Victor Heritage Society
Working Together to Preserve 
Historic Victor, Colorado
City of Gold MInes
  • Home
  • Preservation Successes
  • Activities
  • Landmarks
  • Guidelines & Galleries
    • Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage
    • Photo Gallery of Victor Residential Gems
    • Photo Gallery of Victor Businesses Operating in Historic Buildings
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Victor Homes & Buildings--Then & Now
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Victor Artwork by Fred Shane, Circa 1942
    • Photo Gallery of Historic Gold Mines >
      • Stratton's Independence Mine
      • Restoring the Historic Headframe of Stratton's Independence Mine
      • Gold Coin Mine--Part of the Woods Empire
      • Vindicator Mine
    • Photos From 1903-04 Labor Strike in Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District.
    • Step Back in Time with Glimpses of Historical Photos Featuring Victor, Colorado & the Surrounding Mining District
  • Oral History
    • “The Only Swedish Grocery Store in Victor”: The J.A. “Joseph” Beckman Family in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado, 1896-1915 by Richard "Dick" Markley.
    • Goold Family Historic Ties to Victor, Colorado & Famous Former Residents of the City by Nellie Goold Young.
    • H. L. Turner Story--Part 2: Unique Perspectives About the History of Victor, Colorado & the Cripple Creek Mining District.
    • Memories of H. L. Turner (1882-1967) and His Experiences in the Early Days of the Cripple Creek Mining District.
    • Tragedies When I Was Growing Up In Victor by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of James Garth Payne & How He Came to Letter Names on the Original WWII Roll of Honor in Victor and Cripple Creek, Colorado.
    • Winters in Victor, Colorado during the 1940's & 50's by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack)
    • Biking & Hockey in Victor, Colorado -- The Passions of Brian Hayes
    • Sports in Victor, Colorado & Memories of the 1949 Pikes Peak Junior High Basketball Tournament
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: The House & Antiques Shop -- by Debbie Abbott.
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: Digging At the Dump -- by Steve Abbott.
    • Abbott Family Memories Made in Victor, Colorado: Mom & Her Victor Friends -- by Dave Abbott.
    • A History of VICTOR, COLORADO--THE CITY OF MINES, compiled and published in 1933 by S. E. Poet, Superintendent of Public Schools at Victor.
    • Carl Roy's Oral History Videos -- Life in Victor, Colorado
    • The Miner’s Photograph: A Pathway to the Past by Steven Wade Veatch.
    • Recollections of My Life in Victor, Colorado during the Depression, WWII, & After By Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack)
    • Memories of Washington Elementary--My First School in Victor, Colorado by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Adventures at the Beaver Valley Ranch While Growing up in Victor, Colorado by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of the Ina & Henry Cleveland Hack Family by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • The Lighter Side of a Visit to Hack's Victor Barber Shop by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of Margaret & Henry C. "June" Hack, Jr. by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memorabilia from Cripple Creek & Victor High School Bands Directed by Ernest T. Sly from 1939 to 1950.
    • A Day in the Cresson Mine by Charles Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Firewood For Victor, Colorado by Charles Norman Spray (AKA Jeep Hack).
    • Memories of My Grandfather, John Reed Gardner (1864-1951)--Gardner Mercantile Owner, Bank President, Insurance Company Executive. By John Reed Gardner, II (grandson).
    • Tarie Huber Oral History Videos -- Life in Victor, Colorado
    • 1896 Shooting Affray at Union Theater in Victor, Colorado.
    • Memories of Mrs. Katy Bemore, resident of Independence when the deport was blown up in 1904.
    • Working Underground in the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District, 1972 to 1979: How I Got the Shaft, the Gas, and the Broken Steel by Randall Stewart.
    • INSTALLMENT #1. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • INSTALLMENT #2. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • INSTALLMENT #3. Seven Generations In Victor, Colorado and The Mining District—The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker.
    • Memories of Edward Franklin Page: Watchman at the Stratton Mines and Subsequently a Mine Manager, Farmer, Retail Businessman, & Banker.
    • Tom Schryver's Memories of Growing Up in Victor, Colorado and His Parents--Mayme & Charles "Bumps" Chapman.
    • McCormick Family Connections to Victor, Colorado (1893-2014) by Mary Ann McCormick Hamm.
    • Paying the Piper by Gertrude Moore McGowan.
    • Gold Camp Celebration--Fourth of July in Victor, Early 1900's by Gertrude Moore McGowan.
    • Memories of Lulu Ella Manson & Harry Gordon Moore by Gertrude Moore McGowan
    • Memories of Fannie & Alfred Osborn by Marge Breth
    • Memories of Cripple Creek & Victor, 1945-62, by Mary Alice Orazen
    • The Story of Axel Olson & His Golden Girl, Betzi Johnson, by Shirley Beach.
    • Memories of Mr. and Mrs. Axel Olson by KC Garver
    • Victor Recollections--Mountain Doctor, Small Town Cop, Gus's Sporting Goods, & Little Toy Pocket Knife by Floyd Frank
    • Memories of Lowell Thomas--Victor"s Most Famous Former Resident
    • Memories of the Gold Rush Era in Victor by Edgar McGowan
    • A Day In the Life of a Miner by Chuck Clark
    • Underground Mining Experiences at the Cresson and Ajax by Myron House
    • Hynes Brothers "Clean Ice" for Victor, Colorado--Memories of Mary Ellen Hynes Chetelat.
    • Marguerite Clark--One of Victor's Angels by Chuck Clark
    • Charlie Clark & the Quality Cash Market by Chuck Clark
    • Pop Sly -- Ernest T. Sly, The Band Man by Chuck Clark
    • Mr. Mortenson--The Victor Shoemaker by Chuck Clark
    • Heninger Family Memories of Victor, Portland Junction, & Independence: 1909-1916, by Virginia & Edgar Heninger
    • Reflections on Goldfield by Carol Roberts
    • Growing Up In Victor in the 1930's by Bob Penman
    • Victor's Welcome to Vice-President Roosevelt
  • Visit

