SLEEPING WITH THE PAST - VICTORIAN ELEGANCE MARKS CENTRAL CITY'S NEW HOTEL by Pam North The building has been around for a long time. Standing at the corner of Main and Eureka streets, the structure, known as the First National Bank Block, first opened for business in August, 1874. Warren Hussey & Company, of Salt Lake City and Denver, had opened one of the earliest banks in Central City in 1863. Joseph A. Thatcher had managed the bank until 1870, when he formed Thatcher and Standley, which bought out Warren Hussey & Company. Thatcher, in a combined effort with others, organized the First National Bank in 1874, but promptly lost everything (except the safe) in the devastating Central City fire that same year. He and his associates promptly rebuilt, the result being the current structure which stands today, and Thatcher continued his career as one of Colorado's most prominent bankers. The building remained in the banking business until 1933, sharing quarters with a variety of other businesses. The main bank portion, with its diagonal entrance, faced Main Street at the corner; law and doctors' offices were on the second floor, the entrance to them accessible only by a stairway from Eureka Street. A small store fronted on Eureka Street in the middle portion of the building, and another store fronted on Eureka at the building's corner at Pine Street. Over the years, the telephone exchange, barber shop, tailor, saloon and post office occupied portions of the building. The second floor later was an annex to the Golden Rose, and in the 1980s the upstairs offices housed the judge, clerk of the court, two attorneys and two physicians. Eureka Creek ran under the building and then across the street by way of the flume. More lately, after gaming was brought to Central City in 1992, the building was converted to house casinos: Doc Holiday and H.A.W. Tabor. Taco Bell served up Mexican fast-food upstairs for a few months before Central City's gaming business began to slow down, as Black Hawk began to capture most of the gambling market. Mountain Mud and Mercantile recently moved to the Pine Street corner of the structure. Soon an exciting new hotel will be opening on the second floor of the National Bank Block building, breathing some much-needed commercial life into Central City's flagging economy, and presenting an intriguing choice for overnight stays. The renovation project for the Golden Rose Victorian Hotel is nearing completion, ready to offer accommodations reflecting an attractive Victorian ambience. Five rooms will be available, each with a theme featuring a local historical personage. The largest room, named for Madam Lou Bunch, occupies the front corner portion of the upper floor. Five tall windows wrap around the corner for views along Main, Lawrence and Eureka streets. A spacious elaborate rococo bed highlights the room, along with artwork colorfully depicting a "parlor house." The George Pullman room features an understated masculine feeling, and the highlight of the Aunt Clara Brown room is a carved, four-poster, canopy bed. The Baby Doe room, with dainty floral wallpaper and a separate dressing room, and the Kit Carson room (still being decorated at the present time) complete the selection. All of the rooms have private baths with large cast-iron bathtubs, perfect for long, leisurely hot soaks. The beautiful refurbished decor has rich Victorian-patterned carpets in deep colors, textured anaglypta wallpapers with elaborate borders, period chandeliers, high ceilings and lace curtains, all combining to bring an authentic historical feel to the hotel. A hospitality room completes the picture, offering an antique bar, well-stocked for honor-system usage, and a comfortable lounging area. The hotel promises to be the perfect place for those who appreciate staying in a place with an atmosphere that conjures up Central City's colorful past. Rooms will rent from $75 to $130 per night, the prices dictated by room size and season. The hotel opening is planned for the end of June or early July, and an open house is in the works, the date of which is shortly to be announced. Information may be obtained by calling (303) 582-3737. Resources: Guide to Historic Central City and Black Hawk, by Sarah J. Pearce and Christine Pfaff A Guide to Downtown Central City, Colorado, by Alan Granruth. Thanks to Bob Harvey for information and an interesting tour. Guerin and Laura.........Will fax over photo of building Tuesday morning.