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

SPONSORED PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Annual Activities

Gold Rush Days Parade Entry

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​     Members and friends of Victor Heritage Society march in period costume in the annual Gold Rush Day Parade on the 3rd weekend in July.  Gather at the Sandlin House  on west Victor Avenue before the parade and join the fun by following the Victor Heritage Society Banner along the parade route.  Everyone is welcome!   
     If you are looking for a period costume, a selection of vintage clothing may be found at several Victor businesses including Mountain High Antiques, Muleshoe Antiques, Victor Trading Company, or Marilyn Fay.  Click photos to enlarge.

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Annual Victor Heritage Calendars

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Mint Bar Painting by George Foott--2016 Calendar Cover
     In partnership with the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining Company, the Victor Heritage Society publishes an annual calendar--with historic photos and artwork for each month illustrating Victor's rich heritage.  Calendars for 2010 and successive years have become collector items.
     An expanded format for the
2022 Victor Heritage Calendar covered January 2022 through January 2023.  It featured 14 rare historic photos shared from the collections of the H.L. Turner family, Tekavee family, & La Jean Greeson.
     The 2021 Victor Heritage Calendar cover photo documented a 1943 WWII Roll of Honor on the Monarch Block wall listing Citizens of Teller County who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Monthly photos featured Lowell Thomas with a Key to the City, the 1902 Victor Opera House, Swedish Lutheran Church, Independence Mine & Mill, First Passenger Train Arriving in Victor in 1894, Deputy Sheriffs sent to the Mining District during the 1894 Labor Strike, July 4th 1895 Celebration at the Original Victor Hotel, Vice President Teddy Roosevelt visiting Victor's Gold Mines in 1901, Gold Coin Club burning in the Great Fire of August 1899, Victor City Hall & Early Fire Truck, Miners at the Independence Mine, Bank Block~New Victor Hotel.  Photos were shared by Linda Irene Tingvik, Steve Plutt, Lori Newland Lorenz, La Jean Greeson and the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum.  
     The 2020 Calendar cover featured an amazing photo shared by Linda Irene Tingvik showing the Shaft House of the Gold Coin Mine, Gold Coin Club, Gold Coin Block, Midland Terminal Depot, buildings on the west side of North Fourth Street and the Mary Cashen Mine circa 1902.  Featured monthly photos were contributed by Cody Swab, Rose Noal, James Davidson, Audrey Dazey, and La Jean Greeson.

     The 2019 Calendar contained 13 historic photos contributed by Linda Irene Tingvik, Jody Cottier Wells, and La Jean Greeson commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City of Mines in 1894.
     The 2018 Calendar featured a color vintage Victor souvenir postcard on the cover and 12 rare historical photos contributed by LaJean Greeson.  

     The 2017 Calendar featured 13 rare and historical Victor photos contributed by Nancy Galbraith, LaJean Greeson, and Dorothy Delina Porter.  
     The 2016 Calendar featured photos of artwork by Cherry Hunter and George Foott from a collection donated by Jim & Joyce Vandever.  
     Submissions of historic photos and artwork that might be considered for inclusion on future calendars are most welcome.  Your originals will be scanned and returned.  Alternatively, send scanned copies of your original photos or artwork (saved as  JPG files) attached to an e-mail addressed to VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.

Victor Historic House and Building Tours

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     Attend the annual Historic House and Building Tour during Gold Rush Days--the third weekend in July.  

     See how the interiors and exteriors of Victor's Gold Rush Era structures have been preserved and adapted to current uses.  

     Home and building owners are available to provide information about the history and architectural features of each structure.

     Pictured are a few of the homes and buildings featured on recent tours.  

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* Click HERE for photos of the properties featured on our 2013 -- 2022 tours. 


Annual Landmark Awards

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     The Victor Landmark Award is presented to recognize and encourage outstanding achievements in exterior preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or compatible new construction that contributes to the enhancement of historic areas of the City of Victor, Colorado. 
     The award is presented to the owner of record in recognition of work accomplished on a particular building.  Recipients are recognized at a General Membership meeting where they present the history as well as an architectural description of the structure and receive an award plaque that can be attached to the exterior of the structure.  