THE 2023 VICTOR HERITAGE CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR A $10 DONATION AT THE VICTOR ARTISTS' CO-OP (Corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St) , TWIN FLAME GALLERY (102 S 4th St), & MOUNTAIN HIGH ANTIQUES (123 N 4th St).  Mail order copies may be obtained by sending a donation check for $15 (includes postage & handling) along with your return address to the Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860.  [Remaining copies of the 2022 Calendar are available in Victor for a $5 donation at same locations.]


 Join or Renew Your Membership in the Victor Heritage Society
Click to Download & Print a Membership Form which can also be used for Gift Memberships  

Jump to Updates & Announcements in the "BULLETIN BOARD" at the bottom of this page.​​  ​​ ​​

VHS MISSION

The Victor Heritage Society was formed in 1999 with the endorsement of the City Council of Victor, Colorado as a private, volunteer, nonprofit, tax exempt organization devoted to protecting and preserving the heritage of this unique community.  

The mission of the Victor Heritage Society is to preserve the architectural authenticity of our historic buildings,  the history of our hardrock gold mining heritage, and the experience of living in World's Greatest Gold Camp during the 1890's and early 20th Century. 

PRESERVATION SUCCESSES & CHALLENGES

The Victor Heritage Society is proud to recognize recently Restored Properties, Restorations in Progress, and Other Preservation Successes achieved through the efforts of numerous individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and the City of Victor.  Also shown are currently Endangered Properties and Lost Victor Landmarks which are gone forever but not forgotten. (MORE) 
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Fortune Club Diner
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City Hall
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Baptist Church
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Nana's Attic ~ Apartments


SPONSORED ACTIVITIES


Annual activities sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society include participating in the Gold Rush Days Parade, publishing a Victor Heritage Calendar, conducting Historic House and Building Tours, recognizing appropriately preserved historic properties with Landmark Awards, collecting Oral Histories, and providing a cash prize for the painting most representative of Victor's heritage at the Labor Day Weekend En Plein Air Art Festival.  (MORE)

Other sponsored programs and activities include developing Signage for the Victor Historic Walking Tour, acting as a Nonprofit Pass-Through Administrator for stabilization and restoration grants, organizing a Historic Photo Fair and Archive, a Historic Quilt Show, an Antique Treasure Hunt, a Fund Raiser for the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, an Oral History Workshop and Archive, hosting Chautauqua Actors Portraying Historic Characters such as James Burns (co-founder of the Portland Mine) and railroad man General William Jackson Palmer, and Power Point Presentations of Historic Photos.  (MORE)
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Tours of Historic Homes & Buildings
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Gold Rush Days Parade Victorian Costume Entry
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Historic Preservation Guidelines Booklet
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Downtown Historic Walking Tour Signage

