On December 13, 2023, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland designated 16 new National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) and two new National Natural Landmarks (NNLs). One of those newly designated NHLs is Winks Panorama Lodge in Gilpin County. The landmark designation is recognition of Winks Lodge’s unique position in American history.

Between 1925 and 1965, the Winks Panorama Lodge was the only resort in the Rocky Mountains to offer mountain vacations to African-Americans where they could relax and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

Obrey Wendall “Winks” Hamlet opened Winks Panorama lodge in 1928. It was a three-story building with six bedrooms on the upper floor. Hamlet also built a honeymoon cabin, the orange cabin, tin house, and a three-plex cabin that could be rented out to African-Americans who arrived by train from as far away as the east coast.

The resort was advertised in Ebony magazine and in 1952 was featured as part of a “Summer Vacation Guide.” In its time, it was the only Black owned resort west of the Mississippi. Interest in the resort waned after the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed and African-Americans had many more choices of where to vacation. The resort closed in 1965 after Hamlet’s death.

The significance of being designated as a National Historic Landmark is that it is reserved for a select set of properties that have unique national characteristics. Out of over 90,000 properties that are in the National Historic Registry, only 3% or about 2,500 are designated as National Historic Landmarks. Haaland at the time of the announcement said, “Supporting voluntary and locally led stewardship is key to nationwide efforts to conserve and connect the lands upon which we all depend.” Chuck Sams, the Director of the National Park Service said, “It’s important that the places we deem nationally significant represent the historical and natural diversity of the American experience.”

Retired Judge Gary Jackson, whose great-grandfather William Pitts worked with Wink Hamlet, wrote, “Winks Panorama Lodge is the crown jewel of Lincoln Hills. Winks Lodge and Lincoln Hills became known for its independence, self-reliance, and the resistance to oppression. It was and is a place of peace and opportunities for Black Americans.”

The property is currently being taken care of by the Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation founded by Robert Smith and Mathew Burkett. It has renovated the property and offers a variety of programs to youth regarding the outdoors and diversity. Their website is lincolnhillscares.org.