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".
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.
I've visited Central City a few times.
Before and after.
Before it had casinos, and after it got casinos.
I like Central City both ways.
I climbed down into the Glory Hole once.
That was before it was sealed off to the public.
I was fortunate to be one of the last who was able to walk down into that huge hole. The same hole that was dug out and known as The Gregory Lode.
The day I did so I didn't have my prescription glasses, and so I was a blind soul, searching for unknown treasures, but hopeful.
I crawled, with my head close to the ground, covering only inches of terrain in that large hole, when I saw a crystal.
It was about half an inch long and had the shape of a miniature tower with a pointed apex.
I proudly kept that little crystal for many years, but no longer have it.
All I have now is my memory of a visit to the Glory Hole.
No comments:
Post a Comment