LANDMARK AWARDS

The Victor Landmark Award is presented to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in exterior preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or compatible new construction that contributes to the enhancement of historic areas of Victor, Colorado.  (MORE)

Criteria for selecting award recipients are found in a brief booklet published by the Heritage Society -- Victor Colorado:  The City of Mines with Architecture Worth Preserving, An Informational Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage.  
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Duggan-Berry House
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Victor High School
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Davis-Abbott House
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McKenna-Sultzer House


NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS


The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation.  There are four Victor listings on the National Register.  (MORE)
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Victor Hotel
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Midland Terminal Depot
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Downtown Historic District
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Independence Mine

PRESERVATION GUIDELINES & GALLERIES WITH PHOTOS OF RESIDENCES, BUSINESSES, UNDERGROUND MINES, LABOR WARS, ...

  • View a brief booklet highlighting Guidelines for Preserving Victor's Historic Residential Neighborhoods; (MORE)
  • View a gallery of photos illustrating  Victor's Residential Gems and Most Prevalent Historic Residential Styles--log cabins, gabled, hipped box, Queen Anne and Edwardian Vernacular houses; (MORE)
  • View a photo gallery of Businesses Housed in Historic Buildings. (MORE)
  • View a photo gallery titled Historic Victor Homes & Buildings--Then & Now.  (MORE)
  • View a photo gallery of Historic Victor Artwork by Fred Shane, circa 1942.
  • View photo galleries of Historic Underground Gold Mines Near Victor:   ​"Stratton's Independence Mine", "Gold Coin Mine--Part of Woods Empire", "Restoration of Independence Mine Headframe (2017-18)", "The Vindicator Mine".
  • View a gallery of Madonna & Ellis Family "Photos from the 1903-04 Labor Strike".
  • ​View a video of  "Step Back in Time With Glimpses of Historical Photos Featuring Victor & the Surrounding Mining District" -- a power point presentation by La Jean Greeson.

ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES
ON-LINE
 CLICK on the "ORAL HISTORY BUTTON" at the top of the webpage for a detailed index and links to materials in our on-line archives.  HOVER over the "ORAL HISTORY  BUTTON" for a less detailed drop-down menu with links to these materials. 

Most of the 50+ "Oral Histories" are in the form of text and photos shared by the author.  These stories focus on lived experiences, memories and family connections to Victor and the World's Greatest Gold Camp.  The earliest date to the 1890's when gold was first discovered.  Others recount experiences of living in this unique community in periods throughout the 20th and early 21st Century. 

Also available are links to "Videos of Oral History Interviews" with knowledgeable and interesting Victor residents.  The raw interview videos are lightly edited for clarity and brevity, and complemented with inserted still photos.  (MORE)

The index of on-line archive materials also provides links to a History of Victor published in 1933,  a collection of photos from the 1903-04 Labor Strike, several newspaper stories about significant historical events, and photo histories of several famous underground gold mines near Victor.   
 

Does  your family have connections to Victor, Colorado and the World's Greatest Gold Camp?  Share your memories and family connections by contacting the Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860 or e-mail VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.


VISIT


LINKS
     Things To Do when visiting historic Victor, Colorado--Walking tours, hiking trails, museums,
     shopping, restaurants, lodging, scenic byways, active gold mine tours, ...  (MORE)     


     Connect with Interesting Links to other resources related to the Heritage of Victor,
     Colorado. 
(MORE)

VICTOR HERITAGE SOCIETY EVENTS:
Scheduled 2022 Events




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Hope you were able to attend these 2021 Events




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​Hope you were able to participate in these online 2020 Activities.


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​Hope You Were Able to Attend These 
2019 VHS Events 

 
 















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​​​​Hope You Were Able to Attend These  2018 
VHS Events

