The spirits of Gilpin County came alive once again in Central City on Saturday, August 24, 2024, as the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl took center stage. Hosted by the Gilpin County Historical Society, this event transported attendees into the past, where tales of miners, brewmasters, and other colorful characters echoed through the mountain air.
Every year, one of Gilpin County’s 11 historic cemeteries plays host to this eerie and enlightening event, and this time, it was the Rocky Mountain Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery #2 that opened its gates.
Central City may be small, but its collection of cemeteries is anything but ordinary. Located at the north end of Eureka Street, the Odd Fellows Cemetery is the smallest of four burial grounds clustered near Bald Mountain Road. The remains of a quaint stone chapel greet visitors at the entrance, setting the tone for the historical journey ahead.
With shuttle transportation from the Teller Lot to the cemetery, the adventure began around 11 a.m. as 200 eager participants arrived, ready to hear the spooky stories that awaited them. The Odd Fellows, true to their mission of caring for the sick, distressed, and departed, have left behind a legacy that continues to captivate the living.
Situated at a breathtaking 9,324 feet above sea level, the cemetery offers a portal to another time, with over 250 gravesites, at least half of which are still intact. And on this day, the spirits of Gilpin County had plenty to say.
Dressed in period attire, complete with parasols and bonnets, guides led small groups of 20 up a winding path through the cemetery. Along the way, they paused at ten different graves, where volunteers, fully in character, recounted the life stories of the individuals buried there.
The weather played its part beautifully, offering a mix of sun and clouds with a gentle breeze.
At one stop, the group gathered around the grave of William Lehmkuhl, a brewer who was known for offering free beer with meals at his bed and breakfast.
[caption id="attachment_114236" align="alignleft" width="151"]
Echoes from the grave: William Lehmkuhl is depicted as a brewer who offered free beer with meals at his bed and breakfast during the Gilpin Historical Society’s 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl. [/caption]
With 350 tons of ice on hand to keep his beer cold, Lehmkuhl’s most popular brew featured wild-grown hops from Gilpin County and crisp “mountain water.”
He was said to have passed away in 1893, sitting up in bed after enjoying a hearty breakfast – a fitting end for a man who lived life to the fullest.
Central City’s cemetery holds many stories, but few are as intriguing as those connected to the unique gravesites and the historical figures they commemorate. Among these is the Walter family plot, marked by a small limestone cabin known as the Walter Cabin. This distinctive marker was crafted by Mary Rauh, a notable character in Colorado’s history.
At the Walter gravesite, a woman dressed in an elegant Victorian gown portrayed Mary Rauh, bringing her story to life.
Rauh was the second wife of Adolf Rauh, and though history often credits him with the success of their Denver marbleworks business, it was Mary who was the true mastermind behind it.
After Adolf faced bankruptcy, Mary founded the marbleworks and ran it successfully, despite the gender biases of the time that kept her from receiving the recognition she deserved.
In a twist of fate, she eventually sold everything back to Adolf for just $1. Before his death in 1914, Adolf ensured that all his assets were in Mary’s name. Mary Rauh passed away from pneumonia in 1922, but her legacy, symbolized by the Walter Cabin, endures.
Nearby, the spirit of Robert C. Aduddell sat nonchalantly on his grave, legs crossed, sipping from a large brown bottle.
Aduddell, whose birth year is uncertain (estimated between 1815 and 1820), was a physician with a storied past. He served in the military, providing surgical services, but his most infamous involvement came in the 1860s when he was implicated in the death of Mariah Casey following a botched abortion.
At the time, abortion was a crime punishable by three years in prison, and certain doctors, including Aduddell, were rumored to perform these procedures in secret, using herbal abortifacients like pennyroyal and tansy.
Despite the scandal, Aduddell was acquitted by the jury and continued his practice until his death on February 12, 1886.
Another captivating figure was Thorvald Crook, born in Denmark in 1861. Crook was the proprietor of Crooks’ Saloon in Black Hawk, later renamed Crooks’ Palace during Prohibition.
The character portraying Crook shared with the group some wild-grown Gilpin hops, a key ingredient in many local brews, present and past.
Crook’s tombstone is engraved with three interlocking rings, a symbol used by the Odd Fellows to represent friendship, love, and truth. He passed away on November 25, 1902, leaving behind a legacy infused with the rich brewing history of the region.
Charles Zueger, born in 1849, was a hard-rock miner known for helping build the iconic Cornish walls in Central City. The area once boasted 38 bars, providing much-needed respite for miners after grueling workdays.
A unique tradition saw silver dollars placed on the ceiling planks of these bars, reserved for the funeral expenses of miners who passed away. Zueger himself met a tragic end in 1882 when he was caught in a cave-in, succumbing to his injuries five days later.
The tour emphasized the dangers faced by miners, including black lung disease, which claimed many lives. One such miner was William Martin, portrayed by a member of the Wild Bunch.
Martin’s wife, Sarah, bore nine children, though three tragically died before him. The harsh realities of mining life were starkly evident throughout the cemetery.
Lastly, the story of Louisa Eva, wife of Thomas Eva, was recounted. Born into what was said to be “good stock,” Louisa was reputed to have healing powers, able to stop bleeding and cure burns with the help of two charms and some Bible pages.
Her life, like many others in the cemetery, was marked by both hardship and resilience. Louisa’s two grandchildren, who preceded her in death, are buried beside her on a slight hill, a quiet testament to the family’s enduring presence.
As the tour concluded, the rich tapestry of Central City’s mining and brewing history came into full view, woven through the lives – and deaths – of those who once called this rugged land home.
Special thanks were given by Gilpin County Historical Society Board Member Deb Wray to the “spirits,” the dedicated volunteers from the community, and members of the Wild Bunch, a local performance group known for reenacting Old West shows and shootouts.
If the idea of bringing history to life intrigues you, the Gilpin County Historical Society (GHS) is always looking for new volunteers. Whether you’d like to be a docent, help in the archives, or even play a spirit or guide at one of their events, there’s a place for you. Contact the museum at gilpinhistory@live.com to get involved.
Mark your calendars for the GHS’s next spine-tingling event, the 15th Annual Creepy Crawl, happening on October 11, 12, 18, and 19.
During this event, you’ll explore historic buildings in Central City and hear chilling tales of murders, ghostly encounters, and other gruesome events from Gilpin County’s past.
Tickets will be available online in September, and they tend to sell out quickly – don’t miss your chance to be part of the eerie fun!
