Turning back the pages

30 years ago – February 16, 1990

A fire at the National Mine, located immediately above Central City on the way to Russell Gulch, drew firefighters from three area departments. About 20 firefighters were on the scene from Central City, Black Hawk, and High County fire departments. Only Colorado Sierra did not respond to the scene, said Central City Fire Chief Gary Allen, in order that the department could be free to respond in case firefighters were needed somewhere else in the county. The Gilpin County Sheriff’s dispatcher received a fire call at 10:19 a.m. Jeff Moerbe, caretaker of the National Mine, placed the call, and said later that when he left the building that morning, only a few coals smoldered in the stove. The fire started in the wood stove’s pipe, according to Allen. Flames engulfed the north end of the shop building, which included an office and living quarters. Located north of the shaft house, the shop held maintenance supplies, including propane and acetylene equipment. An estimated 400 to 500 square feet of the building sustained damage, Allen said, adding that the affected portion of the structure could be rebuilt. The fire was out and mop-up operations underway shortly after noon.

A group of ice skaters—employees of AT&T’s Lakewood office—spent last Saturday skating on the pond at Black Hawk’s town park. “It went wonderfully,” said Pat Taylor, a group member who also happens to live in Gilpin County. Taylor convinced her friends, who call their group “Taking a Look at Colorado,” to make this month’s trip to her neck of the woods. Their monthly trips include a wide variety of activities in different parts of the state. “We had a great time,” said Taylor, adding that she would like to see the group visit Gilpin County more frequently. The town’s aldermen are delighted that the park is being used, and invite the public to use the facilities. They warn, however, that the city does not maintain insurance on the park, and skaters do so at their own risk.