Central City
1902 - (www.photoswest.org)
Central City is located in the Rocky Mountains, 35 miles west of Denver. It is at the southern end of Gilpin
County at an elevation of 8, 496 feet.
In 1859, John Gregory discovered "The Gregory Lode" in a gulch near Central City. Within two weeks, the gold
rush was on and within two months the population grew to 10,000 people seeking their fortunes.
William Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News, and some companions pitched their tents on open ground
squarely in the center of the mining district. Thus Central City was born and was soon the leading mining center
in Colorado. It came to be known as "The Richest Square Mile On Earth". Gregory’s discovery is commemorated
by a stone monument at the eastern end of the city.
In 1874 most of the buildings in Central City were destroyed by fire. The town was rebuilt, this time of brick and
stone; most of these stand today.
http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/
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Ghost tours of the haunted Golden Rose Victorian Hotel 2006!
Spend this Halloween with real ghosts! Learn about the spirits in Central City, and why The Golden Rose is
internationally known for hauntings.
Tour with paranormal expert.
Space limited ~~ reservations suggested.
Hotel packages available.
Price: $15
Call for exact dates and times: (303) 582-3737
The Golden Rose Hotel and Event Center
101 Main Street
Central City
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Central City Ghost Tours- from Farrout Penndragon Investigations
Presented by ParaFPI and Central City Sweet Shoppe
Call (303) 255-3995
Included: The Glory Hole, Golden Rose Victorian Hotel, Doc Holliday's, the Visitor Center, and many more.
In the tradition of charity and fright combined, we proudly present this year's Haunts of Central City walking
tours.
We are doubling our efforts for the preservation of Central City … and we welcome everyone along! A full circuit
of the city, with extended buildings full of ghosts, stories, and legends included in this tour. Our guides are
knowledgeable and will help to guide you all through finding your own paranormal evidence. We hope you can
join us and bring your imagination.
Drea Penndragon & Sarah Willig
ParaFPI (Formerly Farrout Penndragon Investigations)
303-255-3995
Po Box 370074
Denver, Co 80237
http://www.parafpi.com/
iwubu@comcast.net
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Note:
The "Ghosts of Gilpin" Candlelight readings- at the Gilpin History Museum have, unfortunately, been cancelled
indefinitely.
GILPIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P O Box 247, 228 High Street, Central City, Colorado
228 E High Street, Central City, CO (303) 582-5283
gchs@ecentral.com
http://www.coloradomuseums.org/eventsho.htm
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Cemetery Tours
A great place for a picnic lunch before the Opera! Join in the annual Cemetery Crawl each August.
Walk through the historic I00F Cemetery with costumed guides and visit “Spirits of the Past”.
Contact 303 582-5283 for more information.
In 1953, Leola H. Blanchard transcribed headstone inscriptions from over 2,000 headstones in existence in 11
of the 12 cemeteries in the county. Even then, there were hundreds of unmarked graves.
Cemeteries
I.0.0.F. Lodge Cemetery
Located in Central City following out Eureka Street just past the Boodle Mine.
Bald Mountain Cemetery
The Town Board of Nevadaville founded the Bald Mountain Cemetery in the summer of 1877. The oldest
tombstone predates the founding of the cemetery by 12 years. Another 17 tombstone inscriptions predate the
cemetery’s opening in 1877. Apparently, a number of caskets were transferred here from other burial grounds.
Cemetery records are now housed at the county courthouse.
Catholic Cemetery
Central City Cemetery
The first City of Central cemetery was located on East 4 th High Street in Central City. It was in the way of the
mining activity and relocated to its present location in 1862.
Dory Hill Cemetery
The first burial in Dory Hill was in 1859. However, the oldest tombstone inscription found by Mrs. Blanchard was
Stephen T. Tibbits, died March 5, 1863, aged 30 years. Dory Hill Cemetery is owned by the City of Black Hawk.
Foresters Cemetery
Knights of Pythias Cemetery
Masonic Cemetery
Red Men Cemetery
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GHOSTS OF GILPIN GETAWAY -- REST IN PEACE AT THE *Haunted* HOOPER
HOMESTEAD!
Stay with us and enjoy spirit walks and guided ghost tours during the month of October. Delight your soul in a
self guided spirit walk throughout the Cemetery District of Central City.
Visit the spirits of the 1800’s in any of the seven cemeteries around the area. Guided Ghost Tours in selected
haunted buildings of Historic Downtown Central City will be available most weekends.
Go on the "Up The Gulch" walking tour around "The Richest Square Mile on Earth" or just visit and shop along
Main Street Central. Afterwards, refresh your own spirits at the Blissful Spirit Day Spa on site with an intuitive
Geomancy Life Reading.
We offer a wide range of Spa Services including massage, facials and body treatments. Come and stay two
nights at the Hooper Homestead Guest Quarters, enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast, two Geomancy Life
Readings with Pat, Ghost Walks and a soak in the hot tub afterwards under the moon. Dates: October 1 -
October 31. Cost: Mid-Week $269.00/ Weekends $299.00 (based on double occupancy; tax not included.)
Hooper Homestead Guest Quarters (Christine Pollock & Pat Ballantyne)
Address: 2555 W. 37th Ave., Central City, CO 80427
URL: http://www.hooperhomestead.com
E-mail: christine@hooperhomestead.com
Local: 303-582-5828
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Hauntings
Chateau L'Acadienne Bed & Breakfast
325 Spring Street
Central City CO 80427
303-582-5209
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/colorado/chateau-lacadienne.html
Innkeepers: James & Shirley Voorhies
Chateau L'Acadienne (Big House of the Cajun) was built in the late 1870's during the height of the gold mining
era. The house was originally built by John R. Morgan with "Hooper" brick and stone. Recent renovations have
restored the home to meet the needs of the weary traveler.
James and Shirley Voorhies are the resident owners of the chateau. Throughout the chateau, ten foot high
ceilings are adorned with decorative moldings and fine antique chandeliers. Each guest room is uniquely
decorated in either Victorian English or Louisiana French Decor. Guests are treated to a beautiful view of the
hills and mining district surrounding Central City.
To enjoy the accomodations, guests are invited to relax in the elegance of their boudoir or enjoy the panoramic
views from the sitting areas outside the chateau. Guests will also enjoy "Lagniappe" (lan-yap), the Cajun French
tradition of the host providing "a little extra" to the customer.
Central City bed and breakfast owners James and Shirley Voorhies, don't know what to think of their ghosts.
The couple bought a 120-year-old home in Central City and opened it as the Chateau L'Acadienne bed-and-
breakfast. Less than a month later, a guest greeted them at the breakfast table with the pronouncement, "You
have a ghost."
Since then, several other guests have reported that their jewelry or keys had been moved from one side of the
room to another during the night.
When a former owner of the house stopped by to see the house, Shirley heard the story of "Gwendolyn," which
the couple now believes to be their resident spirit.
"She's a very playful ghost, I know that," Voorhies said. "We've found keys on the bed, on the floor. We haven't
seen her yet, but some people who have say she's a young woman dressed in elegant 1890s attire and often
seen playing with a string of beads."