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Victor Historic Home & Building--Saturday, July 16, 2022, 11 AM t0 3 PM.  Tickets $10 per person.  This is your chance to take docent guided interior tours of two buildings in the Victor National Register Historic District plus two residential properties.  Thanks to all who helped make the tour a success by sharing their properties, serving as docents, and attending our Annual Historic Home & Building Tour.  For photo highlights our tours, CLICK HERE.
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VHS Gold Rush Days Parade Entry--Sunday, July 17, 2022, 11:45 AM.  Join members and friends of the Victor Heritage Society strolling down Victor Avenue in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.  Everyone welcome!  Meet before the noontime parade in the side-yard of the Sandlin House (514 Victor Avenue) and follow the VHS banner along the parade route.  Thanks to all who participated in the VHS entry in the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.  Click HERE for photos.
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​Victor Historic Building Tour--Saturday, July 17, 2021, 11 AM to 3 PM.  Tickets $10 per person.   This is your chance to tour the interior of the magnificently restored Victor City Hall, the Victor Elks Lodge (which served as the Armory for the State Militia during the 1903-04 Labor Wars) and three historic churches -- St Victor's Catholic Church (now operated by the Friends of St Victor's nonprofit), the Swedish Lutheran Church (now restored for adaptive use as a Community Center), and the Baptist Church (which still holds weekly services). Thanks to all who helped make the tour a success by sharing their properties, serving as docents, and attending our Annual Historic Home & Building Tour.   
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​VHS Gold Rush Days Parade Entry--Sunday, July 18, 2021, 11:45 AM.  Join members and friends of the Victor Heritage Society strolling down Victor Avenue in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.  Everyone welcome! Meet before the noontime parade in the side-yard of the Sandlin House (514 Victor Avenue) and follow the VHS banner along the parade route. Thanks to all who participated in the VHS entry in the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.
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​Planned 2020 Annual Meetings, Activities and Events Traditionally Sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society were suspended due to concerns about COVID-19.  In the meantime, our team of volunteers continued promoting Victor and expanding safe public access to our historical archives through the VHS web site.  We Invite VHS Members and All Other Interested Parties to Share Historic Photos, Home & Building Histories, Oral Histories & Other Relevant Materials by Emailing VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com or Snail-Mailing Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860.  We look forward to hearing from you!  THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
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Over 100 Historic Photos Projected on 
the Big Screen by La Jean Greeson at the Victor Community Center--First Viewing Friday, July 5, 2019 at 6:30 PM, Second Viewing Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 2 PM, free.  Approximately one hour followed by refreshments and an opportunity to visit with La Jean.  Thanks to La Jean Greeson for sharing her spectacular collection of photos and fascinating commentary.  Thanks as well to all who attended these special events celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the City of Mines.
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Oral History Videos Projected on the Big Screen at the Victor Community Center--Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 2 PM, free.  Premier showing of five brief oral history videos from an interview with Tarie Huber.  Approximately one hour followed by refreshments and an opportunity to visit.  Thanks to Tarie Huber, La Jean Greeson (interviewer), Marion Zachary (videographer) and all who attended this special event celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the City of Mines. 
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Victor Historic House & Building Tour--Saturday, July 20, 2019, 11 AM to 4 PM, Tickets $10 per person (children 10 & under free when accompanied by an adult).   This is your chance to tour the interiors of the Midland Terminal Depot, the Shopkeeper's Quarters of the Historic Gardner Mercantile, and three historic Victor homes that are generally not open to the public.  Thanks to all who helped make the tour a huge success by sharing their properties, serving as docents, and attending our 20th Annual Historic Home & Building Tour. 
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VHS Gold Rush Days Parade Entry--Sunday, July 21, 2019, 11:45 AM.  Join members and friends of the Victor Heritage Society strolling down Victor Avenue in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.  Meet before the noontime parade on the front porch at the Sandlin House (514 Victor Avenue) and follow the VHS banner along the parade route.  Thanks to all who participated in the VHS Gold Rush Days Parade entry. 
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Meet General William Jackson Palmer (portrayed by Dave Harmon)--August 10, 2019, 2 PM, at Saint Victor's Catholic Church, Free to the pubic.   Palmer founded the narrow gauge Denver & Rio Grand Railroad.  The D&RG connected with the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad, which provided the first freight and passenger service to the Mining District.  Palmer founded the City of Colorado Springs and was acquainted with many of the District's mining moguls.  Thanks to Dave Harmon for an outstanding presentation and all who helped make this event a success by attending.
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Cowboy Poetry & Music by Susie Knight in the Third Street Plaza--September 7, 2019, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, Third Street Plaza (after the noontime start of the Pack Burro Race), Free to the public.  Victor Heritage Society has made a significant donation to the Victor Ag & Mining Museum to help support this event celebrating our Western Heritage.  Susie Knight's cowboy poetry and music was a fitting tribute to the ranching heritage around Victor.  Thanks to Susie, the Victor Ag & Mining Museum and other generous donors who partnered to make this special event possible. 
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​Special Victor Heritage Society Membership Event at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs--Saturday, June 2, 2018, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.  Luncheon program sponsored by Beth & Bill Reid -- "Some History of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District from 1972 to 1993".  Thanks to Beth & Bill Reid for sponsoring this very special event and thanks to all who attended.
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Victor Historic House & Building Tour--Saturday, July 21, 2108, 11 AM to 4 PM, Tickets $10 per person.  This is your chance to tour the interiors of four historic Victor homes that are generally not open to the public.  Come early and stay the entire weekend to enjoy all the other Gold Rush Days Events.  Thanks to all who shared their homes, served as docents, and attended the tour to make it a great success.
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VHS Gold Rush Days Parade Entry--Sunday, July 22, 2018, 11:45 AM.
  Join members and friends of the Victor Heritage Society strolling down Victor Avenue in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days Parade.  Meet before the noontime parade on the front porch at the Sandlin House (514 Victor Avenue) and follow the VHS banner along the parade route.  Thanks to all who participated in the VHS Gold Rush Days Parade entry. 
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Railroads in the World's Greatest Gold Camp:  An Evening With Mel McFarland -- Saturday, August 11, 2018, 6 to 7 PM at Victor's Ag & Mining Museum (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd Street).  Don't miss this opportunity to opportunity to hear Mel's presentation with a collection of slides featuring the trains that once served the Mining District.  The public is welcome to this free special event sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society.  Bring your family and friends.  Snacks and finger goods provided.  Thanks to Mel McFarland and all who helped make this event a great success by attending.
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Victor Heritage Society Sponsored Public Presentation of Rare Historic Photos--Saturday, Sept 15, 2018, 2-3 PM at the Heritage Center on Hwy 67 Overlooking Cripple Creek (across from the Molly Kathleen Mine).  This is your chance to see an Amazing Power-Point Presentation from La Jean Greeson's Fantastic Collection of Historic Victor & Mining District Photos.  Free to the public--bring your family and friends, lower level theater seats 70.  Refreshments and an opportunity to visit with La Jean following her presentation.  Thanks to La Jean Greeson and all who who helped make this event a huge success by attending.   
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VHS Board & Membership Meetings--Members and those interested in preserving and promoting Victor Heritage welcome, details announced via e-mail.  If we do not have your address, contact VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com. 

