Weekend September 5-6
Celebrate Colorado's mining history with gold panning, burro races,
cemetery crawls, a Miner's Ball, tours of the Hidee Mine and a one of a
kind gem and mineral show!
For more Information and a complete event schedule, visit
www.gilpin150.com or call the Gilpin County Historical Society at 303.582.5283.
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