Source: Denver Post- March 26, 1996 Section: Living Page: E-01 Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff
Writer
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"Child Ghost of Missouri Flats"
Missouri Flats Cemetery
According to Jeff Casey, several county sheriffs have reported seeing a small child in the area of the new C
and D parking lots south of Central City. Nearby is a child's grave marked "Clara A., daughter of F.S. and D.F.
Dulaney, died July 5, 1865 age 1 year 12 days."
On a separate occasion, a Central City gambling shuttle driver was driving past the grave and heard three
distinct knocks on the outside of the shuttle bus.
"Could it be the ghost of Clara or another unknown child whose grave has been disturbed by the recent
activities in Central City?"
Source: The Denver Post- March 26, 1996
Section: Living Page: E-01
Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff Writer
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"The Columbine Lady”
The ghost of Masonic Cemetery
Every April 5th and November 1st a beautiful woman in a black satin dress appears and places columbine
flowers on the grave on John Edward Cameron, her lover, who is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Central City,
Colorado.
Once 12 people gathered together at Cameron's grave on November 1st to see the ghost. At sunset, she
appeared as always. Two men tried to grab her, but she flew off and vanished on a hill not far from the cemetery.
If creepy is, indeed, what you clamor for, mark your calendar for Nov. 1 and head on up to Central City, where,
like clockwork, the Lady in Black - believed to be a jilted lover or surviving fiancee of John Edward Cameron, who
died at age 28 - visits her lover's grave site, adorning it with flowers. Or for an encore, stop by April 5, when she
performs the ritual again.
SOURCES: http://www.rootsweb.com
(Rocky Mountain News- Sat. Oct. 18th, 2003)
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Teller House
120 Eureka
(303) 582-9608
Photo from: www.rootsweb.com
This building houses the famous and mysterious "Face on the Barroom Floor" painting, done by Herndon Davis
in 1934. This lovely painting is carefully maintained today.
Legend has it that the woman’s likeness was painted by a distraught miner when his wife died of consumption.
As the story goes, the miner drank himself into a stupor and then proceeded to paint his wife’s portrait on the
floor. Speaking tenderly of her, he painted long into the night and on to past noon. Once the artist was
finished, he slept, never to wake again. Buried next to his beloved wife, witnesses say that on the anniversary of
his death, the couple can be heard talking tenderly to each other through her portrait on the floor.
At the Teller House, some people have reported seeing the ghost of a blond woman who is believed to be the
wife of a man who beat her in the late 1890s after seeing her talking to another man.
Dolores Spellman, a Teller House tour guide, says she doesn't believe in ghosts herself, but "friendly spirits" are
another story.
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The Teller House, owned and ooperated by the Central City Opera House Foundation, is used primarily for
offices, rehersal rooms, archival storage, etc. for the Opera. The Opera Association moved their gift shop and
ticket office into the building this Spring. It is normally open during the opera season - late June through mid-
August.
The casino did close several years ago and the Historical Society conducted tours in the building, but that
arrangement has ceased for this year.
Face on the Barroom Floor
Visit the historic Face Bar in the Teller House and see the legendary painting of the beautiful Madeline on the
barroom floor.
In 1872 the Teller House Hotel was built and was said to be the finest hotel west of the Mississippi River. In 1873
President Ulysses S. Grant came to see his friend Henry Teller (who became the first senator from Colorado and
later, Secretary of the Interior under President Chester Arthur) and his new hotel.
To impress the president, mine owners decided to lay 26 ingots of solid silver to make a path to the entrance to
the Teller House so President Grant wouldn’t have to dirty his boots when he stepped from his carriage. Legend
has it that Grant became angry when he saw the silver bars and walked up the boardwalk instead. At that time,
Congress was debating whether gold or silver should back the dollar, any no way would he show favoritism, he
said.
SOURCES:
www.coloradomuseums.org
www.legendsofamerica.com
The Denver Post- Spirited Times Gilpin County gambling boom brings out new, old ghost stories- March 26,
1996 Section: Living Page: E-01
Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff Writer
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Note:
The Teller House Casino has closed its doors as of yesterday, July 13, 2005.
No information as to why or if/when it may re-open is available.
There's a sign on the door that says Players Club memebers can redeem their points and coupons at Scarlet's
Casino in Central City.
In the News
Teller House slots shut down amid boom in Central City
Location may have played a role
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News
July 13, 2005
A casino that opened just a few months ago in Central City's Teller House shut down its slot machines early
Monday, marking the second time a gaming parlor has gone out of business in the historic building.
While an executive for the casino's operating company did not return phone calls seeking comment, a
spokesman for the state's gaming division confirmed the establishment had ceased operating its slots.
The closure comes at a time when Central City's fortunes are on the upswing. The city's overall gaming
revenues have surged, due largely to the opening of a parkway from Interstate 70 that allows gamblers to
bypass rival Black Hawk and go directly to Central City.
"It's baffling to me," Joe Behm, president of Central City's Business Improvement District, said of the casino's
closing. "All indications are everyone in Central City's doing very well. Road (traffic) counts are up. Revenues
are up."
Added Central City Mayor Buddy Schmalz: "It's not like Central City's business is leveling out. Business is
booming."
The Teller House bar and food service remain open for operagoers and tourists, and the casino's operator
maintains its lease, according to Valerie Hamlin, events manager and spokeswoman for the adjacent Central
City Opera, whose endowment owns Teller House.
Some gaming executives speculated the casino likely suffered from its location, a short walk up a hill from
parking lots located closer to the Main Street gaming establishments.
"I'm sure location probably was some factor," said Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming
Association. "I don't know the specifics."
The casino had 200 slot machines and was operated by 3C Gaming Inc., which also opened Scarlet's Casino in
February at the site of the former Bullwhacker's Casino on Main Street.
Eddie Lynn, 3C Gaming's chief executive was one of the investors in the first casino to set up shop in the Teller
House in the 1990s, a venture that involved a $14 million investment.
In February, Lynn said his company had pumped about $13 million into renovations and other equipment for
both Scarlet's and the Teller House. Outfitting an old building for gaming can be costly, given the need for
surveillance equipment and all the extra wiring and reinforced flooring required for slot machines.
Without lots of traffic, fees charged by the city also can add up. Central City casinos pay $1,265 a year in fees
on each gaming device they operate, which amounted to more than $250,000 annually for the Teller House's
200 slots.
When Teller House Casino opened in February, Lynn had ambitious plans to open Madeline's, a fine dining
restaurant aimed in part at opera patrons. It was to be named after the woman said to be depicted in the famous
"face on the barroom floor" painting in the Teller House.
"The restaurant did not open," said Hamlin, the spokeswoman for the Central City Opera House Association.
The opera, whose season runs through the summer, had welcomed the addition of an upscale restaurant for
opera patrons, who have long complained about the lack of nearby restaurants to visit either before or after
performances
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Central City Opera House
120 Eureka Street
303-292-6700
http://new.centralcityopera.org/index.cgi
The Central City Opera House spreads a famous tale of Billy Hamilton, an Irish doorman and caretaker who
lived there in the 1930s and sometimes is credited with pranks and other strange doings in the building.