MEMBERSHIP &
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Victor Heritage Society invites your membership and support. We welcome the opportunity to work cooperatively with other groups, individuals, or businesses interested in achieving similar objectives.

Volunteer Opportunities--Please contact us if you would like to volunteer to:  
  • Contribute photos for the next Victor Heritage Calendar,
  • Share historical Victor photos on this web site,
  • Participate in period costume in the annual Gold Rush Days Parade,
  • Help welcome and direct visitors on guided bus tours or walking tours of Victor,
  • Help as a site docent for the annual Historic House & Building Tour,
  • Share your house or building on the annual Historic House & Building Tour,
  • Host a Heritage Society meeting at your home or business,
  • Suggest a program for a Heritage Society meeting,
  • Share your memories or family connections to Victor and the Worlds' Greatest Gold Camp, or record an oral history with a long-time Victor resident,
  • Help edit an oral history submission to the Heritage Society web site,
  • Help with content or technical support for the Heritage Society web site,
  • Serve on a committee to select the next Heritage Society Award painting at the Labor Day Weekend Art Festival,  
  • Help with event publicity or grant writing,
  • Participate as a committee chair or officer of the organization.
 
Annual Membership Dues: 
  • Individuals-----------------$10
  • Family / Business---------$20 
  • Nonprofit Partners--------$25
  • Donations Gratefully Accepted
  • Click Here to Print & Mail in your Victor Heritage Society Membership Form with dues for the Sept 2020-Aug 2021 year now.  
  • Victor Heritage Society is a 503 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  Your support is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mailing Address--New:
     Victor Heritage Society
     PO Box 424
     Victor, Colorado 80860


E-mail:
      VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com

Phone:  
      719-689-2736

BULLETIN BOARD

VIEW THE MOST RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE  VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES
"The Only Swedish Grocery Store in Victor":  The J.A. "Joseph" Beckman Family in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado, 1896-1915, (October 2022).  By Richard "Dick" Markley, great nephew. 
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J.A. "Joseph" Beckman's Star Grocery, 217 N 4th St.
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Interior of Star Grocery, "The Only Swedish Grocery Store in Victor", Circa 1900.