     Award nominations are accepted annually by the Victor Heritage Society's Landmark Awards Committee.  Nominations may be submitted by any resident, business owner, professional representative, Victor Heritage Society member, or interested party.    The Landmark Awards Committee reviews all nominations and recommends those that will be invited to apply for the Landmark Award.  Criteria for selecting award nominees may be found in a booklet available from the Heritage Society -- "Victor, Colorado: The City of Mines with Architecture Worth Preserving, An Informational Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage".  
     Nominees recommended by the Landmarks Committee receive a letter of notification along with an application.  To complete the nomination process and receive the award, nominees must (1) complete and return the landmark application form to the Landmark Awards Committee by the designated deadline, (2) provide a history and architectural description of the property, and (3) attend or send a representative to the annual Victor Heritage Society Landmark Awards Presentation Meeting.
     Click here to see recipients of Victor Landmark Awards.  Also shown are the Victor properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Victor Celebrates the Arts Heritage Award

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Quick Draw VCTA Event in Wallace Park
s     Established in 2000, the annual Victor Celebrates the Arts Festival attracts En Plein Air artists from throughout the nation to Victor to paint on site during the week before Labor Day.  The paintings are displayed in a Juried Art Show and Sale held in the historic Victor Elks Lodge ballroom on Labor Day Weekend.  The Victor Heritage Society sponsors $250 worth of cash prizes to recognize two paintings in the annual show that best depict Victor's Heritage.  
     Thanks to all who participate as artists, patrons, and volunteers helping with the many duties necessary to make this annual event such a great success.  VHS members are well represented in all these important facets of the annual show and sale which brings thousands of visitors to Victor and continues to develop a body of art work that helps document, preserve and promote the rich heritage of Victor and the Gold Camp for future generations.   

Victor TommyKnockers Downhill Race Car

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Victor TommyKnocker Downhill Race Car.
     The Victor TommyKnockers Downhill Race Car is a classic--and a legendary part of Victor's Heritage.  It was built and sponsored by Robert and Maxine Marchese, Heritage Society members and charter members of the Victor TommyKnockers (a group of part-time residents organized to support and promote Victor).  The car frequently appears in Victor Gold Rush Days Parades.
     Watch for details to be announced about upcoming downhill races.  Be sure to attend to cheer on the City's TommyKnocker Racer as new speed records are set while streaking down Victor Avenue.  Yes it can outrun a donkey--at least on the downhill straightaway.   

Silver Dollar Contest at the Historic Victor Bowling Alley
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Click on photos to enlarge.
For many years, Carolyn & John VanSciver, opened the Historic Victor Bowling Alley during Gold Rush Days.
For a small donation to support Heritage Society projects, contestants could win a silver dollar by bowling a perfect frame.  Three strikes and you were a winner.  
This property now has new owners.  Welcome to Victor!
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Look closely, the ball is heading down lane 4.
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Vintage pin setting machine at the Historic Victor Bowling Alley.
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Looks like the young lady in purple could be going home with a silver dollar.


Other Sponsored Activities & Programs

Historic Victor Walking Tour Signage

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     The Victor Heritage Society provided research and local matching funds to obtain a grant from the Gold Belt Tour / Scenic Byways Program to develop signage for the Historic Victor Walking Tour.  
     A walking tour brochure and a series of 15 signs tell the unique history of Victor and the hardrock mining Gold Camp.  Look for the signs on slant-boards mounted on posts along street curbs.  The Walking Tour Brochure is available from the Visitors' Center in the Alta Vista Railroad Depot, the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum, and from mailboxes attached to some of sign posts.    

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The Victor Historic Walking Tour Signs are included in a nationwide Historical Marker Database.  The text and photos from most of the walking tour signs, and photographs of many of the featured historic buildings can be viewed by clicking HERE.

PictureDave Harmon portraying General William Jackson Palmer (1836-1909) at Saint Victor's Catholic Church, August 10, 2019. Click photo to enlarge.
Chautauqua Presentation Featuring William Jackson Palmer, Portrayed by Dave Harmon, in Honor of the 125th Anniversary of the City of Victor
     To commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City in 1984, the Victor Heritage sponsored a Chautauqua Presentation with Dave Harmon portraying General William Jackson Palmer.  The free public event was held August 10, 2019 at Saint Victor's Catholic Church.
     General Palmer was a railroad tycoon, generous philanthropist, and founder of the City of Colorado Springs.  He is known for developing the railroads that connected Colorado with the rest of the Nation. 
     Palmer's Denver & Rio Grande Railroad helped accelerate development of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District by providing connections to the rest of the State and Nation from the three lines that transported passengers and supplies to and from the District, and also shipped gold ore to the processing mills located in Florence, Pueblo, and Old Colorado City (where coal and water required for their operations were more plentiful and cheaper).


