Victor Heritage Society
Working Together to Preserve 
Historic Victor, Colorado
City of Gold Mines
  • Home
    • La Jean Greeson"s Presentations at Gold Coin Club in Victor, Colorado
    • Round Table Discussion in Pinnacle Park by Victor Historians
    • 2024 Historic Building Tour, Victor, Colorado
    • Ceremony Remembering the Teller County Gold Star Servicemen of WWII in Wallace Park
    • Victor Heritage Society Picnic at Bison Reservoir
  • 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
    • Theodore Roosevelt's Chaotic & Triumphant Visits to Victor
    • “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.
    • Memories of H. L. Turner (1882-1967) and His Experiences in the Early Days of the Cripple Creek Mining District.
    • H. L. Turner Story--Part 2: Unique Perspectives About the History of Victor, Colorado & 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
  • Visit
PictureFourth of July early 1900's--Horse-Drawn Fire Wagon #1 (in front of the new Victor City Hall constructed after the Great Fire of August 1899) is decorated for the parade. According to the caption embedded at the top of the photo, "the following year, the Victor Fire Department won the World Hose Run Championship in San Francisco."
GOLD CAMP CELEBRATION:  Fourth of July in Victor, Early 1900's 
Childhood Memories Recalled by Gertrude Moore McGowan (1905-1992)
Submitted by her Daughter, Nancy McGowan Galbraith. 


     Fourth of July in our small mountain gold mining town was different in many ways from traditional celebrations. 

​     For one thing, we had no speakers to declaim the wonders of our glorious land.  We knew without being told that there was no place like it, even though many of us children had never traveled even as far as the nearest big city, fifty miles away.  The high, tree-covered mountains surrounded the crater-like little town, with its up-hill and down-hill streets, the houses marching like stair-steps down the steep slopes.

PictureHarry Gordon Moore--When leading the parade, my father proudly wore his uniform from service as a Captain of Company L of the State Militia.
     We had, first, a parade with the miners’ band in the lead.  My father, resplendent in his State Militia uniform and handle-bar moustache, marched in time at the head of it.  His knowledge and appreciation of music was limited to marches and “Red Wing” (a popular song written in 1907), but heading the street parade was among his big moments.  

     There were the usual floats on the big freight company wagons, elaborately decorated in red, white and blue crepe paper and bunting, representing the various clubs, lodges and other groups.  One memorable day members of a sewing club to which I belonged were allowed to ride in the parade.  We were sponsored by a business woman in town whose small shop featured women’s wear, sewing notions and embroidery work.  We were all dressed in our Sunday best, with cork-screw curls standing at awkward angles, apprehensive lest the horses might become frightened and run away, dragging us through the streets.  Nevertheless we were eager to be part of the big celebration and anxious to take our place in the line of march.  There were the saddle horses, sunlight shining on their sleek sides, prancing nervously, causing too eager viewers to step back on the sidewalk with squeals of panic when they veered too close.

Picture
Militia Marching in 1901 4th of July Parade--Corner of Victor Ave & N 3rd Street. Fortune Club Building (upper left), Monarch Building (right).
Picture
Men of Company L of Colorado State Militia posed in Armory Building (now the Victor Elks Lodge). Harry Gordon Moore, seated in front (center) in double breasted jacket.
PictureAfter the Fourth of July Parade, there was a ball game followed by lunch, and then a rodeo in the afternoon. My brother, Howard, competed in the Bronco Busting Contest and usually won first place--an honor about which he bragged endlessly.
     Following the parade there was a ball game, then time out for lunch.  We children made short work of running the few blocks down the hill to our homes to gulp quick sandwiches and a glass of milk before hurrying back so as not to miss any important events.
​
     A rodeo in the afternoon followed the lunch period.  Though I was afraid of the animals, I followed the crowd to the ball park and got a seat in the grand-stand.  The hot sun was blistering my neck and arms and the board seats were unyielding.  But since my brother was one of the rodeo performers, I stayed through it, eagerly watching for his appearance in the arena.  He competed in the bronco-busting contest and usually won first place, an honor about which he bragged endlessly.  

