It wasn’t until the 1990’s that both Central City and Black Hawk revamped their economy by introducing casinos as their primary source of tourism. When the gold rush came to an end in the early 20th century, Central City found itself with a dwindling population and economic hardship. In the 1860s Central City was smack dab in the heart of the Colorado gold rush and supported one of Colorado’s biggest and most historically prominent gold mining communities.
Central City moves at a slower pace than neighbor Black Hawk, making it more relaxed for a stroll around town. Black Hawk is situated just one mile from town and has the biggest of the casinos. The best route into town is the Central City Parkway, a scenic drive high atop a mountain pass.Ĭentral City resides at 8,510 of elevation in Gilpin County and holds the nickname: “The Richest Square Mile on Earth”. It’s a former gold mining camp where visitors still come to cash in. Central City is a casino town with loads of Old West history.
