Black Hawk, Colorado

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City of Black Hawk, Colorado
Home Rule Municipality
Restored historic buildings in downtown Black Hawk
Restored historic buildings in downtown Black Hawk
Nickname(s): "The City of Mills"
Motto(s): "Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future, Still Making History"[1]
Location of Black Hawk in Gilpin County, Colorado.
Location of Black Hawk in Gilpin County, Colorado.
Black Hawk is located in Colorado
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Location of Black Hawk in Gilpin County, Colorado.
Black Hawk is located in the US
Black Hawk
Black Hawk
Black Hawk (the US)
Coordinates: 39°48′04″N 105°29′21″W / 39.801069°N 105.489224°W / 39.801069; -105.489224Coordinates: 39°48′04″N 105°29′21″W / 39.801069°N 105.489224°W / 39.801069; -105.489224[2]
Country USA
State  State of Colorado
County Gilpin County[3]
Incorporated June 12, 1886[4]
Government
 • Type Home Rule Municipality[3]
 • City Manager Corey Hoffmann (acting)[5]
Area[6]
 • Total 2.73 sq mi (7.08 km2)
 • Land 2.73 sq mi (7.08 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation[7] 8,537 ft (2,602 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 118
 • Estimate (2016)[8] 127
 • Density 46.49/sq mi (17.95/km2)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code 80403, 80422 (PO Box)[9]
Area code(s) 303
FIPS code 08-07025
GNIS feature ID 0204706
Website www.cityofblackhawk.org
The least populous Colorado city

The City of Black Hawk is a Home Rule Municipality in Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 118 at the 2010 United States Census,[10] making Black Hawk the least populous city (rather than town) in Colorado. The tiny city is an historic mining settlement founded in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Black Hawk is a part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Black Hawk is located adjacent to Central City, another historic mining settlement in Gregory Gulch. The two cities form the federally designated Central City/Black Hawk National Historic District. The area flourished during the mining boom of the late 19th century following the construction of mills and a railroad link to Golden. The town declined during the 20th century, but has been revived in recent years after the 1991 establishment of casino gambling following a statewide initiative in 1990. In early 2010, the Black Hawk city council passed a law banning the riding of bicycles in the town, drawing a reaction from bicycle advocacy groups and international press. The ban was overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court in 2013.[11]

History[edit]

Mining boom[edit]

Black Hawk, 1864

The town is located along the north fork of Clear Creek and Gregory Gulch. Black Hawk was established in 1859.[12] In May 1859 the discovery of gold in Gregory Gulch by its namesake, John H. Gregory, brought thousands of prospectors and miners into the area, combing the hills for more gold veins. The Bobtail lode was discovered the following month.[13] Hardrock mining boomed for a few years, but then declined in the mid-1860s as the miners exhausted the shallow parts of the veins that contained free gold, and found that their amalgamation mills could not recover gold from the deeper sulfide ores.[14]

Nathaniel P. Hill built Colorado's first successful ore smelter in Black Hawk in 1868. Hill's smelter could recover gold from the sulfide ores, an achievement that saved hardrock mining in Black Hawk, Central City, and Idaho Springs from ruin. Other smelters were built nearby. Black Hawk's advantageous location on North Clear Creek made it the center of ore processing for the area, and it became known as the "City of Mills".[15]

The Colorado Central Railroad extended its line to the town in 1872.[13] A restored depot and locomotive are on display on the east side of downtown. Black Hawk was also served by the two-foot-gauge Gilpin Tramway which climbed from Black Hawk to the mines above Central City. Many historic buildings in the town have been restored following the opening of the casinos in 1991.

Gambling boom[edit]

Ameristar Casino

The town has been in heated competition for gambling revenue with its neighbor Central City since casinos opened in both towns in 1991. Development of the area down Clear Creek from the historic Black Hawk townsite lining State Highway 119 has flourished. Gamblers from Denver pass the Blackhawk casinos before they arrive at Central City, and, as a result, Black Hawk has realized much more revenue from gambling than Central City. Gambling in Black Hawk also benefits from less restrictive zoning codes; while Central City until recently limited building heights to 53 feet (16 m) to preserve the historic character of the town, Black Hawk has no such limits. In an attempt to close the competitive gap, Central City built the Central City Parkway from Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs as an alternative route, leading guests first to Central City, and then to Black Hawk. The Central City Parkway opened November 19, 2004. However, Black Hawk continues to have three times the number of casinos, and generates more than seven times the gambling revenue that Central City does.[16]

Although the 1990 statewide referendum allowing casino gambling in Black Hawk was promoted as a way to promote historic preservation in Black Hawk, critics have charged that it has had the opposite effect, and that the historic appearance of Black Hawk has been sacrificed to allow construction of the large casinos.[17][18][19][20]

Tax from the gambling revenue provides funding for the State Historical Fund, administered by the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.[21]

Bicycling ban controversy[edit]

