Barbara Lawlor, Central City.   In spite of intermittent rain, a crowd gathered at the entrance to the historic Belvidere Theatre in Central City, waiting for their chance to see what the inside looked like. Many of the people were Central City dignitaries interested in renovating the building that was once the hub of entertainment for the community.

As small groups of people were guided into the dark interior of the Belvidere, they were greeted by a sign saying, “Beware. Pigeon droppings and feathers everywhere in the Belvidere.”

Another notice stated that the Belvidere was “One of Colorado’s most endangered places.” The sign said to contact the Colorado Preservation Inc. to learn how to help save the historic beauty.

In 1874, a raging fire destroyed much of downtown Central City, including the Montana Theatre. City leaders and business owners rebuilt the business district which included the two-story theater which opened in August of 1875.

The first floor contained retail business.The second floor held the ballroom with galleries, a carved bar and a center stage for 450 people. Traveling theater troops, musicians and magicians performed in the lush, elegant ballroom and the Belvidere was the number one attraction until 1878 when city leaders decided they needed a larger venue and created the opera house, which has sustained local events and the summer opera productions.

Residents struggled to keep the Belvidere alive with bars, shops, a fire department and a bottling works. The Colorado National Guard claimed the theater as its Armory Hall. At one point the bottom floor contained a car dealership and the main theater floor was used as a basketball court for Gilpin County students.

In 1970, the Belvidere claimed national fame when 20th Century Fox filmed “The Duchess and the Dirt Water Fox,” staring Goldie Hawn and George Segal along with many locals in small parts. The Belvidere, at least inside, was given a superficial facelift.

In 1990, when gambling came to the city, the Belvidere owner envisioned the building as a casino and began cutting the exterior bearing walls, reconfiguring the stairways and taking out support beams, but the project was never finished and the building was boarded up.

Two years ago, after the last owner failed to pay the taxes, the Gilpin County Commissioners took over ownership and received a grant for a structural assessment plan which indicated it would take at least $3 million for bare bones construction. But that did not deter the Central City Council from pursuing their dream. The campaign to rebuild the grand old girl met with a large show of support along with some opposition. Resident Jeremy Fey, who is bringing back the CC Jazz Festival, says that amount of money should be spent on other projects.

On Saturday, long-time CC resident Jack Hidahl guided one group through the building, warning them not to step on the shattered glass or go beyond the taped off sections. As one entered from the street level, wide winding staircases led to the ballroom and the mezzanine type galleries.

The walls were crumbling, the wooden beams collapsing and yet, among the shambles, elegant artwork bordered the stage, still exquisite in detail and color. One of the couples on the tour twirled on the stage and one could almost hear ghost saxophones crooning nostalgic melodies into the dust motes.

Hidahl told his group that he had fallen in love with the Belvidere 45 years ago and from 1995-1996 it had become the main venue for the Central City Jazz Festival. Revelers would sit outside in the beer garden as big name Denver Jazz groups would play into the summer nights.

As people walked around the dusty, pigeon-pooped floor, they pointed out the artifacts that survived the neglect: the chandeliers, the woodwork, the artwork and they said they too felt the spirit that still existed in the historic walls.

The city is pursuing grants to research philanthropic organizations and restoration applications.

Questions and comments may be sent to the Belvidere, P.O. Box 1072, Central City, 80427 or gofundme.com/ndngmsmk

(Originally published in the June 7, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)