Thorn Lake School, built in 1896, and listed in April 3, 2007, now sits in Rollinsville.
By Linda Jones
Gilpin County is proud to have a new listing on the National Register of Historic Sites. This distinctive honor was recently given to the Russell Gulch IOOF (Independent Order of Oddfellows) Lodge building, constructed in 1895. The building features two retail store spaces on the ground level – the rent helped the lodge maintain the building – with the lodge meeting room on the second level. Owners Linda and Ed DiCicco have maintained the railings and dais, which set off the stations of the officers while creating comfortable living quarters on that level. The couple uses the lodge building as their vacation and weekend getaway from their primary residence in Lakewood. The national listing automatically lists the property on the Colorado Register of Historic Sites.
Russell Gulch IOOF Lodge, built in 1895 and added to County’s Landmark listing on Aug. 4, 2009, is Gilpin County’s new listing on the National Register of Historic Sites.
The Gilpin County Commissioners created the Gilpin County Historical Preservation Advisory Commission in 2005. This Commission has now designated eight County Landmarks, all outside of the National Historic District designated in 1961 that includes Central City and part of Black Hawk. Prior to this Russell Gulch listing, there was only one other National listing in Gilpin County (outside of the CC/BH listing), and that is Winks Lodge, designated in 1980.
Masonic Temple in Nevadaville, built 1888, designated on Aug. 3, 2010
The eight County Landmarks designated by HPAC are in all corners of the county. Designation as a Gilpin County Landmark confers no protection, unfortunately, just pride. In every listing, the property owners approached the commission requesting the county designation. The county then hires a professional preservation researcher to gather all known data on the property and bring it to the commission; after the commission accepts the structure as a County Landmark, the Board of County Commissioners must vote to accept it. In each picture lists the date the structure was built and the official listing of the structure. date after the name is the year the structure was built, the second date, the official listing of the structure.
Apex storefront, 5674 Apex Valley Road, built in mid 1890s, designated Dec. 19, 2006. Apex is now a ghost town.
Only remaining cabin in ghost town of Gilpin, built in 1902, designated on Oct. 5, 2010
Dieter/Jurchek cabin in the north part of the county, accessible only from railroad tracks, built 1911-12, designated June 28, 2011
Gest House in Nevadaville, built circa 1865, designated Oct. 12, 2011
Reseigh House in Nevadaville, built 1880, designated Dec. 6, 2011 Photos courtesy of Linda Jones
