Nestled in the scenic mountains of Colorado, Central City, Colorado, stands as a living testament to the fervent spirit of the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. This historic mining town, once famously dubbed “The Richest Square Mile on Earth,” has remarkably transformed from a bustling gold camp into a captivating destination that blends its rich past with modern-day allure, especially its thriving gambling scene. Our journey through this incredible area in September 2009 revealed a town steeped in history, where echoes of prospectors and pioneers still resonate amidst beautifully preserved Victorian architecture and lively casinos.
The Discovery of Gold and the Genesis of a City
The genesis of Central City can be traced back to May 6, 1859, when John H. Gregory, a seasoned prospector, made a pivotal discovery. While panning along Clear Creek, he uncovered what would become known as “The Gregory Lode,” an extraordinarily rich gold deposit. This discovery, situated in a gulch between what would soon be Central City and Black Hawk, ignited an unprecedented influx of fortune-seekers. Within a mere two months, the population surged to an astounding 10,000 individuals, all converging on this promising region. The Clear Creek Mining District quickly earned its illustrious moniker, “The Richest Square Mile on Earth,” a testament to the unparalleled abundance of its ore. Today, a stone monument at the eastern entrance to Central City proudly commemorates Gregory’s momentous find.
An account from the Daily Central City Register in June 1859 vividly captured the raw conditions of the burgeoning settlement: “By the first of June 1859, Gregory Gulch from North Clear Creek to the confluence of Eureka, Nevada, and Spring Gulches was literally crowded with human beings huddled together in tents, wagons, log cabins, dugouts, houses made of brush, and of every conceivable material that promised shelter.” This description paints a clear picture of the desperate yet hopeful scramble for shelter in the burgeoning goldfields.
Further gold deposits were soon unearthed in adjacent gulches, leading to the rapid proliferation of numerous mining camps. Names like Springfield, Bortonsburg, Missouri City, Nevadaville, Dog Town, Eureka, Russell Gulch, Lake Gulch, Black Hawk Point, Chase’s Gulch, and Enterprise City became synonymous with the frantic search for wealth. By mid-July 1859, the area around Gregory Gulch was teeming with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people.
Establishing Central City: Name, Infrastructure, and Early Challenges
The naming of Central City is shrouded in two popular tales. One attributes the name to William N. Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News, who allegedly pitched his tent at the geographical center of the mining district in June 1859, suggesting
