Links to What's New:
- Click HERE for a video showing the condition of the Masonic Lodge. Scroll down the "Preservation Successes & Challenges Page" to the "Endangered Buildings" section for a brief history and description of the architectural features of this endangered building.
- The Vindicator Mine--History & Photo Gallery by La Jean Greeson.
- Installment #3. Seven Generations in Victor, Colorado & the Mining District--The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker (1920-2003) and her mother, Sadie Musser (1890-1965).
- Installment #2. Seven Generations in Victor, Colorado & the Mining District--The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker (1920-2003) and her mother, Sadie Musser (1890-1965).
- Installment #1. Seven Generations in Victor, Colorado & the Mining District--The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker (1920-2003) and her mother, Sadie Musser (1890-1965).
- Photo Gallery Illustrating the Restoration of Stratton's Independence Mine Headframe (2017-2018) documented by Shirley Beach.
- Memories of Edward Franklin Page: Watchman at the Stratton Mines and Subsequently a Mine Manager, Farmer, Retail Businessman and 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): Portland Master Mechanic, Vindicator Superintendant, Scottish Poet, Labor War Casualty, Preservation Activist, Historic Memorabilia Collector. Mary Ann McCormick Hamm's Story of Her Brother, David "Bean" McCormick (1941-2014); Great Grandfather, William McCormick; and Great Uncle, Charles McCormick.
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, 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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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, and hosting a Historical Chautauqua Actor Portraying James Burns (co-founder of the Portland Mine). (MORE)
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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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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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PRESERVATION GUIDELINES, GALLERY OF RESIDENCES & BUSINESSES |
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VICTOR HERITAGE SOCIETY EVENTS:
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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.
* * * * * Victor Historic House & Building Tour--Saturday, July 21, 2108, 11 AM to 4 PM, Tickets $10 per person (details to be announced). This is your chance to tour the interiors of historic Victor homes and buildings that are generally not open to the public. Come early and stay the entire weekend to enjoy all the other Gold Rush Days Events. * * * * * Gold Rush Days Parade--Sunday, July 22, 2018. 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 parade on the front porch at the Sandlin House (514 Victor Avenue) and follow the VHS banner along the parade route. * * * * * 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. 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. * * * * * Victor Heritage Society "Peaches & Cream" Gathering at Victor's Ag & Mining Museum--Saturday, Sept 23, 2017, 6:30 PM. This is your chance to see the new exhibits at Victor's Agriculture and Mining Museum (corner of Victor Ave & 2nd Street). Enjoy a guided tour of the facility located in the Historic Ford Dealership building and see demonstrations of some of the remarkable vintage mining and agricultural equipment housed there. Free--no need to bring anything, peach cobbler and ice cream dessert provided. Thanks Millard Ashworth and his staff for hosting the VHS meeting for providing an interesting tour of the Victor Ag & Mining Museum. Thanks as well to all who attended. * * * * * Gold Rush Days Parade--Sunday, July 16, 2017, noon. 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 parade at Nana's Attic and follow the VHS banner along the parade route. Thanks to all who participated. The VHS entry in the parade received a First Prize Award. * * * * * Meet Jimmy Burns, Co-founder of the Portland Mine, as portrayed by Chautauqua Actor Ron West -- Saturday, July 1, 2017, 6:30 PM at Saint Victor's Catholic Church (corner of S 2nd Street & Portland Avenue). Hear the story of James Burns and James Doyle, partners and friends in 1892 when they filed a claim for Portland Mine which eventually developed into the largest mine in the District. The Portland Mining Company was incorporated in 1894 with James Burns as President and a Board of Directors that included James Doyle, Winfield Scott Stratton and several other mining magnates with divergent philosophies about treatment of employees, managing ore reserves, paying dividends, and conducting business. "Mr. Burns" will relate the story of the ensuing personality and policy conflicts, including what happened to the two Jimmy's, their oft-times embattled associates, and the fate of the Portland Mine--once deemed "Colorado's Richest Gold Mine". Free admission -- bring your family and friends. Thanks to all who attended. For more details about this even, scroll down the ACTIVITIES PAGE. * * * * * VHS Meeting, Potluck, & Tour of the Historic Trade & Transfer Building Museum, 6 PM, Saturday, June 3, 2017. This is your chance to see the historic Colorado Trade & Transfer building at the corner of N 3rd St & Diamond Ave in Victor. The owners, Marjie & Joe Stevens, will provide a tour of the portion of the building which they have restored as a museum, and talk about some of the most interesting artifacts they collected and preserved in the process. A potluck dinner and brief VHS meeting will be held on site--smoked barbecue entree provided. Please bring a salad, side dish, dessert, or beverage to share. Eleven Colorado Trade & Transfer Company Warehouses once served the Cripple Creek Mining District. The Victor Trade & Transfer is one of the two that remain. The Victor Heritage Society has recognized it with a Landmark Award. Click the blue highlighted link to the LANDMARKS PAGE and scroll toward the bottom for more information about the building. Thanks to Marjie & Joe for hosting and all who attended. * * * * * 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 &
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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:
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Annual Membership Dues:
Victor Heritage Society PO Box 424 Victor, Colorado 80860 E-mail: VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com Phone: 719-689-2736 |
BULLETIN BOARD
2018 VICTOR HERITAGE CALENDARS--HUGE SUCCESS, ALL GONE
Reproduction of Vintage Victor Souvenir Postcard Featured on 2018 Calendar Cover.
Additional copies of the 2018 Victor Heritage Calendars are no longer available. Thanks to all who supported this annual VHS project. We look forward to your participation again next year.
The cover of the 2018 Calendar features a reproduction of a Vintage Victor Souvenir Postcard and twelve historic photos (one for each month), all generously contributed by LaJean Greeson. Detailed descriptions of the 13 historic photos can be found by CLICKING HERE.
The calendar was produced by the Victor Heritage Society in partnership with Newmont's Cripple Creek & Victor Mining Company. Victor Heritage Calendars for 2010 and successive years have become collector items.
The cover of the 2018 Calendar features a reproduction of a Vintage Victor Souvenir Postcard and twelve historic photos (one for each month), all generously contributed by LaJean Greeson. Detailed descriptions of the 13 historic photos can be found by CLICKING HERE.
The calendar was produced by the Victor Heritage Society in partnership with Newmont's Cripple Creek & Victor Mining Company. Victor Heritage Calendars for 2010 and successive years have become collector items.
Gold Rush Days 2017. We had a great time. Hope you did too.
GOLD RUSH DAYS 2017
Members and friends of the
Victor Heritage Society strolled along
Victor Avenue dressed in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days parade.
Thanks to all who participated by
helping celebrate Victor's proud heritage! Our entry received a 1st Prize Award!
Members and friends of the
Victor Heritage Society strolled along
Victor Avenue dressed in period costume during the annual Gold Rush Days parade.
Thanks to all who participated by
helping celebrate Victor's proud heritage! Our entry received a 1st Prize Award!
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Stain 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.
For details, scroll to the bottom of the "Preservation Successes and Challenges" Page. Please contact us if you can share more information about its journey.
This stain glass window from the Iconic Victor Christian Christian Science Church Building, "Gone Forever--But Not Forgotten", was recently discovered.
For details, scroll to the bottom of the "Preservation Successes and Challenges" Page. Please contact us if you can share more information about its journey.
OTHER VICTOR EVENTS |