GALLERY OF HISTORICAL VICTOR ARTWORK BY FRED SHANE, circa 1942.  Accomplished "regionalist" painter, Fred Shane, discovered compelling subject matter for his artwork in Victor, Colorado.  CLICK HERE to view a sampling shared by his granddaughter, Claudia Lohnes.  
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Ovren's Book & Stationary Store
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Old Mine in Victor

​VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES
Goold Family Historic Ties to Victor, Colorado & Three Famous Former Residents of the City of Mines--Lowell Thomas, Jack Dempsey, & Morgan Williams, (June 2022).  By Nellie Goold Young, (granddaughter of Everett Edgar Goold, Sr (1862-1911), daughter of Everett Edgar Goold, Jr. (1892-1962). 
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Everett Edgar Goold, Jr (left).
VIEW TWO RECENT STORIES SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES
  • ​Memories of Harry Louis Turner (1882-1967) & His Experiences in the Early Days of the Cripple Creek Mining District, (May 2022)
  • H. L. Turner Story--Part 2:  Unique Perspectives about the History of Victor, Colorado & the Cripple Creek Mining District, (June 2022)
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Harriet & Harry Turner with their three youngest children, 1912.

VICTOR HERITAGE SOCIETY HONORED by TELLER HISTORIC & ENVIRONMENTAL (T.H.E.) Coalition with "BREIT AWARD" (October 17, 2021)
 
During it's annual banquet T.H.E. Coalition honored one individual and two non-profit organizations for their ongoing work to preserve the history of Teller County and the Pikes Peak Region.   The 2021 award winners were:  Mrs. Jane Lass, The Victor Heritage Society, and The Gold Belt Byway Tour Association for their many contributions to preserving Teller County's history.  This is an effort that the late Dee Breitenfeld was involved in throughout her life.​
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On behalf of the Victor Heritage Society, Marilyn Fay accepts "2021 Breit Award" from Teller Historic & Environmental Coalition.

VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES

​Tragedies When I Was Growing Up in Victor, Colorado During the 1940's & 1950's by Charles Spray,  (October 2021)
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VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES
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​Memories of James Garth Payne & How He Came to Letter Names on the Original WWII Roll of Honor in Victor and Cripple Creek, Colorado.  (September 2021)
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Charlotte & James Payne

AN INSPIRATIONAL DEDICATION CEREMONY  FOR THE NEW TELLER COUNTY WWII VETERANS MEMORIAL ROLL OF HONOR was held during Victor's Annual Gold Rush Days Celebration, July 18, 2021, 9 to 10 am, in Wallace Park (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd St.)  CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. 
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DEDICATION OF PLAQUE RECOGNIZING HISTORY OF MIDLAND TERMINAL RAILROAD DEPOT Saturday, June 26, 1:07 pm, corner of 4th & Granite Ave.  Plaque provided by the Al Packer Chapter of the 
Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, public welcome to attend.
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​VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.
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Winters in Victor, Colorado during the 1940's & early 50's by Charles Spray, also known as Jeep Hack.  (April 2021)
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Skating & Sledding in Victor

​VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.

Biking & Hockey in Victor, Colorado – The Passions of Brian Hayes.

Online Text and Video by Bill Plock, President, 303 Endurance Network.
Links shared with the Victor Heritage Society Oral History Archives (March 2021).
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Rosemary & Brian Hayes

VIEW A RECENT STORY SUBMITTED TO THE VHS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.  
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Sports in Victor, Colorado & Memories of the 1949 Pikes Peak Junior High Basketball Tournament by Charles Norman Spray, also known as AKA Jeep Hack​​​​​​​ (January 2021).
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6th Grade Basketball Team, 1947

ISIS THEATER IN VICTOR NOMINATED & ACCEPTED TO 2020 LIST OF COLORADO'S MOST ENDANGERED PLACES.
     ​Each year Colorado Preservation, Inc. prepares a list of the "Most Endangered Historic Places in the State."  One of the four sites recognized on CPI's 2020 list is Victor's Historic Isis Theater.  Click the highlighted link for a video prepared by the CBS TV Channel 4 in Denver describing the history and endangered condition of the 2020 nominated places.  The Isis Theater is featured about 7 minutes into the 22 minute video.
     
CPI publishes the annual list to call attention to historic places that are most in danger of being lost, and to help the nominees qualify for grants and other resources required to preserve and restore them. 
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Victor's historic Isis Theater, nominated to the 2020 List of Colorado's Most Endangered Places, is the only surviving original theater in the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District..

