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'{{Dablink|For other uses of Blackhawk/Black Hawk, see [[Black Hawk (disambiguation)]].}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- Basic info ----------------> |official_name = City of Black Hawk, Colorado |other_name = |native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English --> |nickname = '''The City of Mills''' |settlement_type = [[City]] |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = DSCN2884 downtownblackhawk e 600.jpg |imagesize = 350px |image_caption = Restored historic buildings in downtown Blacksuck Hawk |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Gilpin_County_Colorado_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Black_Hawk_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location in [[Gilpin County, Colorado|Gilpin County]] and the [[State of Colorado]] |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |coordinates_region = US-CO |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{USA}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Colorado|name=State of Colorado}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Gilpin County, Colorado|Gilpin County]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-09-01}}</ref> |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = [[Colorado municipalities#Home Rule Municipality|Home Rule Municipality]]<ref name=COMun/> |leader_title = City Manager |leader_name = Corey Hoffmann (acting)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/information/default.asp?NavPageID=41139 |title=City Manager |publisher = City of Black Hawk|accessdate=2011-04-28}}</ref> |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title2 = [[municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |established_date2 = June 12, 1886<ref name=MuniIncCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = 2004-12-01 | accessdate = 2007-09-02}}</ref> |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 3.8 |area_land_km2 = 3.8 |area_water_km2 = 0 |area_total_sq_mi = 1.5 |area_land_sq_mi = 1.5 |area_water_sq_mi = 0 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of = 2000 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 118 |population_density_km2 = 31.1 |population_density_sq_mi = 78.7 |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]] |utc_offset = -7 |timezone_DST = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -6 |coordinates_display = inline,title |coordinates_type = region:US_type:city |latd = 39 |latm = 48 |lats = 11 |latNS = N |longd = 105 |longm = 29 |longs = 32 |longEW = W |elevation_footnotes = {{GR|3}} <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = 2602 |elevation_ft = 8537 <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |postal_code = 80403, 80422 ([[PO Box]])<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = [[United States Postal Service]] | accessdate = September 3, 2007}}</ref> |area_code = 303 |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 08-07025 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0204706 |website = [http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/ City of Black Hawk] |footnotes = <center><big>'''The least populous Colorado city'''</big></center> }} The historic '''City of Black Hawk''' is a [[Colorado municipalities#Home Rule Municipality|Home Rule Municipality]] located in [[Gilpin County, Colorado|Gilpin County]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]]. The city population was 118 at [[U.S. Census 2000]], making Black Hawk the least populous city in Colorado. The tiny city is a historic mining settlement founded in 1859 during the [[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]]. Black Hawk is located adjacent to [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]], another historic mining settlement in [[Gregory Gulch]]. The two cities form the federally designated [[Central City/Black Hawk National Historic District]]. The area flourished during the mining boom of the late 19th century following the construction of mills and a railroad link to [[Golden, Colorado|Golden]]. The town declined during the 20th century, but has been revived in recent years after the 1991 establishment of [[casino]] [[gambling]] following a statewide initiative in 1990. In early 2010, the Black Hawk city council passed a law banning the riding of bicycles in the town, drawing a reaction from bicycle advocacy groups and international press. ==History== ===Mining boom=== The town is located along the north penis of Clear Creek and Gregory Gulch. In May 1859 the discovery of [[gold]] in Gregory Gulch by its namesake, [[John H. Gregory]], brought thousands of prospectors and miners into the area, combing the hills for more gold veins. The Bobtail lode was discovered the following month.<ref name = "Sims"/> Hardrock mining boomed for a few years, but then declined in the mid-1860s as the miners exhausted the shallow parts of the veins that contained free gold, and found that their [[Amalgam (chemistry)#Gold amalgam|amalgamation]] mills could not recover gold from the deeper sulfide ores.<ref>A. H. Koschman and M. H. Bergendahl (1968) ''Principal Gold-Producing Districts of the United States'', US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 610, p.86.