Public Lands Weekly Blog Post
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer danielle meyer
Tucked inside the mountainous Gilpin County of Colorado between two small towns of Pinecliff and Nederland, Lincoln Hills opened in 1925. In a time when segregation was the norm of the nation, Lincoln Hills was a rare escape as the first -- and, for quite some time, only -- African American resort west of the Mississippi River, founded by Denverites E.C. Regnier and Roger Ewalt who formed the Lincoln Hills Development Company. Previously limited from the same access to the western wilderness as white Coloradans, Lincoln Hills gave African-Americans in the mountain states the opportunity to find peace and a sense of community away from the turmoil of a racist society. The resort included over 100 acres of land with more than 600 lots that were sold from the time of opening. The lots would sell for as little as $50 -- about $700 in today's world -- and consist of a campsite or small cabins built by the owners. In 1928, at the center of Lincoln Hills was Winks Lodge founded by Obrey "Winks" Wendell. Winks Lodge, a three-story six-bedroom resort, was a symbol of hope and determination in the African American community for decades and has hosted some of the most respected musicians and artists of our time. After their performances in Denver's Five Points neighborhood people like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, and Billy Eckstine would stop by the mountain resort for some relaxation before their next show. As Lincoln Hills resided deep within the Colorado mountainside, immersed within the outdoors and wildlife that surrounded it, it was only logical to create Camp Nizhoni. Established by the Phyllis Wheatley Branch of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Camp Nizhoni was created to give African American women and girls the opportunity to emerge themselves in resort activities such as swimming, hiking, camping, and learning about biology, astronomy, and outdoor skills, since they were unable to attend the white only YWCA girls camp at Lookout Mountain. Although Lincoln Hills closed after the death of Winks in 1965, it remains an important piece of our state's legacy and was finally listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. We've come a long way since the segregation of the 20s, but still face some of these problems today, especially around access to the outdoors and our public lands in Colorado. What used to be Lincoln Hills Resort is now Lincoln Hills Cares (LHC). LHC is committed to creating unforgettable Colorado experiences for youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity, due to economic, social, or family circumstances. One of their programs, The Outdoor Education Program, is meant to teach youth about outdoor recreation and preservation. Here at The Colorado Sierra Club, we strive to make public lands accessible to every community, to increase opportunities for families and individuals who do not have access to these experiences, and continue to engage everyone who loves nature, to keep it beautiful and alive. We hope to live in a Colorado where people of all colors and all ages can come together to enjoy Our Wild America.
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