"I knew Billy Hamilton and I'm sure he is here," Spellman said. "Some guys behind the bar say they've seen Billy.
Well, if they say they've seen him, who am I to say they didn't?"
Among the remaining troupes of the Opera House was s a miner turned stage performer by the name of Mike
Dougherty, who was a favorite in 1865. Unfortunately, like many residents of this rough and tumble frontier
town, Dougherty drank himself to death. Apparently, Mike's love of the stage has caused him to linger.
Over the years, numerous back-stage visitors have reported being nearly overwhelmed with the strong (but
fleeting) odor of alcohol, which is sometimes accompanied by a stout nudge on the shoulder, or by their hair
being lightly ruffled from behind.
While Dougherty seems to be a friendly ghost, the living are always considerably startled when they turn to look
and realize that they are alone in the darkened corridor.
Other reported occurrences have included strange flickering orbs of light that seem to float across a darkened
stage and then vanish into the wings.
The distinct sound of footsteps is also heard in the balcony, thought to be those of a long departed female
patron, Occasional cold spots have been felt which move from one corner to the next backstage. Nearly all of
these occurrences have been reported when the theater is dark and not in use for performances.
SOURCE: www.legendsofamerica.com
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Source of the following article: www.thefencepost.com Story by Becky Talley
Central City: gold, gambling & ... ghosts?
His name is Billy. He is a resident of Central City, Colo., and has been the caretaker of the Opera House in
this one-time mining village, turned ghost town, turned gambling berg, high in the Rocky Mountains. Billy has
seen his fair share of actors, gold seekers and visitors come through the town. He enjoys a good chew, and is,
in fact, never without his can of dip. Billy always likes to meet new people, in fact, he insists on introductions and
if you don’t comply, like any gentleman, he does not consider it polite. There is only one thing about Billy that
sets him apart from other men: when you introduce yourself his handshake may be a bit cold and clammy, that is
if you can actually see or feel the hand of a dead man!
Billy is one of the many spirits that still roam the historic buildings and streets of Central City. According to the
Gilpin Historical Society Web site (http://www. coloradomuseums. com/gilpin.htm), in “1859, John Gregory
discovered ‘The Gregory Lode’ in a gulch near Central City ... Within two months the population grew to 10,000
people seeking their fortunes.” This one-time booming mining town played out many dramas within its city walls
with a cast of players from miners to soiled doves and even famous outlaws who strolled the bustling 1800s
streets. However, like many boom towns, Central City eventually went bust with only the memories to replay
themselves within the quiet buildings and deserted streets. Or was it only the memories that were alive in the
town? It appears that this berg was never quite abandoned by its original residents. The people of this historical
town have been celebrating the big haul, drowning their sorrows after going bust, gambling and carousing since
the mining days, though very few of them have been living for several decades.
I found myself strolling through this piece of Colorado history in search of another story for some exciting
reading for the Fence Post Halloween issue. The mysterious and eerie have always held a fascination for me,
so, of course, I jumped at the chance to scare something up in the former mining town.
I was able to view some of the town’s most haunted locations thanks to the Haunts of Central City Tour 2004 put
on by the Farrout Penndragon Investigations and The Sweet Shop.
The tour began in the Central City Opera House, a grand building that has hosted the likes of Mae West and
Christopher Reeves. However, on this October evening, the Opera House played host to a very different crowd.
Once in the house, the tour group was asked to introduce itself to “Billy,” only one of the house ghosts we were
to be introduced to in the Opera House.
As mentioned before, Billy was the caretaker of the Opera House. The young man, who was known to always
carry Copenhagen chew, suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. However, no matter the fate he met, his spirit
returned to protect the Opera House. Billy is a stickler for introductions and doesn’t appear to take kindly to
those who do not comply. The guide related that a man once adamantly refused to introduce himself to the
spirit. While walking around the opera house, the man claimed he was tripped by something, which resulted in a
broken nose for this brazen soul. When the investigation into the accident occurred, nothing was found to
explain the mishap, nothing, that is, except for a smashed, empty can of Copenhagen chew!
Two other spirits are reported to have also made the Opera House their favorite haunt, or at least they used to.
One still thought to be around is the builder of the house who has mysteriously shown up once to make repairs
to the roof. The other entity apparently hitched a ride down to a new home with a family that visited the Opera
House. His name is John and he was easily recognized by the smell of cigar smoke that would waft through the
air whenever he appeared. The family came to the Opera House and decided to try to initiate contact with John.
When they went home, they found that many strange things started happening in their house. This family didn’t
pay a second thought to the occurrences until they began to smell the pungent odor of cigar smoke in their
home. John has not been seen at the Opera House since.
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The Belvidere Theatre
139 Nevada Street
Above photo from: The Opera Houses of Old Colorado website
http://operapronto.home.comcast.net/houses.html
The following story is from: www.thefencepost.com By Becky Talley
The Belvidere was the first opera house built in Central City in hopes of drawing acting troupes from New York
to its stage. It was built by Henry Teller, a prominent man in Central City who became the first senator from
Colorado and later, Secretary of the Interior under President Chester Arthur. (Teller also now reportedly spends
his days haunting the building.) The Belvidere was built in 1874 after a large fire swept through Central City
burning down most of the structures.
Unfortunately for Teller, the Belvidere was not as successful as hoped and the present Opera House was built
because the Belvidere was found to be too small.
The tour was seated in the audience section of the theatre, looking to the stage, as many done for over a
century, as we listened to tales of the spirits that lurk in the shadows of the Belvidere.
Within the Belvidere, there was a bar and rooms where soiled doves plied their trade. A prominent figure in the
bar was that of a woman named Kate, a woman who was facially disfigured in a bar fight.
Her ghost is reported to still haunt the establishment, though it has been a long time since it has served its last
drink. In fact, a psychic was reported to have visited the theatre to try to establish contact with any soul who may
have chosen it as its permanent home. The woman reported to have contacted as many as 45 spirits, according
to the tour guides, one of which was a large woman with a disfigured face.
At this point in the tour, I suddenly realized how downright chilly the air was getting. The theatre itself had no
heating, so the cool temperature was no surprise. However, the chills that were sweeping over me were not of
the cold weather kind. The hair on the back of my neck was standing on end and my skin was beginning to
crawl. Now, let me tell you, feeling something like this is not pleasant. It is, in fact, downright eerie, and I was
soon given a possible explanation for my sudden case of the heebie-jeebies.
The tour guide directed our attention to a section of a balcony about 10 feet to my right and just above my head.
Apparently, I was closer to a ghostly site than I had intended to be, and it felt like the ghost was looking over the
railing and right through me!
The guide related that this ghost has been identified as a woman named Flora or Florence and was once one of
Big Nose Kate’s soiled doves who worked the rooms off the stage. Previously, a tour guide was able to make
contact with her with the aid of dowsing rods, and the ghost related her bitter tale. Apparently, she claims that
she was murdered by another one of the girls that worked the theatre. Possibly in an attempt to right her horrible
death, she continues to this day to ask people for help from beyond the grave.