PictureOver 100 historic photos projected on the BIG SCREEN at the Victor Community Center by La Jean Greeson -- July 5 & 6, 2019. Click photo of enlarge.
Historic Photos Presented in Honor of the 125th Anniversary of the City of Mines

​     To commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City in 1894, the Victor Heritage Society sponsored two narrated viewings of over 100 fantastic photos documenting the history of Victor and the nearby Mining District.  The July 5th & 6th, 2019 presentations were prepared, narrated, and projected with amazing clarity onto the big screen at the Community Center by La Jean Greeson. 
     Thank You La Jean for sharing more of your photos and knowledge about Victor's Heritage -- to the delight of all who attended.  Thank You to the City of Victor for making the facilities at the Community Center (former Swedish Lutheran Church) available for these events.


PictureTarie Huber & La Jean Greeson (interviewer). Tarie's Oral History Videos premiered on the BIG SCREEN at the Community Center on July 7, 2019. They can also be viewed on YouTube -- click links below.
Oral History Videos Presented in Honor of the 125th Anniversary of the City of Mines

     The public was invited to the premier viewing at the Community Center (July 7, 2019) of five oral history videos from an interview with long-time Victor resident Tarie Huber.  The five videos feature Tarie remembering how her great grandparents came to Victor in the 1890's, the good times and challenging times, and many heart-warming, funny stories about Tarie's life in Victor.
     Thank You to Tarie Huber who was 83 years young when interviewed in September 2018 at her home in Goldfield.  A special thanks to the Huber family for assisting in sharing Tarie's stories, La Jean Greeson (interviewer) and Marion Zachary (videographer).
​      The five part video series sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society can be accessed searching for the "Victor Heritage Society" Channel on YouTube, or by clicking the following highlighted links:  
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 Part 1 of 5, Part 2 of 5, Part 3 of 5, Part 4 of 5, Part 5 of 5.
Each video is approximately 10 minutes.​


PictureSixty Crosses for Unmarked Graves Donated by VHS & Marchese Family
Partnership to Place Crosses on Graves of Unknown Buried in the Potter's Field at Sunnyside Cemetery

     Bob & Maxine Marchese, VHS members, took charge of designing and arranging for the fabrication of 60 crosses placed on graves for the unknown in the Potter's Field at Sunnyside Cemetery.  The project was completed in October 2018. 
     The Victor Heritage Society partnered with the Marchese Family in covering the cost of producing the durable white metal crosses that replaced temporary wooden crosses which were vulnerable to being damaged by mowing and animals grazing in the cemetery. 
     A special thanks to Kirk Myers, who installed the crosses, and Valdean Myers, who coordinates projects to maintain the cemetery and preserve its history by giving informational tours with the help of her daughter Alicia and granddaughter Morgan. 

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PictureHorse race on Victor Ave which is lined with buildings and a crowd enjoying the event. Photo (taken after 1905) shared from the collection of Linda Irene Tingvik.
STEP BACK IN TIME WITH GLIMPSES OF HISTORICAL PHOTOS FEATURING VICTOR & THE SURROUNDING MINING DISTRICT:  A Power Point Presentation by La Jean Greeson sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society (September 15, 2018).

     An enthralled overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by La Jean Greeson in the theater at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center.  La Jean's power point presentation featured favorites from her amazing collection of rare historical photos of Victor and the nearby Gold Mining District.  CLICK HERE to view YouTube Videography of the event  made by Marion Zachary of Blue Sky Designs.


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RAILROADS IN THE WORLD'S GREATEST GOLD CAMP, An Evening With Mel McFarland Sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society  (August 11, 2018).

