2019 VICTOR HERITAGE CALENDARS--125th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
​AVAILABLE NOW, GET THEM WHILE THEY LAST

Victor Avenue Looking East. Cover Photo for the 2019 Victor Heritage Calendar which celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City in 1894.

     Copies of the 2019 Victor Heritage Calendar are available now for a $10 donation from these local shops:

• The Fragile Edge--at the corner of Victor Ave & South 4th Street.
• The Prospectors Pick--at 106 North 4th Street.
• MidCentury Elegance inside Gallery 80860--at 102 South 4th Street.
• Gold Camp Artists Co-op--at the corner of Victor Ave & South 2nd Street in the upper level of Victor's Ag & Mining Museum.

     Mail order copies are available for a donation of $15 (includes postage &  handling) by sending a check to Victor Heritage Society, PO Box 424, Victor, CO 80860.

     The 2019 Calendar features 13 historic photos generously shared by La Jean Greeson, Linda Irene Tingvik, and Jody Cottier Wells.  These photos serve as a special reminder that 2019 is the 125th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City of Victor in 1894.  Brief identifying captions for the photos are printed on the last page of the calendar.  More detailed descriptions of the photos can be found by CLICKING HERE.  

​​     This calendar was produced by the Victor Heritage Society in partnership with Newmont's Cripple Creek & Victor Mining Company.   Our annual Victor Heritage Calendars for successive years starting in 2010 have become collector items.  Copies of the 2019 edition are limited, so obtain yours while they are still available.  The calendars make great Christmas gifts, but could be out of stock by December.          

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Join or Renew Your Membership in the Victor Heritage Society.  
​Click HERE to Print an August 2018 t0 August 2019 Membership Year Form.  

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Links to What's New:

• Step Back in Time With Glimpses of Historical Photos Featuring Victor & the Surrounding Mining District.  Video of a power point presentation by La Jean Greeson, Sept 15, 2018.
• 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.  
• ​​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​.

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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. 

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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) 

Fortune Club Diner

Junk Posse

Baptist Church

Nana's Attic

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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, and hosting a Historical Chautauqua Actor Portraying James Burns (co-founder of the Portland Mine).  (MORE)

Tours of Historic Homes & Buildings

Gold Rush Days Parade Victorian Costume Entry

Historic Preservation Guidelines Booklet

Downtown Historic Walking Tour Signage

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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.  

Duggan-Berry House

Victor High School

Davis-Abbott House

McKenna-Sultzer House

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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)

Victor Hotel

Midland Terminal Depot

Downtown Historic District

Independence Mine

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PRESERVATION GUIDELINES, GALLERY OF RESIDENCES & BUSINESSES

• 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 of This Old Victor House/Building--Then & Now.  (MORE)
• View a photo gallery 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 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,

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ORAL HISTORY

     History, Memories, & Family Connections to Victor and the World's Greatest Gold
     Camp including:​

• "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 #3.  Seven Generations in Victor, Colorado & the Mining District--The Way It Was as Recalled by Eleanor Musser Baker (1920-1965) 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 (1920-1965) 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 (1920-1965) and her mother, Sadie Musser (1890-1965)".
• "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.
• "Paying the Piper--It wasn't fair, but Mama's smiling comment, "We Are Women," was fully understood by her young daughter only after years of living, loving, and learning."   Gertrude Moore McGowan's story of Life Lessons Learned From Her Mother While Growing Up in Victor, Colorado in the Early 1900's was published in GOOD OLD DAYS MAGAZINE and submitted by her daughter, Nancy McGowan Galbraith.
• "Gold Camp Celebration:  Fourth of July in Victor, Early 1900's--Childhood Memories Recalled by Gertrude Moore McGowan (1905-1992)" and submitted by her daughter, Nancy McGowan Galbraith.
• "Memories of Lulu Ella Manson & Harry Gordon Moore" as recalled in letters written by Gertrude Moore McGowan (daughter) and submitted by Nancy McGowan Galbraith (granddaughter),
• "Memories of Fannie & Alfred Osborn:  My Great Grandparents Who Lived in Teller County at Gillett Flats, Victor, and the Osborn Homestead which is now part of Mueller State Park" by Marge Breth,
• "Memories of Cripple Creek & Victor, 1945--1962" by Mary Alice Orazen,
• "The Story of Axel Olson and His Golden Girl, Betzi Johnson:  The Gold Was In His Heart, Not His Hand" 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--Those Who Struck it Rich & Lost It All, Highgrading, Movie Theaters and the Opera House" by Edgar McGowan,
• "A Day in the Life of a Miner" by Charles (Chuck) Clark,
• "Underground Mining Experiences at the Cresson and Ajax" by Myron House, 
• Hynes Brothers 'Clean Ice' for Victor--Memories of Mary Ellen Hynes Chetelat" from Denver Post Empire Magazine, September 26, 1971,
• "Memories of Marguerite Clark--One of Victor's Angels" by Charles (Chuck) Clark,
• "Vice-President Roosevelt's Welcome and Speech at the Gold Coin Club" from The Denver Times, August 10 1901,
• "Memories of Pop Sly -- Ernest T. Sly, The Band Man" by Charles (Chuck) Clark,
• "Memories of Charlie Clark & the Quality Cash Market" by Charles (Chuck) Clark, 
• "Memories of Mr. Mortenson--The Victor Shoemaker" by Charles (Chuck) Clark,
• "Heninger Family Memories of Victor, Portland Junction, and Independence:  1909-1916" by Virginia and Edgar Heninger,

• "Reflections on Goldfield" by Carol Roberts,
• "Growing Up in Victor in the '30s" by Bob Penman. 

     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.

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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)

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VICTOR HERITAGE SOCIET​Y EVENTS: 
​2018 VHS Events 
 
 















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​Hope You Were Able to Attend These 2017 VHS 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.
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Victor Historic House & Building Tour--Saturday, July 21, 2108, 11 AM to 4 PM, Tickets $10 per person (photos & details at top of page).  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.

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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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 Milford 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.
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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.
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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.  
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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.
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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. 

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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 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----------------------$20 
• Commercial----------------$35
• Nonprofit Partners--------$25

• Click Here to Print & Mail in your Victor Heritage Society Membership Form with dues for the Aug 2016-Aug 2017 year now.  
• Victor Heritage Society is a 503 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  Your support may be 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

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BULLETIN BOARD

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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! 

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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.  

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OTHER VICTOR EVENTS

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