Another spirit is found in a back corner of the building (further away from my seat, thank goodness), and,
according to communications with “Flora,” does not like visitors in the theatre. He is believed to be either a stage
hand or director who feels very strongly about the building. The Belvidere was used for a movie theatre for a
short time and the projector was put in the general area the ghost chooses to haunt. During this time, there was
rarely a time when a movie would be played in its entirety without something going wrong with the projector. Did
the machine have a little extra “help” from a projectionist from beyond the grave?
At this point in the tour, all of us ghost hunters were able to walk around the theatre and see what we could
scare up. I steeled my nerves to make my way to the corner of the unfriendly man and Flora’s balcony.
Once I set foot on the stairs where the man is reported to be, I instantly felt a sense of dread. There was a little
voice inside that not-so-calmly told me it may be time to rethink this whole ghost thing and leave while I still
could. I felt like there was someone behind me on the stairs and even turned around several times to see if I was
in someone’s way. Of course, when I turned around no one was behind me, so I decided leave that area and
take my chances with Flora instead.
When I got to her favorite spot, I met a group of people standing in a circle. All had their hands in the center of
the group and informed me that the air was colder there than anywhere else in the theatre. Being game, I stuck
my hand in the circle and the temperature did feel colder, but what really creeped us all out was that the air felt
like it was vibrating. Now, this building is drafty and we could have convinced ourselves that we felt something
that wasn’t there, but no matter what the explanation, I knew it was time to get the heck out of Dodge. I stopped
just short of plowing people over on my way to the door.
Others had the same experience. Tour participants Tricia Bergeron of Littleton and Barbara Padilla of Lakewood
reported that they smelled something in Flora’s area. There have been no other reports of any scents around
Flora’s balcony, but try to tell that to those few who did smell it! Barbara also reported to feel someone on the
stairs, just like I did.
Once outside of the Belvidere and back into autumn air at the end of the tour, the hair on the back of my neck
began to stand down. What a great way to spend a spooky October evening!
On my drive back down the mountain to home, I ran through the stories of the spirits who have chosen to stay
on in Central City for eternity, and was joltingly reminded that there was one exception. John, the Opera House
ghost, reportedly decided to give up his familiar settings to haunt a family at their home.
All at once I was set at unease again (the hair on my arms shot to the ceiling), and, though I felt silly, I quickly
scanned my car for any ghostly passengers. Was I bringing anything home that I didn’t take with me to Central
City? Was Flora riding shotgun in hopes that I could finally give her the help she so desperately seeks? Were
those strange noises I heard in my house that night just a case of overactive imagination? I guess that may
remain a secret that the ghosts of Central City will take to their graves, literally!
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In the News:
City of Black Hawk
Nov. 19th, 2003
http://www.cityofblackhawk.org
CENTRAL CITY, CO
The City of Black Hawk and Central City town fathers joined forces today in a first step to develop Central City’s
Belvidere Theatre into a regional community center.
More than century ago, The Belvidere served as a public hall and theatre -- years before the Central City Opera
House opened its doors in 1878. Today, the City of Black Hawk purchased the tax lien on the Belvidere Theatre
and Concert Hall along with the adjacent Shoo Fly saloon.
This action is part of a long-term plan to develop the area into a family-friendly destination resort, said Al Price,
Alderman from the City of Black Hawk. "Central City and Black Hawk will always be individual cities with individual
histories but restoring and preserving the Belvidere will go a long way toward making the area more of a
community,” he said. “Buying and restoring the Belvidere Theatre will do a great deal to keep the culture of the
area community alive." He said the City of Black Hawk plans to preserve this historic site to its former glory and
to use the Belvidere as a community center for the region.
"I've been in the non-profit sector for 35 years and I've never seen a strong relationship develop out of a tax
lien, but I think the two communities have found a number of reasons to come together and there is all sorts of
potential in the development of a relationship between Central City and Black Hawk,” said Bob Harvey, Board
Member for Belvidere Theatre. It is a step in the right direction."
Several spoke out in favor of the plan to bring the Belvidere back to life as a community hub:
"The Belvidere is one of the jewels of Central City, said Patricia Holcomb of Colorado Preservation, Inc.
“Colorado Preservation, Inc. is pleased to see Black Hawk and Central City working together to restore this
theatre. The project falls in perfect line with efforts on the part of many to revitalize and diversify the Central City
economy."
Mayor of Central City Buddy Schmalz said Central City is enthusiastic about the possibilities of working to restore
the Belvidere and appreciates the efforts of Black Hawk.
In past years, the Belvidere has been in various stages of disrepair since it first served as a cultural center for
Central City in the 1800s. In 1878, the Central City Opera House replaced the Belvidere Theatre as the opera
hot spot with greater seating capacity for 700 people.
The City of Black Hawk will begin historic preservation and reconstruction when the tax lien period expires.
The white brick and stone Belvidere is located in the heart of Central City’s business district, just a few doors
around the corner from the Central City Opera House. It was built by Colorado’s first Senator Henry Teller and
Judge Silas B. Hahn for use as a meeting hall and theatre. It opened in August of 1875 with the New York
Comedy Troup performing “The Bohemian Girl.”
The structure later became a stable with a feed and coal store, then home to the Central Bottling Works, the
Fire Department, the Colorado militia, the Central City Garage and dealership, and a basketball court and
recreation center. In 1972, a restored theatre was opened for “Dinner and a Movie” and in 1975, the theatre was
used for the filming of “Duchess and the Dirt Water Fox” starring Goldie Hawn and George Segal.
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Old theater to ring in a new year Gala will echo off 124-year-old walls and rafters
Author: George Lane - Denver Post Staff Writer
The Belvidere Theatre and Concert Hall is actually located in two buildings on Nevada Street just around the
corner from Main Street in this historic mining town turned limited-stakes gambling town.
The oldest of the buildings is Wisebart Hall, which opened in 1865 and became the home of the Shoo Fly Saloon.
"The Shoo Fly Saloon was run by Big Nose Kate who was always in trouble with city officials because her
employees worked in various stages of undress," said Bob Harvey, the man who has taken the responsibility of
putting the Belvidere back on its feet.
Upstairs or in back of the Shoo Fly were a few rooms where the women associated with the establishment were
known to entertain, and there was a side door that made it possible for certain city officials to enter without being
observed by the more respectable women of the town.
Bat Masterson, who had a bar down in Creede, is said to have gotten in trouble with one of the Shoo Fly girls.
Anyway, because it was one of the few buildings made of brick, Wisebart Hall was the only building on the south
end of town to survive the fires of 1873 and 1874 that pretty much burned down everything else.
The Belvidere opened adjacent to Wisebart Hall in August 1875 after Henry Teller and J.B. Hahn decided the
town needed a theater. While entertainment went on on the second floor, the first was devoted to retail shops.
The 450-seat theater was such a success that in 1878 it was replaced by the Central City opera house, down
the street and around the corner on Eureka Street. After the opera house opened, the theater building was the
home of a variety of enterprises.