     An overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Mel McFarland at Victor's Ag & Mining Museum.  Mel's presentation, enhanced with a collection of historic photos projected on slides, featured the trains that once served the Mining District. 
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At its peak, the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District was served by three railroads:
  • The Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad came up from Florence through Phantom Canyon,
  • The Midland Railroad came from Colorado Springs over Ute Pass to Divide where the Midland Terminal Railroad branched off to reach the Gold Camp via a route similar to Highway 67, and
  • The Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railroad, also known as "The Short Line", offered the most direct path between Colorado Springs and the Mining District via a route now called Gold Camp Road.
Two Interurban Street-Car Railroads, known as the High Line and Low Line, also served the cities and mines throughout the Gold Camp so most miners could ride to work for a nickel.​     

PictureMel McFarland (standing) presented a fascinating slide show and talk to members and guests of the Victor Heritage Society gathered at Victor's Agriculture & Mining Museum. This building once housed the Victor Ford Dealership.
     Mel McFarland (standing in photo to left) described the boom times when the Florence & Cripple Creek RR, the Midland Terminal RR, and the Short Line RR came to the Mining District, how they vigorously competed with each other, and what eventually led to the demise of each.
     Mel is retired teacher well known for his newspaper columns and books about regional trains.
​    For sixteen years he also enjoyed working as a conductor and engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. 
     A historic Midland Railroad caboose in the back yard of his home is yet another example of his passion for preserving the history of the train lines that served the Pikes Peak region and other parts of Colorado.


PictureChautauqua actor Ron West portrays James Burns, co-founder of the Portland Mine. The free Chautauqua presentation held at Saint Victor's Catholic Church was sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society as a community service to help preserve our hard-rock mining heritage.
CHAUTAUQUA PRESENTATION FEATURING JIMMY BURNS, Co-founder of the Fantastic Portland Mine (July 1, 2017).

     A large group attended a Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Ron West, a Chautauqua actor who portrays James Burns, the co-founder of the Portland Mine.  “Mr. Burns” recounted the story of how the one-time partners and friends, James Burns and James Doyle, filed a tiny claim on Battle Mountain in 1892 for their Portland Mine.  With the advice and financial backing of Winfield Scott Stratton, the Portland eventually developed into the largest underground gold 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 moguls with widely divergent philosophies about treatment of employees, managing ore reserves, paying dividends, and conducting business.  "Mr. Burns" related the fascinating story of the ensuing personality and policy conflicts, what happened to the “two Jimmy's” and their oft-times embattled associates, and the fate of the Portland Mine--once deemed "Colorado's Richest Gold Mine".
     The story included those who subsequently gained and lost control of the mine, who became mayor of Victor, who served time in jail, who became president of the First National Bank in Colorado Springs and built an opera house there, ... and much more.

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In 1892 James Burns and James Doyle staked out a tiny triangular piece of unclaimed land on Battle Mountain that was barely larger than a tenth of an acre. With help of more knowledgeable and powerful friends, like Winfield Scott Stratton, their Portland Mine grew to 183 acres with three separate shafts producing millions of dollars of gold. While the partners became rich in the process, they were no longer friends and eventually others gained control of the mine they discovered and developed.
    At the conclusion of his presentation, Ron West answered questions and explained that he took on portraying “Jimmy Live” because Burns has been forgotten by most people today.  Most would say they never heard of Burns, but if they had been around during his time they certainly would have because Burns did not fit the mold of the typical mine owner.  “He ran his mine the way he wanted to, not the way many other mine owners and board members thought he should.”  Ron considers it his mission to bring Jimmy Burns back and remind people that there were others, besides Stratton and Penrose, who made a significant difference in the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District as well as the entire Pikes Peak Region.​  

PictureCity Directories and Sanborn Maps are available at the Victor Library on South 3rd Street.
Research Materials Donated to the Victor Public Library--Sanborn Insurance Maps

     To help those researching the location of historic homes and buildings in Victor and the surrounding Gold Camp, the Victor Heritage Society donated a set of large (17" x 23") Sanborn Insurance Maps for use in the Victor Public Library (located at 124 S 3rd Street, phone 719-689-2011).  
     The donated Sanborn Map set includes plats for 1894, 1896, 1900, 1908, and 1919.  The large plat maps show (for lots, block by block), the location and footprint of homes, businesses, churches, public buildings, streets, railroad lines, nearby mining claims, and much more.  In addition to the City of Victor, for some years the set of maps also provide information about nearby towns such as Goldfield, Independence, Altman, and Midway.  
     Please contact us if you have research materials or photos you would like to make available through the Victor Heritage Society or the Victor Public Library.  We can scan photos or materials that you would like to share, so you can retain the originals as keepsakes if that is your preference.


Oral History Training Workshop & Archived Materials

     Victor Heritage Society sponsored an Oral History Training Workshop conducted by Rick and Katherine Scott Sturdevant at the Elks Lodge on May 23, 2009.  Kathy and Rick shared their research techniques and expertise, some of which can also be found in two books which Kathy has authored--Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History, and Organizing and Preserving Your Heirloom Documents.
 
