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Fantastic, 1870’s Albumen, Stereoview Photograph being a Bird\'s-Eye-View of the Gold Mining Boomtown of Central City, Colorado by Charles Weitfle. This wonderful, Western Americana Stereoview measures approx. 7\" by 4\" and is mounted on its original, flat, gray colored card mount. The Image is titled in manuscript on the recto \"Central City, Looking North, Colorado” on the recto and “6. Spring Street, Central” in the negative. Printed text on the reverse identifies the Stereoview as being part of a Series titled “Views on Central R. R. from Black Hawk to Central City”. The Stereoview also carries the mark of the photographer - Charles Weitfle of Central City.
The Photo is a wonderful, bird\'s-eye-view of this historic, Colorado Mining Boomtown taken in the early 1870\'s. It is a View overlooking the Town from an elevated location. Numerous Trade Signs can be seen including a huge sign at the right center that reads \"Temple of Fashion / Dry Dry Goods, Carpets, etc\". The streets are alive with activity and the buildings of this compact but thriving Boomtown extend into the distance.
On May 6, 1859, during the Pike\'s Peak Gold Rush, John H. Gregory found a gold-bearing vein (the Gregory Lode) in Gregory Gulch between Black Hawk and Central City. Within two months many other veins were discovered, including the Bates, Gunnell, Kansas, and Burroughs. By 1860, as many as 10,000 prospectors had flocked to the town, then known as Mountain City, and surrounding prospects, but most soon left, many returning back east. As placer mining was gradually replaced by underground lode mining, the year 1863 brought the first attempt by hard rock miners to form a hard rock miners\' union. Of 125 miners signing a union resolution in Central City, about fifty broke windows and doors at the Bob Tail mine, forcing other workers out. After a night of shooting and fighting, the union effort among Central City miners failed. A month later more than 300 miners successfully organized at the Comstock Lode, although this effort also faded. Many Chinese lived in Central City during the early days working the placer deposits of Gregory Gulch. They were forofferden work in the underground mines. Most of them are believed to have returned to China after making their stake. The frontier gambler, Poker Alice, lived for a time in Central City.
This outstanding, Western Americana / Colorado Gold and Silver Mining Boomtown Stereoview Photo is in very good condition. The Photos exhibit sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality but do have some light soiling along the top edges of the Images. The Card Mount has some light edge wear and light soiling.
A very rare and fascinating, 1870’s Bird\'s-Eye-View, Stereoview Photograph of the Gold Mining Boomtown of Central City, Colorado by Charles Weitfle and a fantastic addition to any collection!
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