December 29, 1999
Old theater to ring in a new year Gala will echo off 124-year-old walls and rafters
Author: George Lane - Denver Post Staff Writer
Back to home page
1902 - (www.photoswest.org)
Central City is located in the Rocky Mountains, 35 miles west of Denver. It is at the southern end of Gilpin
County at an elevation of 8, 496 feet.
In 1859, John Gregory discovered "The Gregory Lode" in a gulch near Central City. Within two weeks, the gold
rush was on and within two months the population grew to 10,000 people seeking their fortunes.
William Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News, and some companions pitched their tents on open ground
squarely in the center of the mining district. Thus Central City was born and was soon the leading mining center
in Colorado. It came to be known as "The Richest Square Mile On Earth". Gregory’s discovery is commemorated
by a stone monument at the eastern end of the city.
In 1874 most of the buildings in Central City were destroyed by fire. The town was rebuilt, this time of brick and
stone; most of these stand today.
http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/
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Ghost tours of the haunted Golden Rose Victorian Hotel 2006!
Spend this Halloween with real ghosts! Learn about the spirits in Central City, and why The Golden Rose is
internationally known for hauntings.
Tour with paranormal expert.
Space limited ~~ reservations suggested.
Hotel packages available.
Price: $15
Call for exact dates and times: (303) 582-3737
The Golden Rose Hotel and Event Center
101 Main Street
Central City
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Central City Ghost Tours- from Farrout Penndragon Investigations
Presented by ParaFPI and Central City Sweet Shoppe
Call (303) 255-3995
Included: The Glory Hole, Golden Rose Victorian Hotel, Doc Holliday's, the Visitor Center, and many more.
In the tradition of charity and fright combined, we proudly present this year's Haunts of Central City walking
tours.
We are doubling our efforts for the preservation of Central City … and we welcome everyone along! A full circuit
of the city, with extended buildings full of ghosts, stories, and legends included in this tour. Our guides are
knowledgeable and will help to guide you all through finding your own paranormal evidence. We hope you can
join us and bring your imagination.
Drea Penndragon & Sarah Willig
ParaFPI (Formerly Farrout Penndragon Investigations)
303-255-3995
Po Box 370074
Denver, Co 80237
http://www.parafpi.com/
iwubu@comcast.net
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Note:
The "Ghosts of Gilpin" Candlelight readings- at the Gilpin History Museum have, unfortunately, been cancelled
indefinitely.
GILPIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P O Box 247, 228 High Street, Central City, Colorado
228 E High Street, Central City, CO (303) 582-5283
gchs@ecentral.com
http://www.coloradomuseums.org/eventsho.htm
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Cemetery Tours
A great place for a picnic lunch before the Opera! Join in the annual Cemetery Crawl each August.
Walk through the historic I00F Cemetery with costumed guides and visit “Spirits of the Past”.
Contact 303 582-5283 for more information.
In 1953, Leola H. Blanchard transcribed headstone inscriptions from over 2,000 headstones in existence in 11
of the 12 cemeteries in the county. Even then, there were hundreds of unmarked graves.
Cemeteries
I.0.0.F. Lodge Cemetery
Located in Central City following out Eureka Street just past the Boodle Mine.
Bald Mountain Cemetery
The Town Board of Nevadaville founded the Bald Mountain Cemetery in the summer of 1877. The oldest
tombstone predates the founding of the cemetery by 12 years. Another 17 tombstone inscriptions predate the
cemetery’s opening in 1877. Apparently, a number of caskets were transferred here from other burial grounds.
Cemetery records are now housed at the county courthouse.
Catholic Cemetery
Central City Cemetery
The first City of Central cemetery was located on East 4 th High Street in Central City. It was in the way of the
mining activity and relocated to its present location in 1862.
Dory Hill Cemetery
The first burial in Dory Hill was in 1859. However, the oldest tombstone inscription found by Mrs. Blanchard was
Stephen T. Tibbits, died March 5, 1863, aged 30 years. Dory Hill Cemetery is owned by the City of Black Hawk.
Foresters Cemetery
Knights of Pythias Cemetery
Masonic Cemetery
Red Men Cemetery
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GHOSTS OF GILPIN GETAWAY -- REST IN PEACE AT THE *Haunted* HOOPER
HOMESTEAD!
Stay with us and enjoy spirit walks and guided ghost tours during the month of October. Delight your soul in a
self guided spirit walk throughout the Cemetery District of Central City.
Visit the spirits of the 1800’s in any of the seven cemeteries around the area. Guided Ghost Tours in selected
haunted buildings of Historic Downtown Central City will be available most weekends.
Go on the "Up The Gulch" walking tour around "The Richest Square Mile on Earth" or just visit and shop along
Main Street Central. Afterwards, refresh your own spirits at the Blissful Spirit Day Spa on site with an intuitive
Geomancy Life Reading.
We offer a wide range of Spa Services including massage, facials and body treatments. Come and stay two
nights at the Hooper Homestead Guest Quarters, enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast, two Geomancy Life
Readings with Pat, Ghost Walks and a soak in the hot tub afterwards under the moon. Dates: October 1 -
October 31. Cost: Mid-Week $269.00/ Weekends $299.00 (based on double occupancy; tax not included.)
Hooper Homestead Guest Quarters (Christine Pollock & Pat Ballantyne)
Address: 2555 W. 37th Ave., Central City, CO 80427
URL: http://www.hooperhomestead.com
E-mail: christine@hooperhomestead.com
Local: 303-582-5828
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Hauntings
Chateau L'Acadienne Bed & Breakfast
325 Spring Street
Central City CO 80427
303-582-5209
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/colorado/chateau-lacadienne.html
Innkeepers: James & Shirley Voorhies
Chateau L'Acadienne (Big House of the Cajun) was built in the late 1870's during the height of the gold mining
era. The house was originally built by John R. Morgan with "Hooper" brick and stone. Recent renovations have
restored the home to meet the needs of the weary traveler.
James and Shirley Voorhies are the resident owners of the chateau. Throughout the chateau, ten foot high
ceilings are adorned with decorative moldings and fine antique chandeliers. Each guest room is uniquely
decorated in either Victorian English or Louisiana French Decor. Guests are treated to a beautiful view of the
hills and mining district surrounding Central City.
To enjoy the accomodations, guests are invited to relax in the elegance of their boudoir or enjoy the panoramic
views from the sitting areas outside the chateau. Guests will also enjoy "Lagniappe" (lan-yap), the Cajun French
tradition of the host providing "a little extra" to the customer.
Central City bed and breakfast owners James and Shirley Voorhies, don't know what to think of their ghosts.
The couple bought a 120-year-old home in Central City and opened it as the Chateau L'Acadienne bed-and-
breakfast. Less than a month later, a guest greeted them at the breakfast table with the pronouncement, "You
have a ghost."
Since then, several other guests have reported that their jewelry or keys had been moved from one side of the
room to another during the night.
When a former owner of the house stopped by to see the house, Shirley heard the story of "Gwendolyn," which
the couple now believes to be their resident spirit.
"She's a very playful ghost, I know that," Voorhies said. "We've found keys on the bed, on the floor. We haven't
seen her yet, but some people who have say she's a young woman dressed in elegant 1890s attire and often
seen playing with a string of beads."