     Click HERE to View Selected Materials Archived in the VHS Collection of Gold Camp Memories:  Family Connections & History.  
  • Please contact us to share histories, memories, or family connections to Victor and the World's Greatest Gold Camp.  Be known for the memories you preserve and share.  It's your legacy.
  • Stories should be written in your own words and  accompanied by relevant photographs (when possible).   
  • For additional information, contact our Oral History Coordinator--Shirley Beach.  Archiving these materials is important to preserving your heritage for future generations.
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Kathy Sturdevant -- Directing Oral History Workshop at Victor Elks Lodge.
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Rick Sturdevant -- Oral History Workshop Sponsored by VHS.

Contributions to Nonprofit Partners

     Victor Heritage Society has made contributions to these nonprofit partners:  Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum, Victor's Agriculture & Mining Museum, Ute Pass Historical Society, Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition, Coalition of Pikes Peak Historic Museums, Victor Celebrates the Arts Festival, Teller County WWII Veterans Memorial Committee, Victor Trolley Group, Victor Elks Lodge Elevator Fund, Save the Victor Miners' Union Hall Fund, Friends of St Victor's Catholic Church, and Goldfield City Hall Restoration Committee.  We invite you to support these worthy causes and organizations.

Nonprofit Pass-Through Grant Sponsor / Administrator
  
     Victor Heritage Society has served as a nonprofit pass-through sponsor / administrator to enable several qualifying building owners to obtain lower matching fund grants:
  • Antlers Hotel--administrator for stabilization assessment grant after the building was ravaged by a fire.
  • Page Building--administrator for restoration grant.
  • Pikes Peak Power Building--facilitator helping convey ownership of the derelict, abandoned building from the present-day power company to an architect / contractor who maintained the historic character of the exterior of the building while adaptively re-purposing the interior of the building to become unique loft apartment units.  

Colorado History Bus Tour Host
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     Victor Heritage Society members in period costume organized an orientation for overnight visitors on a bus tour sponsored by the Colorado Historic Society on October 29, 2013.  Ray Drake and Marilyn Fay provided historic and present day perspectives on life in the City of Victor.  

     Main Street Coordinator, Becky Parham, summarized recent program achievements and distributed bags of promotional materials.  Sandy Honeycut, City Clerk, provided a guided tour showcasing the historic City Hall building.       
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Historic Photo Fair & Archives

     The public was invited to bring historic Victor / Gold Camp photos along with stories about the photos for a weekend display and reminiscing at the Historic Victor Elks Lodge.  The Heritage Society provided equipment to reproduce the photos for display at the "fair" and to create captions indicating the photographer, the owner, and information of interest about the photos.  Our technical expert, Terri Stierhoff, scanned and digitally recorded over 135 photos during the event.  
     Participants were able to share their photos and stories with all who attended the fair while retaining custody of their originals.  Those who chose to donate copies of their photos to the Heritage Society collection could also have them displayed at the recently restored City Hall and have them archived for future viewing.  A $100 prize was awarded for the photo receiving the most first place ballots during the public display at City Hall.
     Our historic Victor / Gold Camp Photo Archives also includes donated photos from the Joe Vanderwalker Photo Collection of hardrock mining structures, as well as several other donated family photo collections.  Selected photos from our archives are featured on our annual Victor Heritage Calendar.
     If you have photos to be preserved in our archives, please contact us:  VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.  We can scan your photos and return them if you prefer to keep the originals. 

Historic Quilt Show

     The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a historic quilt show at the Elks Lodge.  Participants displayed 24 unique quilts and shared stories about the quilt makers and owners.  The People's Choice prize winner was a magnificent crazy quilt made by from a former resident of Elkton and now owned by Shawn Frizzell.  

Antique Treasure Hunt

     Victor Heritage Society sponsored its own version of the Antique Road Show.  Participants brought items for identification, appraisal and display at a weekend exhibit at the historic Elks Lodge.   

Fund Raiser & Support for the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum

     The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a fund raiser for the Victor-Lowell Thomas Museum.  Katherine Scott Sturdevant, noted regional historian at Pikes Peak Community College and expert on the Colorado Labor Wars, spoke to a group of over 100 guests at the Elks Lodge about events surrounding the 1903-04 Labor Wars in Victor and the Gold Camp.  
     The Heritage Society also donated funds to the campaign to restore the windows in the museum building.
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