Lincoln Hills, Colorado facts for kids
Lincoln Hills was a special vacation resort located in Gilpin County, Colorado. It was created in 1922 as a place where African-American families could relax and have fun. At that time, it was the only resort of its kind for Black people west of the Mississippi River. Lincoln Hills offered a safe and welcoming escape from segregation, which was a system that unfairly separated people based on their race.
How Lincoln Hills Began
In the 1920s, many African Americans lived in Denver, Colorado, especially in the Five Points neighborhood. However, because of unfair racial tensions and groups like the Ku Klux Klan in Denver, many Black people faced challenges.
Two African-American businessmen from Denver, E.C. Regnier and Roger Ewalt, decided to create a solution. In 1922, they started the Lincoln Hills Development Company. They bought over 100 acres of land about 38 miles west of Denver. Regnier and Ewalt believed that African Americans should also be able to enjoy the beautiful mountains and have a safe place to get away from racial problems in the city.
They sold small pieces of land, usually 25 feet by 100 feet, for prices from $5 to $100. Many families used their plots for camping. Some families even built simple cabins. Regnier and Ewalt sold more than 600 plots to middle-class African-American families from all over Colorado.
Lincoln Hills' Special History
Lincoln Hills grew in popularity throughout the early 20th century. It became a well-known mountain resort for African-American families. It was also home to Camp Nizhoni, a YMCA girls' camp. This camp was very important because it served African-American women and girls who were not allowed to attend other YMCA camps due to segregation.
People who visited Lincoln Hills often wrote about the beautiful mountain views and the strong friendships that formed among families who returned every year.
However, during the Great Depression, a time when many people lost their jobs and money, some families could no longer afford their annual vacations. Later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. This new law made it illegal to separate people based on their race. Because of this, African Americans could now visit resorts and clubs that were once only for White people. This meant Lincoln Hills was no longer the only option, and its appeal slowly lessened. Lincoln Hills officially closed in 1966.
In 1980, Lincoln Hills was recognized for its unique history and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2007, Matthew Burkett bought the resort to help protect its legacy. Today, a non-profit group called Lincoln Hills Cares runs programs there for young people and families. They help African-American and Latino families in the Denver area get outside and enjoy nature.