Source: Denver Post- March 26, 1996 Section: Living Page: E-01 Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff
Writer
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"Child Ghost of Missouri Flats"
Missouri Flats Cemetery
According to Jeff Casey, several county sheriffs have reported seeing a small child in the area of the new C
and D parking lots south of Central City. Nearby is a child's grave marked "Clara A., daughter of F.S. and D.F.
Dulaney, died July 5, 1865 age 1 year 12 days."
On a separate occasion, a Central City gambling shuttle driver was driving past the grave and heard three
distinct knocks on the outside of the shuttle bus.
"Could it be the ghost of Clara or another unknown child whose grave has been disturbed by the recent
activities in Central City?"
Source: The Denver Post- March 26, 1996
Section: Living Page: E-01
Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff Writer
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"The Columbine Lady”
The ghost of Masonic Cemetery
Every April 5th and November 1st a beautiful woman in a black satin dress appears and places columbine
flowers on the grave on John Edward Cameron, her lover, who is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Central City,
Colorado.
Once 12 people gathered together at Cameron's grave on November 1st to see the ghost. At sunset, she
appeared as always. Two men tried to grab her, but she flew off and vanished on a hill not far from the cemetery.
If creepy is, indeed, what you clamor for, mark your calendar for Nov. 1 and head on up to Central City, where,
like clockwork, the Lady in Black - believed to be a jilted lover or surviving fiancee of John Edward Cameron, who
died at age 28 - visits her lover's grave site, adorning it with flowers. Or for an encore, stop by April 5, when she
performs the ritual again.
SOURCES: http://www.rootsweb.com
(Rocky Mountain News- Sat. Oct. 18th, 2003)
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Teller House
120 Eureka
(303) 582-9608
Photo from: www.rootsweb.com
This building houses the famous and mysterious "Face on the Barroom Floor" painting, done by Herndon Davis
in 1934. This lovely painting is carefully maintained today.
Legend has it that the woman’s likeness was painted by a distraught miner when his wife died of consumption.
As the story goes, the miner drank himself into a stupor and then proceeded to paint his wife’s portrait on the
floor. Speaking tenderly of her, he painted long into the night and on to past noon. Once the artist was
finished, he slept, never to wake again. Buried next to his beloved wife, witnesses say that on the anniversary of
his death, the couple can be heard talking tenderly to each other through her portrait on the floor.
At the Teller House, some people have reported seeing the ghost of a blond woman who is believed to be the
wife of a man who beat her in the late 1890s after seeing her talking to another man.
Dolores Spellman, a Teller House tour guide, says she doesn't believe in ghosts herself, but "friendly spirits" are
another story.
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The Teller House, owned and ooperated by the Central City Opera House Foundation, is used primarily for
offices, rehersal rooms, archival storage, etc. for the Opera. The Opera Association moved their gift shop and
ticket office into the building this Spring. It is normally open during the opera season - late June through mid-
August.
The casino did close several years ago and the Historical Society conducted tours in the building, but that
arrangement has ceased for this year.
Face on the Barroom Floor
Visit the historic Face Bar in the Teller House and see the legendary painting of the beautiful Madeline on the
barroom floor.
In 1872 the Teller House Hotel was built and was said to be the finest hotel west of the Mississippi River. In 1873
President Ulysses S. Grant came to see his friend Henry Teller (who became the first senator from Colorado and
later, Secretary of the Interior under President Chester Arthur) and his new hotel.
To impress the president, mine owners decided to lay 26 ingots of solid silver to make a path to the entrance to
the Teller House so President Grant wouldn’t have to dirty his boots when he stepped from his carriage. Legend
has it that Grant became angry when he saw the silver bars and walked up the boardwalk instead. At that time,
Congress was debating whether gold or silver should back the dollar, any no way would he show favoritism, he
said.
SOURCES:
www.coloradomuseums.org
www.legendsofamerica.com
The Denver Post- Spirited Times Gilpin County gambling boom brings out new, old ghost stories- March 26,
1996 Section: Living Page: E-01
Michelle Mahoney Denver Post Staff Writer
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Note:
The Teller House Casino has closed its doors as of yesterday, July 13, 2005.
No information as to why or if/when it may re-open is available.
There's a sign on the door that says Players Club memebers can redeem their points and coupons at Scarlet's
Casino in Central City.
In the News
Teller House slots shut down amid boom in Central City
Location may have played a role
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News
July 13, 2005
A casino that opened just a few months ago in Central City's Teller House shut down its slot machines early
Monday, marking the second time a gaming parlor has gone out of business in the historic building.
While an executive for the casino's operating company did not return phone calls seeking comment, a
spokesman for the state's gaming division confirmed the establishment had ceased operating its slots.
The closure comes at a time when Central City's fortunes are on the upswing. The city's overall gaming
revenues have surged, due largely to the opening of a parkway from Interstate 70 that allows gamblers to
bypass rival Black Hawk and go directly to Central City.
"It's baffling to me," Joe Behm, president of Central City's Business Improvement District, said of the casino's
closing. "All indications are everyone in Central City's doing very well. Road (traffic) counts are up. Revenues
are up."
Added Central City Mayor Buddy Schmalz: "It's not like Central City's business is leveling out. Business is
booming."
The Teller House bar and food service remain open for operagoers and tourists, and the casino's operator
maintains its lease, according to Valerie Hamlin, events manager and spokeswoman for the adjacent Central
City Opera, whose endowment owns Teller House.
Some gaming executives speculated the casino likely suffered from its location, a short walk up a hill from
parking lots located closer to the Main Street gaming establishments.
"I'm sure location probably was some factor," said Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming
Association. "I don't know the specifics."
The casino had 200 slot machines and was operated by 3C Gaming Inc., which also opened Scarlet's Casino in
February at the site of the former Bullwhacker's Casino on Main Street.
Eddie Lynn, 3C Gaming's chief executive was one of the investors in the first casino to set up shop in the Teller
House in the 1990s, a venture that involved a $14 million investment.
In February, Lynn said his company had pumped about $13 million into renovations and other equipment for
both Scarlet's and the Teller House. Outfitting an old building for gaming can be costly, given the need for
surveillance equipment and all the extra wiring and reinforced flooring required for slot machines.
Without lots of traffic, fees charged by the city also can add up. Central City casinos pay $1,265 a year in fees
on each gaming device they operate, which amounted to more than $250,000 annually for the Teller House's
200 slots.
When Teller House Casino opened in February, Lynn had ambitious plans to open Madeline's, a fine dining
restaurant aimed in part at opera patrons. It was to be named after the woman said to be depicted in the famous
"face on the barroom floor" painting in the Teller House.
"The restaurant did not open," said Hamlin, the spokeswoman for the Central City Opera House Association.
The opera, whose season runs through the summer, had welcomed the addition of an upscale restaurant for
opera patrons, who have long complained about the lack of nearby restaurants to visit either before or after
performances
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Central City Opera House
120 Eureka Street
303-292-6700
http://new.centralcityopera.org/index.cgi
The Central City Opera House spreads a famous tale of Billy Hamilton, an Irish doorman and caretaker who
lived there in the 1930s and sometimes is credited with pranks and other strange doings in the building.