Black Hawk City Hall, built in 1877

In February 2013, the Colorado Supreme Court overturned a citywide ban on bicycle traffic through Black Hawk, ruling that the city had failed to comply with state traffic law.[11] In 2010, the city of Black Hawk banned bicycle use on most of the streets in the city. The ban was prompted by a surge in traffic following the change in maximum casino betting limits from $5 to $100. Black Hawk City Manager Michael Copp said that the city council, which passed the new law, believed it was best for the casinos and their patrons. The penalty for riding a bicycle through Black Hawk was a $68 fine.[22][23] Bicycle advocacy groups challenged the bike ban, with the case ultimately going to the Colorado Supreme Court.[24][25] State Highway 119 and County Road 279 in Black Hawk are part of the Great Parks Bicycle Route and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway touring route.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.95 square miles (5.04 km2).[10]

Transportation[edit]

The Black Hawk & Central City Tramway, operated by the cities of Black Hawk and Central City, provides a free shuttle between the two towns. Ramblin Express and Ace Express Coaches provides transportation from Denver.[26]

Demographics[edit]

Historic homes in the gulch above downtown Black Hawk
Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18701,068—
18801,54044.2%
18901,067−30.7%
19001,20012.5%
1910668−44.3%
1920253−62.1%
19302530.0%
194028914.2%
1950166−42.6%
19601713.0%
197021726.9%
19802326.9%
1990227−2.2%
2000118−48.0%
20101180.0%
Est. 2016127[8]7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[27]

As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 118 people, 54 households, and 28 families residing in the city. The population density was 80.9 people per square mile (31.2/km²). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 54.2 per square mile (20.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.75% White, 3.39% African American, 0.85% Native American, 5.93% from other races, and 5.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.17% of the population.

There were 54 households out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the city, the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 34.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 131.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,583, and the median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,985. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

Education[edit]

Black Hawk Public Schools are part of the Gilpin County School District RE-1. The district has one elementary school and one high school, Gilpin County Elementary School and Gilpin County Undivided High School.[29]

Tina Goar is the Superintendent of Schools.[30]

There are approximately 380 students enrolled in the district.[31]

Attractions[edit]

Lace House, built 1860s, now a museum

While smaller, Black Hawk has more casinos than Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Notable people[edit]

  • William Frederick Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), briefly a resident of Black Hawk while searching for gold near the town for two months
  • Nathaniel P. Hill, Brown University chemistry professor, Black Hawk smelter magnate, U.S. senator

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ City of Black Hawk official website
  2. ^ "2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Places". United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015. 
  3. ^ a b "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved 2007-09-01. 
  4. ^ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. 2004-12-01. Retrieved 2007-09-02. 
  5. ^ "City Manager". City of Black Hawk. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011. 
  6. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 25, 2017. 
  7. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  8. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017. 
  9. ^ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on September 3, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2007. 
  10. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Black Hawk city, Colorado". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2016. 
  11. ^ a b Webb v. Black Hawk, 2013 CO 9
  12. ^ "City of Black Hawk Colorado". City of Black Hawk Colorado. Retrieved 2012-05-07. 
  13. ^ a b Paul K. Sims and others (1963), Economic Geology of the Central City District, Gilpin County, Colorado, US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 359, p.7-8.
  14. ^ A. H. Koschman and M. H. Bergendahl (1968) Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States, US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 610, p.86.
  15. ^ James E. Fell, Jr. (1979) Ores to Metals, Lincoln: Univ. Nebraska Press, pp. 27-54.
  16. ^ Andy Vuong, "Eased gambling, building rules give Central City second chance," Denver Post, July 1, 2009, p.1A.
  17. ^ "Colorado: Construction of KMM Parking Structure (Black Hawk)". Archive of Prominent Section 106 Cases: April 1999. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Retrieved November 17, 2016. 
  18. ^ Brooke, James (September 7, 1997). "Colorado Rethinks Bet on Historic Preservation". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2016. 
  19. ^ Calhoun, Patricia (April 13, 2006). "A House Divided". Westword. Retrieved November 17, 2016. 
  20. ^ "11 Most Endangered Places (2006): Black Hawk & Central City". National Trust for Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on February 15, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2016. 
  21. ^ State Historical Fund, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Colorado Historical Society, USA.
  22. ^ Pidd, Helen (2010-06-18). "That's all, spokes: Colorado town of Black Hawk bans cyclists". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved June 20, 2010. 
  23. ^ Bicycles Banned in Black Hawk KMGH Denver 2010-06-07 Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  24. ^ Banda, P. Solomon (2010-06-17). "Casino city bans riding bikes through town". MSNBC/Associated Press. Retrieved June 20, 2010. 
  25. ^ "An Illegal Bike Ban – Road Rights". Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
  26. ^ BLACK HAWK SHUTTLES
  27. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015. 
  28. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  29. ^ "Black Hawk Schools". GreatSchools, Inc. Retrieved 2012-05-07. 
  30. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICTS/BUILDINGS AND PERSONNEL" (PDF). Colorado Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 25, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2012. 
  31. ^ "Gilpin County School District Re – 1". Trulia Inc. Retrieved 2012-05-07. 

External links[edit]

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