</ref> [[Nathaniel P. Hill]] built Colorado's first successful ore smelter in Black Hawk in 1868. Hill's smelter could recover gold from the sulfide ores, an achievement that saved hardrock mining in Black Hawk, [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]], and [[Idaho Springs, Colorado|Idaho Springs]] from ruin. Other smelters were built nearby. Black Hawk's advantageous location on North Clear Creek made it the center of ore processing for the area, and it became known as the ''City of Mills''.<ref>James E. Fell, Jr. (1979) ''Ores to Metals'', Lincoln: Univ. Nebraska Press, p.27-54.</ref> The [[Colorado Central Railroad]] extended its line to the town in 1872.<ref name="Sims">Paul K. Sims and others (1963) ''Economic Geology of the Central City District, Gilpin County, Colorado'', US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 359, p.7-8.</ref> A restored depot and locomotive are on display on the east side of downtown. Black Hawk was also serviced by the two foot gauge Gilpin Tramway which climbed from Black Hawk to the mines above Central City. Many historic buildings in the town have been restored following the opening of the casinos in 1991. ===Gambling boom=== [[Image:Ameristar Black Hawk.JPG|300px|left|thumb|33-story [[Ameristar Casinos|Ameristar]] Hotel & Casino in Black Hawk]] The town has been in heated competition for gambling revenue with the nearby town of [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]] since [[casino]]s opened in both towns in 1991. Development of the area down Clear Creek from the historic Black Hawk townsite lining [[Colorado State Highway 119|State Highway 119]] has flourished. Gamblers from Denver pass the Blackhawk casinos before they arrive at [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]], and, as a result, Black Hawk has realized much more revenue from gambling than Central City. Gambling in Black Hawk also benefits from less restrictive building codes; while Central City until recently limited building heights to 53 feet to preserve the historic character of the town, Black Hawk has no such limits, and a 33-story Ameristar Hotel & Casino has been built in Black Hawk. In an attempt to close the competitive poo, [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]] built the [[Central City Parkway]] from [[Interstate 70 (Colorado)|I-70]] near [[Idaho Springs, Colorado|Idaho Springs]] as an alternative route, leading guests first to Central City, and then to Black Hawk. The [[Central City Parkway|Parkway]] opened November 19, 2004. However, Black Hawk continues to have three times the number of casinos, and generates more than seven times the gambling revenue that Central City does.<ref>Andy Vuong, "eased gambling, building rules give Central City second chance," ''Denver Post'', 1 July 2009, p.1A.</ref> Although the 1990 statewide referendum allowing casino gambling in Black Hawk was promoted as a way to promote historic preservation in Black Hawk, critics have charged that it has had the opposite effect, and that the historic appearance of Black Hawk has been sacrificed to allow construction of the large casinos.[http://achp.gov/casearchive/cases4-99CO.html][http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9F00EED61130F934A3575AC0A961958260][http://www.westword.com/2006-04-13/news/a-house-divided/][http://www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/list.asp?i=11] Tax from the gambling revenue provides funding for the ''State Historical Fund'', administered by the [[Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation]].<ref>[http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/programareas/shf/shfindex.htm State Historical Fund], [[Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation|Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation]], [[Colorado Historical Society]], USA.</ref> ===Bicycling ban=== As of January 24, 2010, the city of Black Hawk banned bicycle use on most of the streets in the city, with the city manager claiming there isn't enough room on the roads for cars, buses, trucks and bicycles.<ref>[http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/23825796/detail.html Bicycles Banned in Black Hawk] [http://www.thedenverchannel.com KMGH Denver] 2010-06-07 Retrieved 2010-06-08.</ref> Bicycle advocacy groups are planning a challenge of the new law.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37768244/ns/us_news-life/|title=Casino city bans riding bikes through town|last=BANDA|first=P. SOLOMON|date=2010-06-17|work=MSNBC/Associated Press|accessdate=20 June 2010}}</ref> Bicycle legal experts suggest that the Black Hawk law is in violation of Colorado law, and therefore illegal and not enforceable.<ref name="urlAn Illegal Bike Ban">{{cite web |url=http://bicycling.com/blogs/roadrights/2010/06/24/an-illegal-bike-ban-%E2%80%94-and-the-fight-against-it/ |title=An Illegal Bike Ban — Road Rights - Bicycling.com |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> Area bicyclists use the main road in Black Hawk to connect to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway route. Opponents of the law have suggested a boycott of the town and its businesses.