"I knew Billy Hamilton and I'm sure he is here," Spellman said. "Some guys behind the bar say they've seen Billy.
Well, if they say they've seen him, who am I to say they didn't?"
Among the remaining troupes of the Opera House was s a miner turned stage performer by the name of Mike
Dougherty, who was a favorite in 1865. Unfortunately, like many residents of this rough and tumble frontier
town, Dougherty drank himself to death. Apparently, Mike's love of the stage has caused him to linger.
Over the years, numerous back-stage visitors have reported being nearly overwhelmed with the strong (but
fleeting) odor of alcohol, which is sometimes accompanied by a stout nudge on the shoulder, or by their hair
being lightly ruffled from behind.
While Dougherty seems to be a friendly ghost, the living are always considerably startled when they turn to look
and realize that they are alone in the darkened corridor.
Other reported occurrences have included strange flickering orbs of light that seem to float across a darkened
stage and then vanish into the wings.
The distinct sound of footsteps is also heard in the balcony, thought to be those of a long departed female
patron, Occasional cold spots have been felt which move from one corner to the next backstage. Nearly all of
these occurrences have been reported when the theater is dark and not in use for performances.
SOURCE: www.legendsofamerica.com
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Source of the following article: www.thefencepost.com Story by Becky Talley
Central City: gold, gambling & ... ghosts?
His name is Billy. He is a resident of Central City, Colo., and has been the caretaker of the Opera House in
this one-time mining village, turned ghost town, turned gambling berg, high in the Rocky Mountains. Billy has
seen his fair share of actors, gold seekers and visitors come through the town. He enjoys a good chew, and is,
in fact, never without his can of dip. Billy always likes to meet new people, in fact, he insists on introductions and
if you don’t comply, like any gentleman, he does not consider it polite. There is only one thing about Billy that
sets him apart from other men: when you introduce yourself his handshake may be a bit cold and clammy, that is
if you can actually see or feel the hand of a dead man!
Billy is one of the many spirits that still roam the historic buildings and streets of Central City. According to the
Gilpin Historical Society Web site (http://www. coloradomuseums. com/gilpin.htm), in “1859, John Gregory
discovered ‘The Gregory Lode’ in a gulch near Central City ... Within two months the population grew to 10,000
people seeking their fortunes.” This one-time booming mining town played out many dramas within its city walls
with a cast of players from miners to soiled doves and even famous outlaws who strolled the bustling 1800s
streets. However, like many boom towns, Central City eventually went bust with only the memories to replay
themselves within the quiet buildings and deserted streets. Or was it only the memories that were alive in the
town? It appears that this berg was never quite abandoned by its original residents. The people of this historical
town have been celebrating the big haul, drowning their sorrows after going bust, gambling and carousing since
the mining days, though very few of them have been living for several decades.
I found myself strolling through this piece of Colorado history in search of another story for some exciting
reading for the Fence Post Halloween issue. The mysterious and eerie have always held a fascination for me,
so, of course, I jumped at the chance to scare something up in the former mining town.
I was able to view some of the town’s most haunted locations thanks to the Haunts of Central City Tour 2004 put
on by the Farrout Penndragon Investigations and The Sweet Shop.
The tour began in the Central City Opera House, a grand building that has hosted the likes of Mae West and
Christopher Reeves. However, on this October evening, the Opera House played host to a very different crowd.
Once in the house, the tour group was asked to introduce itself to “Billy,” only one of the house ghosts we were
to be introduced to in the Opera House.
As mentioned before, Billy was the caretaker of the Opera House. The young man, who was known to always
carry Copenhagen chew, suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. However, no matter the fate he met, his spirit
returned to protect the Opera House. Billy is a stickler for introductions and doesn’t appear to take kindly to
those who do not comply. The guide related that a man once adamantly refused to introduce himself to the
spirit. While walking around the opera house, the man claimed he was tripped by something, which resulted in a
broken nose for this brazen soul. When the investigation into the accident occurred, nothing was found to
explain the mishap, nothing, that is, except for a smashed, empty can of Copenhagen chew!
Two other spirits are reported to have also made the Opera House their favorite haunt, or at least they used to.
One still thought to be around is the builder of the house who has mysteriously shown up once to make repairs
to the roof. The other entity apparently hitched a ride down to a new home with a family that visited the Opera
House. His name is John and he was easily recognized by the smell of cigar smoke that would waft through the
air whenever he appeared. The family came to the Opera House and decided to try to initiate contact with John.
When they went home, they found that many strange things started happening in their house. This family didn’t
pay a second thought to the occurrences until they began to smell the pungent odor of cigar smoke in their
home. John has not been seen at the Opera House since.
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The Belvidere Theatre
139 Nevada Street
Above photo from: The Opera Houses of Old Colorado website
http://operapronto.home.comcast.net/houses.html
The following story is from: www.thefencepost.com By Becky Talley
The Belvidere was the first opera house built in Central City in hopes of drawing acting troupes from New York
to its stage. It was built by Henry Teller, a prominent man in Central City who became the first senator from
Colorado and later, Secretary of the Interior under President Chester Arthur. (Teller also now reportedly spends
his days haunting the building.) The Belvidere was built in 1874 after a large fire swept through Central City
burning down most of the structures.
Unfortunately for Teller, the Belvidere was not as successful as hoped and the present Opera House was built
because the Belvidere was found to be too small.
The tour was seated in the audience section of the theatre, looking to the stage, as many done for over a
century, as we listened to tales of the spirits that lurk in the shadows of the Belvidere.
Within the Belvidere, there was a bar and rooms where soiled doves plied their trade. A prominent figure in the
bar was that of a woman named Kate, a woman who was facially disfigured in a bar fight.
Her ghost is reported to still haunt the establishment, though it has been a long time since it has served its last
drink. In fact, a psychic was reported to have visited the theatre to try to establish contact with any soul who may
have chosen it as its permanent home. The woman reported to have contacted as many as 45 spirits, according
to the tour guides, one of which was a large woman with a disfigured face.
At this point in the tour, I suddenly realized how downright chilly the air was getting. The theatre itself had no
heating, so the cool temperature was no surprise. However, the chills that were sweeping over me were not of
the cold weather kind. The hair on the back of my neck was standing on end and my skin was beginning to
crawl. Now, let me tell you, feeling something like this is not pleasant. It is, in fact, downright eerie, and I was
soon given a possible explanation for my sudden case of the heebie-jeebies.
The tour guide directed our attention to a section of a balcony about 10 feet to my right and just above my head.
Apparently, I was closer to a ghostly site than I had intended to be, and it felt like the ghost was looking over the
railing and right through me!
The guide related that this ghost has been identified as a woman named Flora or Florence and was once one of
Big Nose Kate’s soiled doves who worked the rooms off the stage. Previously, a tour guide was able to make
contact with her with the aid of dowsing rods, and the ghost related her bitter tale. Apparently, she claims that
she was murdered by another one of the girls that worked the theatre. Possibly in an attempt to right her horrible
death, she continues to this day to ask people for help from beyond the grave.