     The last and, to many, the most important event of the day was a drilling contest.  After the rodeo a huge granite rock was hauled onto the field and participating teams lined up to wait for the starting signal.  One man would hold the drill steel in place against the rock and the other wielded the single-jack, which is a four-pound hammer on a short handle.  The purpose was to drill as far into the rock as was possible within a stated time.  After each team finished, the measurement of the distance drilled was recorded and two more teams started.  This went on for as long as anybody wished to compete.

     The prize was a huge $25, which seemed a large amount to be paid for what they did every day, and many competed.  No doubt it involved considerable skill, strength and team-work, but it seemed to me rather a silly way to spend one’s holiday time.  Anyhow I usually got nervous after the first couple of contests, fearing the hammer would slip and somebody get hurt.  Then I, along with other kids in my neighborhood, would gradually drift along home, hungry, thirsty, dirty, sunburned and tired.
​
     There was a street dance in the evening, but that was off-limits for children my age.  I was secretly glad to fall asleep in my soft, clean bed, even though I begged till the last gasp for the privilege of dragging myself back up the hill to Main Street to watch.

"Gold Camp Celebration:  Fourth of July in Victor, Early 1900's:  Childhood Memories Recalled by Gertrude Moore McGowen" submitted (August 2017) by her daughter, Nancy McGowan Galbraith.
​
Picture Moore children (about 1911) on front porch of home at 509 S 3rd Street. Back--Victor; Middle--Gertrude & Howard; Front--John & Edward. Not shown--Pearl & Wallace.
  ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
       At the time of this story, Gertrude Moore McGowan (1905-1992), daughter of Lulu and Harry Moore, lived at 509 South Third Street along with sister (Pearl) and brothers (Victor, Howard, Wallace, John, and Edward).  
     Click this link for “Memories Lulu Ella Manson and Harry Gordon Moore”—Gertrude McGowan’s recollections about how her parents arrived in Victor in the early 1890's and coped with the challenges of raising their family during boom and bust years into the 1930's. 
     Gertrude Moore graduated from Victor High School in 1923.  After pursuing additional education and job opportunities elsewhere, she returned to Victor to help her father in the Post Office.  While working there, she met Edgar McGowan and they married in 1933.  Click this link for Edgar McGowan’s “Memories of the Gold Rush Era in Victor—Those Who Struck it Rich & Lost It All.” 
     For the most part, Gertrude and Edgar McGowan raised their three children (Nancy, Elaine, and Donald) in Victor.  Gertrude was employed as a bookkeeper at the Cresson Mine office from the late 1940s until 1956 when they moved to Wyoming.  After Edgar died in 1967, Gertrude moved to California and then to Colorado Springs where she died in 1992.  
     Gertrude Moore McGowan’s recollections of 4th of July Celebrations during her childhood days in Victor were written when she was living in California.  The story was submitted by Gertrude’s daughter, Nancy McGowan Galbraith (1935-2021).  [Photos contributed by Nancy Galbraith and La Jean Greeson.]

​Click this link for another story of interest authored by Gertrude Moore McGowan titled "PAYING THE PIPER." Also published in GOOD OLD DAYS MAGAZINE in 1973, the setting is based on Gertrude's childhood memories and lessons learned while growing up on S 3rd Street in Victor, Colorado in the early 1900's.  

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR:
     Nancy Galbraith (1935-2021) left a lasting legacy to her family and others by preserving and sharing fascinating stories about  her maternal grandparents (Lulu & Harry Gordon Moore) and parents (Edgar & Gertrude Moore McGowan).  According to her children, PJ & Keith, "Mom loved Victor and got a lot of enjoyment over the years sharing memories of the place where she grew up."  In her honor, they commissioned a plaque that says "
Nancy Ella McGowan Higgins Galbraith traveled the world, but her heart never left Victor."  ​

THE PAST MATTERS.  PASS IT ALONG.
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