Passing on local history to the next generation
By Jaclyn Schrock
Susan Sepanik teaches math and science, and Beth Olkowsky teaches language arts and history. Both teachers are among the finest teachers, building strong relationships with each individual 4th grader while having half the 4th graders in their homeroom class. These teachers work together to keep learning accurately accountable and fun while adventuring through Colorado history using hands-on science experiences and discovering real facts.
The 4th graders at Gilpin Elementary School, like other 4th graders in accredited schools in the US, study their state’s history. For an end of the year fun trip, they came to Central City to experience our local history, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The 33 students from Ms. Sepanik and Ms. Olkowsky’s 4th grade class arrived in the “Big-T” parking lot with packed lunches to stay all day. Local historians, David Forsyth and Barbara Thielemann, guided the tour with a few other helpers along the way. They were each given name tags and a new composition book to take notes in about Central City’s history.
The plan for the tour began at the buried train station. Student Tommy talked about the old fragile miner’s cart he found climbing around mine tailings. So, a few words of caution were offered about climbing around mines. As we walked to the next spot, student Caden explained what he just learned about how the rocks hide the original train station, which was the reason Central City even exists today – because the train came there to take out gold ore and bring in supplies. Student Jadie said that most of the buildings in Central City are very old, and the families tried to keep them up, but some are now gone. And student Justin knew about the stories of miners who told about Tommyknockers, the mythical mischievous friends of the miners who would warn them of impending danger.
The next event took students along the mural showing the history of Central City with more questions and comments. They were getting the picture as the area grew with mining, there was a big fire, but the city rebuilt with rock this time and grew again.
The next stop was to Central City Hall, where they met Anne Ellis, an author from the late 1800 who had grown up in a mining town in the San Luis Valley. Her character was presented by Joyce Nelson of The Legendary Ladies who Make History Come Alive, based out of Golden. Ray Rears of the Colorado Preservation group also explained about Central City’s efforts to preserve local history. As the students returned down the steps to review the mural, they moved on to the Belvidere Theatre next to City Hall.
Ray Rears explained how popular the theater was after the first one built on that spot burned down, then rebuilt. It was so popular with folks riding the train to come to shows, that plans were soon made to build a bigger theater, so the Opera House was built a few blocks away. We were reminded that Sunday, June 3rd was the open house celebration to make decisions and plans of hopes to bring the Belvidere Theatre back to being available for family activities. Central City has owned it for almost two years now, since it was taken back from negligent owners by Gilpin County because taxes had not been paid on it.
The day progressed stopping along places on Main Street to read and understand the historical markers. The kids went on up to the old school house to tour the Gilpin History Museum. Then they had lunch on the lawn of St. James Methodist Church before going to the Visitor’s Center and a tour by local desperado, Mike Keeler. They also enjoyed Washington Hall where the original jail and County offices had been. Now, there is an art gallery located in the upstairs area.
The history tour included visits in the Opera House, Teller House, St. James Church, the Old Gilpin Courthouse that is still being used for County offices, and the Thomas House. Their adventure in Central City was over when the bus picked them up in the Teller House parking lot about 2 pm.
It was a lively adventure!
