Family anchors Main Street building for 5 decades
By Jeffrey V. Smith
The Famous Bonanza has had several appearances since opening Jan. 17, 1992. File photo
The Famous Bonanza Casino, and its building, represent a family’s decades-long commitment to Central City, its business community, and now, its gaming industry. Opened on Jan. 17, 1992, a mere three months after the legalization of gaming, the locally-owned casino has been in operation longer than any other in the region – with the exception of one.
Long before gaming, though, members of the Grimes family worked in the Famous Bonanza’s building, known as the Harris Block, at 107 Main St. in the heart of Central City’s historic district. Ross and Nancy Grimes purchased the prominent business location back in 1959, and opened a gift shop named the Famous Bonanza. The business was popular with summer tourists who relished the opportunity to have their photos taken with “Prospector Pete,” a character carved by a local artisan seated on a bench in the store’s front window.
The casino has a more natural appearance today. Photo by Jeffrey V. Smith
When gaming was legalized in October 1991, the family – including Ross’ son Reed, daughters Ann and Sue along with other family – renovated the historic block of buildings and opened a casino under the same name. Like most other structures in town, the building suffered from detached walls and unconnected foundations. It, like the most of the rest, tilted and leaned in all the wrong directions.
Before restorations to the historic structure began, the façade of the Harris Block had been altered and painted so many times it was unrecognizable, and the rear of the buildings had detached from the sidewalks. It took a year, but the Grimes family restored the Harris Block, which dates back to 1875 and has housed the New York Mercantile, H.M Burrell’s drugstore, a boarding house, the Golden Key Restaurant and, purportedly, a brothel.
Today, the Famous Bonanza offers “fewer gimmicks and more fun” along with a unique card parlor, Stella’s Café and classic slots like Enchanted Forest, Wild Africa, Thunder Heart, Wild Cougar, The Gambler, Double Double Bonus Poker and others.
Prospector Pete waits for a photo with yet another Central City visitor. He has been welcoming tourists since the days when the Famous Bonanza was a gift shop, from 1959-1992. Photo by Jennifer Pund
The Grimes Family also own the Easy Street Casino, located in the historic Parteli Block across Main Street. The building, originally built by the Phillip Zang Brewing Company in 1897 houses the infamous Gold Coin Saloon, established in the late 1890s and one of the oldest bars in the state. It was a pool hall and grocery, however, during Prohibition. Hundreds of $1, $5 and $10 bills are pinned to the wooden slat ceiling above the bar in a tradition local miners began in the 1890s to help the families of mining accident victims. Today, the money goes toward the annual “Bringing Down the Ceiling” party where guests who added a bill during the year drink free, courtesy of the ceiling.
The business continues to be a family affair. When Ross Grimes retired from the business, Reed began managing the casino and now Ann is in charge. She remains the general manager of both the Famous Bonanza and Easy Street casinos. Her husband, Ed Dodson, is also involved in the business as is Reed’s wife, Kathy. Sue and her husband Brad Hentschel also take part in running the casino. Leah Carrington and Jeff Hentschel are part of a third generation now employed by the Famous Bonanza, helping to continue its reputation as one of the friendliest gaming properties in the state.
In addition to the casino’s reputation for loose slots and exciting promotions, Prospector Pete still waits in the window to have his picture taken with you.
