30 years ago – May 17, 1991
The old 1860 jail exhibit has been virtually gutted during the preparations to transform it into a casino named Annie Oakley’s, though at this point the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang might be more apt. Plans include adding a second story to what is presently the only one-story structure on Main Street in Central City. Though Central City’s building moratorium is no longer in effect, projects like this one must be approved by the city’s Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions, and the city building inspector.
The fire that started Monday night was still ablaze and growing in Golden Gate Canyon Tuesday. Winds gusting from 35 to 40 miles per hour on Tuesday caused a 10-acre controlled fire to blaze out of control. By Wednesday, the fire had scorched 100 or more acres. The first firefighters to arrive at the location had to hike three miles to get to the fire, located about two miles east of the Gilpin Countyline off Golden Gate Canyon Road. A caterpillar was brought in to make a more accessible route to the area. A very large herd of deer was seen north of the blaze. There were no houses close by. As of Wednesday morning the fire was still shifting, but did not pose a threat to Gilpin County. Late Tuesday afternoon, Jefferson County put in a call for help from High Country and Colorado Sierra fire departments. They were pulled out late Tuesday night. At 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning Colorado Sierra sent five firefighters and High Country sent in four, plus one truck. It was estimated at this time that more than one landowner’s property may have been in jeopardy. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, although it may have been caused by lightning. Mother Nature took over mid-morning on Wednesday with a combination of snow and rain; the fire was extinguished by Wednesday afternoon.
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