James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club
| Trailblazing Through History |
Winks Lodge...
The Lincoln Hills Development Company, planned and organized in 1922 by prominent Denver African-Americans, offered mountain resort lots at a time when people-of-color were not allowed to obtain lodging or enjoy the amenities of public parks in Colorado. Located in Gilpin County, the Lincoln Hills community was one of only four such resorts in the entire United States.
Constructed in 1928 by Wendall (“Winks”) Hamlet, Winks Lodge serviced thousands of vacationers and was a destination for many famous African-American literary artists and musical entertainers. Recognized for its significance as a private commercial and entrepreneurial endeavor, as well as its significance in the larger social arena of discrimination and segregation, Winks Lodge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Through an acquisition grant by the State Historical Fund, the JPBMC was able to purchase the Lodge in April, 2006. Once the interior is fully restored, the JPBMC will make the Lodge available to the public for a variety of programs, such as:
• Conferences & Workshops
• Local History Learning Center
• Nature Preservation & Outdoor Activities
• Leadership Retreats
• Special Events
• Reunions
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Winks Lodge - 1930s |
Winks Lodge - Present |