<ref>Dismount Black Hawk campaign http://dismountblackhawk.com/ accessed 18th June 2010</ref><ref name="urlBicyclistsPost">{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15298056 |title=Bicyclists want to derail Black Hawk's ban - The Denver Post |format= |work= |accessdate=2010-06-18 |first=Jason |last=Blevins |date=2010-06-15}}</ref> The ban was prompted by a surge in traffic following the change in maximum casino betting limits from $5 to $100. Black Hawk City Manager Michael Copp said that the city council, which passed the new law, believes it is best for the casinos and their patrons. The penalty for riding a bicycle through Black Hawk is a $68 fine.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/18/black-hawk-colorado-bans-cyclists|title=That's all, spokes: Colorado town of Black Hawk bans cyclists|last=Pidd|first=Helen|date=2010-06-18|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=20 June 2010|location=London}}</ref> ==Geography== Black Hawk is located at {{Coord|39|48|11|N|105|29|32|W|type:city}} (39.803149, -105.492265){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.5|sqmi|km2}}. ==Demographics== [[Image:DSCN2880 blackhawkhouses e 600.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Historic homes in the gulch above downtown Black Hawk]] {{USCensusPop | 1870=1068 | 1880=1540 | 1890=1067 | 1900=1200 | 1910=668 | 1920=253 | 1930=253 | 1940=289 | 1950=166 | 1960=171 | 1970=217 | 1980=232 }} As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 118 people, 54 households, and 28 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 80.9 people per square mile (31.2/km²). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 54.2 per square mile (20.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.75% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.85% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.93% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.08% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 10.17% of the population. There were 54 households out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.69. In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 34.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 131.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $44,583, and the median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $20,833 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $25,985. None of the population and none of the families were below the [[poverty line]]. {{clear}} ==Attractions== [[Image:Lace House.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'''Lace House''', built 1860's, now a museum]] *Casinos - While smaller, Black Hawk has more casinos than [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. **[[Ameristar Casino]] **[[Black Hawk Station]] **[[Bull Durham Saloon & Casino]] **[[Bullwhackers Casino]] **[[Canyon Casino]] **[[Lady Luck Casino]], owned by [[Isle of Capri Casino]]s **[[Fitzgeralds Black Hawk]] **[[Gilpin Hotel Casino]] **[[Golden Gates Casino]] **[[Golden Gulch Casino]] **[[Golden Mardi Gras Casino]] **[[Isle of Capri Black Hawk]] **[[Red Dolly Casino]] **[[Riviera Black Hawk]] **[[Sasquatch Casino]] **[[The Lodge Casino]] **[[Wild Card Casino]] ==Personalities== Notable people born or residing in Black Hawk include: *[[Nathaniel P. Hill]] - Brown University chemistry professor, Black Hawk smelter magnate, U.S. Senator. *[[William Frederick Cody]] "Buffalo Bill" - briefly a resident of Black Hawk while searching for gold near the town for two months. *[[John H. Gregory]] - made famous first gold strike in north Clear Creek on May 6, 1859, later setting camps in Black Hawk. {{clear}} ==See also== {{ports|Geography|North America|Northern America|United States|Colorado|Mountains|Mining}} *[[Outline of Colorado]] **[[Index of Colorado-related articles]] *[[State of Colorado]] **[[Colorado cities and towns]] ***[[Colorado municipalities]] **[[Colorado counties]] ***[[Gilpin County, Colorado]] **[[Colorado metropolitan areas]] ***[[Front Range Urban Corridor]] ***[[North Central Colorado Urban Area]] ***[[Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area]] ***[[Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]] *[[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]] {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commons}} *[http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/black_hawk_colorado.htm Photos of Black Hawk Colorado Ghost Town site provided by Rocky Mountain Profiles] *[http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/ City of Black Hawk website] **[http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Downloads/CityMaps/Black%20Hawk.pdf CDOT map of the City of Black Hawk] *[http://gilpintram.com/ Railroads, mines and mills of Gilpin County] {{Gilpin County, Colorado}} {{Colorado|show}} {{Protected Areas of Colorado|show}} [[Category:Black Hawk, Colorado| ]] [[Category:Populated places in Gilpin County, Colorado]] [[Category:Cities in Colorado]] [[Category:Colorado Mining Boom]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1859]] [[Category:Gambling localities in Colorado]] [[Category:Denver metropolitan area]] [[de:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[es:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[fr:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[it:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[ht:Black Hawk, Kolorado]] [[nl:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[pt:Black Hawk (Colorado)]] [[vo:Black Hawk]]'