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BRIAN'S PARK HOCKEY RINK--The Ice is Great in the Winter.
     CLICK HERE for a two minute video featuring the facilities at Brian's Park Ice Rink and the Victor Penguins Hockey Club.  Named in honor of Brian Hayes, who has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the park as well as forming the Victor Penguins Hockey Club, the Ice Rink is accessed from the corner of Spicer Avenue & South Fourth Street.  

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In the summer Brian's Park Hockey Rink can serve as a soccer field. Thanks to Brian Hayes, all the volunteers, and the City of Victor for developing this facility.
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Penguin Hockey 2018. The ice rink is equipped with lights for night skating. Click photos to enlarge.
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Volunteers operate a Zamboni machine to maintain the ice. A changing room adjoins the rink. Brian Hayes (center) holding trophy.
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Victor Penguins Hockey Club Logo -- Kids and adults of all ages participate. Use of skates is available with no rental fee.
CLICK HERE to View an Oral History Video Featuring Brian Hayes
Talking about the Hockey Rink and the Victor Penguins Hockey Club.

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PLAQUE HONORS RESIDENTS OF GOLDFIELD AND INDEPENDENCE WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR ONE. 
     An engraved granite plaque honoring the 63 citizens of Goldfield and Independence who served in World War One was dedicated on November 11, 2018 at a ceremony held at the historic Goldfield City Hall.  The plaque also commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the end of the war.
     The original City of Goldfield Flag, housed at the Cripple Creek Museum, inspired the quest to erect a plaque honoring those who served.  The flag has 63 blue stars on a white field surrounded by a red border.  Goldfield and Independence were combined at the time and the 63 stars represent the citizens of those towns who served during the war. 
     Researchers at the Cripple Creek District Museum, the Denver Public Library Western History and Genealogy Department, and the Colorado Freedom Memorial helped Goldfield residents Barbara Morgan, Lois and John Wilcox, and Ned Sterne compile the names of people who served during the war and who listed Goldfield or Independence as their home towns.  The Victor Heritage Society served as the nonprofit pass-through for the donation to cover the cost of the plaque.  


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CROSSES FOR GRAVES IN POTTER'S FIELD. 
​     A project to fabricate and place durable metal crosses on 60 unmarked graves of the unknown buried in the Potter's Field at Sunnyside Cemetery was completed in October 2018. 
     The project was spearheaded by the Marchese Family and the Victor Heritage Society partnered to share the expenses.  Valdean & Kirk Myers coordinated installation.  Click on the "Activities" page and scroll down for more photos and details.


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UTILITIES ALONG VICTOR AVENUE MOVED UNDERGROUND. 
​     A project by the City of Victor to place the electricity and phone lines along Victor Avenue underground was completed in September 2018.  Also gone are the unsightly poles that once supported these utilities.  
     It is noteworthy that Victor and many other places in the Mining District were among the earliest locations in the United States to receive electric and phone service.  Relocating these utilities underground has significantly enhanced the appearance of the streetscape along Victor Avenue--especially in front of City Hall. 


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GOLDFIELD CITY HALL RESTORATION PROJECT.  
     
The Goldfield City Hall Restoration Committee and the Southern Teller County Focus Group are seeking donations for repairs to the building.  A new deck has been installed, siding has been repaired, and the building will be painted early in the summer of 2019.  The doors will also be repaired. 
     Total cost of the project is about $10,000.  The Goldfield Restoration Committee is providing $4000.  Victor Heritage Society has pledged $1,000.  The STCFG has spent about $500 so far and will also donate additional funds.  The historic building is owned by Teller County government but it does not have any funds budgeted or intentions to repair the building.  Donations can be dropped off at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum (open weekends) or  mailed to STCFG, PO Box 328, Victor, CO 80860.


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Stained Glass Window from Iconic Victor Christian Science Church Found. 

​This stain glass window from the Iconic Victor Christian Christian Science Church Building, "Gone Forever--But Not Forgotten", was recently discovered in Buena Vista, Colorado.  

For more details about where the window was found, click this link to the "Preservation Successes and Challenges" Page and scroll to the bottom. 

​Please contact us if you can share more information about how the window found its way from Victor to Buena Vista, and who should be thanked for saving it.


OTHER VICTOR EVENTS


Click Here for a Link to a Calendar of Other Victor Events
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