After a year off, the 23rd Tommyknocker Holiday in Central City celebrated the Tommyknocker legend with events and a market bazaar the week after Thanksgiving, sponsored by Main Street Central City. The events began on December 3rd with the official lighting of the City Tree at 6:30 p.m. followed by a candle walk, a carol sing and a community potluck at the Teller House with entertainment provided by the Belvidere Players.

Although the Tommyknocker event was not held last year, it has been a tradition in Central City since the 1800s, when miners immigrated to Colorado from Cornwall, England, to work in the gold and silver mines in Gilpin, Jefferson and Clear Creek counties. They brought tales and superstitions with them of little elflike creatures who lived in the inner tunnels of the mines, according to the legend.

These beings known as Tommyknockers were often heard singing and working, but were rarely seen. The two types of Tommyknockers are the mischievous ones who dump over miner’s lunch pails, blow out candles and lamps and hide tools, and the friendly ones who knock on the walls of the mines to show miners the richest veins of ore.

They were described as short in stature, standing only two feet tall, wore colorful shirts and had kindly, wrinkled faces with large heads. According to one story, a miner was trapped in a pool of water down in the mine shaft. From nowhere, a pair of hands shoved him from behind, up and out of the pool. Seconds later, a gigantic boulder fell exactly where the miner had been trapped.

Father Christmas visited Central City for the annual Tommyknocker Holiday Market bazaar at the Teller House in Central City on Saturday, December 4, and Sunday December 5. Vendors of holiday crafts and other items filled two big rooms in the Teller House on both days.

Built in 1871 to 1872 by brothers Henry M. Teller and Willard Teller, the Teller House is one of the oldest and most important buildings in Central City. It has served as the town’s main hotel for more than 60 years, according to the Colorado Encyclopedia.

The four-story brick hotel played host to Central City’s most important visitors, including President Ulysses S. Grant during his tour of Colorado in 1873. Today the Teller House is home to several businesses and serves the community as a museum showcasing Central City’s history as one of the most profitable mining towns in the Centennial State.

Father Christmas said he has been doing this for many years off and on, but this is his first time at Tommyknockers. “They called out the Old Boys’ Team,” he said. “Father Christmas wishes you peace and humbleness.”

The Central City Ladies Elks served lunch of chili, sandwiches, drinks and sweet treats for a scholarship fundraiser. Deborah Wightman said all of the funds go to scholarships. Other volunteers included Judy Coleman and Jo Ann Kerr. JKQ barbecue was available next door for food and drinks.

Ashley Martin with the Gilpin County Motor Vehicles Division, greeted visitors as they came into the Teller House and said that they have a drawing for prizes, and she produced a basketful of registrations. They also were selling wreaths from the fire department.

The event featured a coloring contest for children for cash and prizes, and next year they hope to include a contest for adults. Ashley and Raymond Martin and Family sponsored the coloring contest.

Gilpin County resident Barbara Theilemann sat at the table with the coloring contest. She has been involved with Tommyknockers for 24 years. She also assists with scholarships for Gilpin County students.

Vendors included J.R. Black, who has written two books, one on Central City ghost stories and another on the Dalton Gang and two journals. She can be reached at JRBlack@outlook.com.

Jonathon Hays and Brian Cook brought Eureka Street Popcorn. They plan to open a store across the street from the Teller House. They can be reached at 646-246-8352.

Mountain Goat Catering offers butter cookies and cocoa convections and hopes to have a bakery for different diets. Chef Rachel Josselyn can be reached at mtngoat0@gmail.com or 303-264-7359.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Central City gives 100 percent of funds raised to charity. They offer homemade candles and soaps. Call 303-582-0450.

Wesli Phillips with Shakedown Goods has been in business since 2008 and has shelves, pet items and jewelry at shakdowngoods.com, P. O. Box 505, Central City, 80427.

Carrie Bradley with Crazy Carrie’s Creations said she just retired so she started her business in October and makes table runners and Colorado sunset photographs. She can be reached at 303-915-3228.

The Red Rocks Toffee Company offers toffee and other goods. Owned by Peter Dewolf, he also offers custom branding for promotion and events and can be reached at 303-923-8066.

It was wonderful to see the Tommyknockers Holiday Events celebrated once again in Central City.

For more information go to www.centralcity.colorado.gov/main-streetcommission.