Central City in Gilpin County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Rose Haydee Building
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009
1. The Rose Haydee Building Marker
Inscription.
The Rose Haydee Building. . The first lady of the early Colorado state was Rose (Brown) Wakely, better known by her stage name, Rose “Haydee”. The dark-eyed beauty came to Colorado in September, 1859 – and the miners fell in love with her at once. She became the most popular entertainer in Central City. Then, suddenly, she disappeared.
Now among her many admirers was Thomas Evans, a gambling man of rather “satanic good looks.” And it was suspicioned no coincidence that, on Tuesday, November 13, 1860 – just prior to a performance starring her, Rose and the gambling man were gone!
Following the town’s suspicions, Justice Downing issued a warrant “for the arrest of an individual who has abducted a young girl...for the basest of all imaginable purposes.”
The fugitive Evans was overtaken “on the road to the States” and, with his sweet young charge, hauled back to Central City. He was brought to trial for the abduction under a handy and sturdy tree to facilitate hanging. But Rose saved this gambling man by saying that they had been married!
The next day, November 24, 1860, Rose Haydee became, through marriage in earnest, Mrs. Thomas Evans ... they of Central City, Colorado
The first lady of the early Colorado state was Rose (Brown) Wakely, better known by her stage name, Rose “Haydee”. The dark-eyed beauty came to Colorado in September, 1859 – and the miners fell in love with her at once. She became the most popular entertainer in Central City. Then, suddenly, she disappeared.
Now among her many admirers was Thomas Evans, a gambling man of rather “satanic good looks.” And it was suspicioned no coincidence that, on Tuesday, November 13, 1860 – just prior to a performance starring her, Rose and the gambling man were gone!
Following the town’s suspicions, Justice Downing issued a warrant “for the arrest of an individual who has abducted a young girl...for the basest of all imaginable purposes.”
The fugitive Evans was overtaken “on the road to the States” and, with his sweet young charge, hauled back to Central City. He was brought to trial for the abduction under a handy and sturdy tree to facilitate hanging. But Rose saved this gambling man by saying that they had been married!
The next day, November 24, 1860, Rose Haydee became, through marriage in earnest, Mrs. Thomas Evans ... they of Central City, Colorado
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1859.
Location.
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39° 48.005′ N, 105° 30.766′ W. Marker is in Central City, Colorado, in Gilpin County. Marker is on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 Main Street, Central City CO 80427, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Rose Haydee Building. The AOUW Building (left), the Ignatz Meyer Building (center) and the Rose Haydee Building (right), a modern construction, have been ‘renovated’ and combined into the Doc Holliday Casino.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009
2. The Rose Haydee Building Marker
The marker is to the left of the entrance.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009
3. The Doc Holliday Casino
The Rose Haydee Building is on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 883 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
