The Gilpin County Historical Preservation Commission (HPC) held its first meeting of the year on March 21, 2024, at 6 p.m., online via Microsoft Teams. Community Development Director Rob Gutierrez and Planner James Shrout attended the meeting.

The Commission then elected Chair and Chair Pro-tem of the commission.

Bret Johnson asked if there were any nominations for chair. Sue Meade nominated Johnson. Jeremy Kaiser seconded. Johnson asked if anyone else was interested in the position. No one responded and he called for a vote. All were in favor.

Kaiser nominated B. Travis Wright as Chair Pro-tem. All were in favor.

The first item addressed was “Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Conceptual Review (53 Winks Way; Winks Tavern).” Shrout spoke to the design of the building being reviewed for historical value. The building is eligible as a Gilpin County Landmark.

From the review packet on the County website: “53 Winks Way was a tavern and dance club constructed and operated by Obrey ‘Winks’ Hamlet within the Lincoln Hills Resort. The Lincoln Hills subdivision was the only exclusively African-American/ Black vacation resort established west of the Mississippi River.

“The 1920’s was a time when small mountain cabins were being built with frequency by members of the American middle class. However, the codified segregation of the United States meant that there was not any place for African-Americans to enjoy the same luxury. Feeling African-Americans deserved the same indulgences as white Americans, several leaders of Denver’s black community established the Lincoln Hills Development Company in 1922 and Lincoln Hills was officially platted in 1928.

“Developed from land purchased from Hal and Elizabeth Sayre, the resort originally catered to wage-earning African-Americans living throughout Colorado, but soon gained national attention as a mountain resort far removed from the difficulties inherent to the daily life of all the nation’s black Americans.”

The property switched hands several times through the years. The current owner wants the ability to use the space as a residence. The building is not eligible for the historical National Register.

The website continues: “53 Winks Way is like many of the buildings within Lincoln Hills, characterized as a modest original building with multiple additions and significant recent renovations. The building does not have enough architectural significance to be eligible for the National Register.

“Although this building was the vacation cabin of Obrey Wendell ‘Winks’ Hamlet and is essential in understanding the history of the Lincoln Hills district overall, the building itself has been altered and no longer represents its historical association with Hamlet. As a result, 53 Winks Way also does not possess sufficient historical significance to be individually eligible to the National Register.”

Contractor James Hesterly said the occupants would like to refurbish a sign that reads “Coors” to say “Coca-cola.”

Hesterley said it is zoned as a residence though it may not be occupied 365 days per year.

Johnson said there has been a thorough job of evaluating whether the structure can be rehabilitated or restructured. Shrout noted that since it is just a renovation/reconstruction it does not have to meet current setback regulations.

Shrout asked what the end goal is for the property, since there is a “lunch counter” in the design. Contractor Kyle Matthews said the owner wants the building to look historical for personal reasons and the building will not be open to the public.

Johnson moved to approve the conceptual review as long as it meets with current codes. Wright seconded. All were in favor.

“1043 Nevadaville Rd. (Nevadaville Masonic Temple)” From the meeting packet: “The most elaborate commercial building in Nevadaville is the Masonic Block Building. The building features a load bearing stone foundation, cast iron storefront and the second story windows have segmented arches with keystones. The Nevadaville Masonic Temple is estimated to have been built in 1879, although County Assessor Records indicate that it was built in 1888.”

Shrout said the applicants only want to do interior work and that it is eligible for the National Landmark Register. The site is a Gilpin County Landmark.

A participant pointed out that there will be work on the floor of the storeroom, since it is rotting. He added that the structural engineer explained how to build the center girder. The applicant would also like to build out other areas in the future, notably the kitchen and the loft. The Masonic Order will still be using the building for its purposes.

Meade moved to accept the plans as submitted. Without further discussion, all were in favor.

The applicant said none of the Masons want to apply for the Register; but they do want to get a historic structure assessment for grant purposes.

Shrout then discussed the “East Portal Cabins - EPA Phase 1 and Phase 2 to be completed by the end of June.” He said the County has been awarded a grant for the EPA targeted Brownfield assessment. The results of the assessment will allow them to apply for a larger grant in 2025.

Shrout introduced “Thorn Lake School - RFP Published for foundation build 3/1/2024.” Shrout said he has reached out to several contractors in the area, including Hesterly and Matthews, since he has received no responses from the Request for Proposal (RFP).

Shrout shared “2023: A Year in Review,” saying that the Commission held 8 meetings during the 2023 federal fiscal year. There were eight design review applications reviewed by the Commission and one demolition review conducted.

The consensus of the Commission as to their most notable accomplishments include the local designation of the East Portal Cabins by Moffat Tunnel, and the work toward getting a foundation for Thorn Lake School.

There are 16 locally designated structures in Gilpin, three of which gained their designation in 2023, including Fritz Peak Observatory, Russell Gulch Cemetery, and the East Portal Cabins.

Shrout thanked the group for their patience in his re-appointment to the Commission. They are in need of a fifth person from District 1 (the Southern portion of the county) and an alternate from anywhere in the county.

Shrout has been networking and doing outreach in an effort to fill the vacancies. The Commission thanked Shrout for his support.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

The next Historical Preservation Commission online meeting is scheduled for April 18 at 6 p.m. and can be accessed through a link to Microsoft Teams on the County website at https://gilpincounty.colorado. gov/public-meetings/historicalpreservationcommission-meetings.