30 years ago – February 20, 1987
The Cozens House on East 1st High Street in Central City may be getting a face lift. The house is owned by the City of Central. The Board of Aldermen, Dick Allen, Angelo DiBenedetto, Frank Macri, and Claude Paul, have been considering a number of options to repair the old house. No definite decisions have been made, but the roof and foundation may be repaired in the near future. The Cozens House was completed in October of 1863. At that time it was a two story house. According to Sid Squibb, local historian, when East 1st High was built the street level was raised. The house is connected to the back of the Gilpin County Arts Association which is adjacent to City Hall. The main floor of the art gallery once housed the county’s jail. The second floor served as the county courthouse and became known as Washington Hall. William L. Cozens was a trained carpenter and also served as jailor and county deputy sheriff. He built the jail and the courthouse. It was leased to the county for $35 a month in 1862. Cozens resided in the house directly behind the art gallery and City Hall. It is what is known today as the Cozens House. He later became the sheriff of Gilpin County. He sold the property and his home to the county on April 8, 1868 and moved to County Road Street. It is the street between St. James Methodist Church and the courthouse. When the present courthouse was completed in February 1900, the City Council for Central City wanted to purchase the property. The City’s town hall consisted of rented space in various buildings throughout the city. On July 21, 190, the county quit-claimed the county buildings and lots to the City of Central for $2,500. By 1903 the area that was the jail, and is now the art gallery, was converted into the City hall Fire House until 1961. The present City hall, where the City Council regularly meets, as originally used as the Clerk & Recorder’s Office.
The possibility of alcohol poisoning caused a 15 year old student to be rushed to Lutheran Hospital in Denver. A dance was held in the Gilpin County School gymnasium on February 12. According to School Superintendent Gene Labriola, as of Wednesday, about eight to ten students have admitted to drinking before the dance, but not at the school event. Other students were apparently drinking during the dance. Apparently, alcohol was stashed in a culvert located in Pickle Gulch, said Labriola. There were no fewer than two chaperones present at the dance. Students are allowed to leave the gym and re-enter at their leisure. At approximately 10:30 p.m. it became apparent that one of the students needed assistance. Labrila remained with the student and the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department was notified. Two members of the Gilpin County Ambulance service arrived and the student was transported to the hospital for fear of alcohol poisoning. Labriola said that definite precautions will be taken in the future. For one, the numerous doors in the gym will be secured and students will be restricted from being able to leave the area. A support group of interested parents and school personnel is being formed. Parents will be asked to help chaperone school activities along with the teachers. Those who are interested may join the group or receive information by calling the school. The students involved in this incident will find there are “consequences for their actions,” Labriola said. His goal is to “teach the kids that they made some real bad choices that evening.” Not all of the students at or before the dance consumed alcohol. All of the students were screened before leaving the school and drivers were selected that had not consumed any alcohol. Personally, Labriola is concerned how students, under the age of 21, obtained alcohol. The student that was transported to the hospital was released.
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