Another spirit is found in a back corner of the building (further away from my seat, thank goodness), and,
according to communications with “Flora,” does not like visitors in the theatre. He is believed to be either a stage
hand or director who feels very strongly about the building. The Belvidere was used for a movie theatre for a
short time and the projector was put in the general area the ghost chooses to haunt. During this time, there was
rarely a time when a movie would be played in its entirety without something going wrong with the projector. Did
the machine have a little extra “help” from a projectionist from beyond the grave?
At this point in the tour, all of us ghost hunters were able to walk around the theatre and see what we could
scare up. I steeled my nerves to make my way to the corner of the unfriendly man and Flora’s balcony.
Once I set foot on the stairs where the man is reported to be, I instantly felt a sense of dread. There was a little
voice inside that not-so-calmly told me it may be time to rethink this whole ghost thing and leave while I still
could. I felt like there was someone behind me on the stairs and even turned around several times to see if I was
in someone’s way. Of course, when I turned around no one was behind me, so I decided leave that area and
take my chances with Flora instead.
When I got to her favorite spot, I met a group of people standing in a circle. All had their hands in the center of
the group and informed me that the air was colder there than anywhere else in the theatre. Being game, I stuck
my hand in the circle and the temperature did feel colder, but what really creeped us all out was that the air felt
like it was vibrating. Now, this building is drafty and we could have convinced ourselves that we felt something
that wasn’t there, but no matter what the explanation, I knew it was time to get the heck out of Dodge. I stopped
just short of plowing people over on my way to the door.
Others had the same experience. Tour participants Tricia Bergeron of Littleton and Barbara Padilla of Lakewood
reported that they smelled something in Flora’s area. There have been no other reports of any scents around
Flora’s balcony, but try to tell that to those few who did smell it! Barbara also reported to feel someone on the
stairs, just like I did.
Once outside of the Belvidere and back into autumn air at the end of the tour, the hair on the back of my neck
began to stand down. What a great way to spend a spooky October evening!
On my drive back down the mountain to home, I ran through the stories of the spirits who have chosen to stay
on in Central City for eternity, and was joltingly reminded that there was one exception. John, the Opera House
ghost, reportedly decided to give up his familiar settings to haunt a family at their home.
All at once I was set at unease again (the hair on my arms shot to the ceiling), and, though I felt silly, I quickly
scanned my car for any ghostly passengers. Was I bringing anything home that I didn’t take with me to Central
City? Was Flora riding shotgun in hopes that I could finally give her the help she so desperately seeks? Were
those strange noises I heard in my house that night just a case of overactive imagination? I guess that may
remain a secret that the ghosts of Central City will take to their graves, literally!
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In the News:
City of Black Hawk
Nov. 19th, 2003
http://www.cityofblackhawk.org
CENTRAL CITY, CO
The City of Black Hawk and Central City town fathers joined forces today in a first step to develop Central City’s
Belvidere Theatre into a regional community center.
More than century ago, The Belvidere served as a public hall and theatre -- years before the Central City Opera
House opened its doors in 1878. Today, the City of Black Hawk purchased the tax lien on the Belvidere Theatre
and Concert Hall along with the adjacent Shoo Fly saloon.
This action is part of a long-term plan to develop the area into a family-friendly destination resort, said Al Price,
Alderman from the City of Black Hawk. "Central City and Black Hawk will always be individual cities with individual
histories but restoring and preserving the Belvidere will go a long way toward making the area more of a
community,” he said. “Buying and restoring the Belvidere Theatre will do a great deal to keep the culture of the
area community alive." He said the City of Black Hawk plans to preserve this historic site to its former glory and
to use the Belvidere as a community center for the region.
"I've been in the non-profit sector for 35 years and I've never seen a strong relationship develop out of a tax
lien, but I think the two communities have found a number of reasons to come together and there is all sorts of
potential in the development of a relationship between Central City and Black Hawk,” said Bob Harvey, Board
Member for Belvidere Theatre. It is a step in the right direction."
Several spoke out in favor of the plan to bring the Belvidere back to life as a community hub:
"The Belvidere is one of the jewels of Central City, said Patricia Holcomb of Colorado Preservation, Inc.
“Colorado Preservation, Inc. is pleased to see Black Hawk and Central City working together to restore this
theatre. The project falls in perfect line with efforts on the part of many to revitalize and diversify the Central City
economy."
Mayor of Central City Buddy Schmalz said Central City is enthusiastic about the possibilities of working to restore
the Belvidere and appreciates the efforts of Black Hawk.
In past years, the Belvidere has been in various stages of disrepair since it first served as a cultural center for
Central City in the 1800s. In 1878, the Central City Opera House replaced the Belvidere Theatre as the opera
hot spot with greater seating capacity for 700 people.
The City of Black Hawk will begin historic preservation and reconstruction when the tax lien period expires.
The white brick and stone Belvidere is located in the heart of Central City’s business district, just a few doors
around the corner from the Central City Opera House. It was built by Colorado’s first Senator Henry Teller and
Judge Silas B. Hahn for use as a meeting hall and theatre. It opened in August of 1875 with the New York
Comedy Troup performing “The Bohemian Girl.”
The structure later became a stable with a feed and coal store, then home to the Central Bottling Works, the
Fire Department, the Colorado militia, the Central City Garage and dealership, and a basketball court and
recreation center. In 1972, a restored theatre was opened for “Dinner and a Movie” and in 1975, the theatre was
used for the filming of “Duchess and the Dirt Water Fox” starring Goldie Hawn and George Segal.
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Old theater to ring in a new year Gala will echo off 124-year-old walls and rafters
Author: George Lane - Denver Post Staff Writer
The Belvidere Theatre and Concert Hall is actually located in two buildings on Nevada Street just around the
corner from Main Street in this historic mining town turned limited-stakes gambling town.
The oldest of the buildings is Wisebart Hall, which opened in 1865 and became the home of the Shoo Fly Saloon.
"The Shoo Fly Saloon was run by Big Nose Kate who was always in trouble with city officials because her
employees worked in various stages of undress," said Bob Harvey, the man who has taken the responsibility of
putting the Belvidere back on its feet.
Upstairs or in back of the Shoo Fly were a few rooms where the women associated with the establishment were
known to entertain, and there was a side door that made it possible for certain city officials to enter without being
observed by the more respectable women of the town.
Bat Masterson, who had a bar down in Creede, is said to have gotten in trouble with one of the Shoo Fly girls.
Anyway, because it was one of the few buildings made of brick, Wisebart Hall was the only building on the south
end of town to survive the fires of 1873 and 1874 that pretty much burned down everything else.
The Belvidere opened adjacent to Wisebart Hall in August 1875 after Henry Teller and J.B. Hahn decided the
town needed a theater. While entertainment went on on the second floor, the first was devoted to retail shops.
The 450-seat theater was such a success that in 1878 it was replaced by the Central City opera house, down
the street and around the corner on Eureka Street. After the opera house opened, the theater building was the
home of a variety of enterprises.
December 29, 1999
Old theater to ring in a new year Gala will echo off 124-year-old walls and rafters
Author: George Lane - Denver Post Staff Writer
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