A boy stands in the snowy landscape outside the schoolhouse on Harris Street in Breckenridge, Colorado, circa 1898. Built in 1882, the two-story wood frame schoolhouse featured a bell and bell tower centered on the simple gable roof, and a shed addition on the south side. Brick chimneys rise from both gable ends and sash windows are pedimented throughout. Next door is a side gable frame house. In the foreground is a wooden sidewalk running along the east side of Harris Street. The schoolhouse was torn down and replaced with a brick structure in 1909.
UnidentifiedA cableway transports excavated boulders from the Gold Pan Pit at the Gold Pan Mining Company operations just south of Breckenridge, Colorado. Boulders larger than 8 inches were lifted from the pit by rectangular metal platforms edged on three sides called "stone boats". The cableway transported and disposed the rocks away from the pit. Barney Ford Hill in the background. Early 1900s.
UnidentifiedA dog is asleep on the carpeted floor of the parlor in Charles A. and Martha (Silverthorn) Finding's house on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. Circa 1893. The room is furnished with area rugs, a secretary desk, a bookcase and a wicker rocking chair in the bay window. Anchoring the room is an ornate cast iron parlor stove. Decorative items throughout include framed pictures and photographs, porcelain plates supported on easels, seashells and vases. Doilies, antimacassars and tasseled cloth runners cover chair backs and tables and heavy tasseled curtains drape the opening to the adjacent music room. A large book is displayed on a metal book stand, probably the Family Bible.
UnidentifiedA dog walks across Main Street in Breckenridge. Businesses line both sides of the paved street, including (from left) Breckenridge Pharmacy, Drugs, and Liquor; a ski rental shop; a Cafe serving Coors beer and 7-Up and Coca Cola soft drinks. On the east side is the stone front building that housed Finding's Hardware Store, and a Mountain Bell telephone booth.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A girl and boy playfully pull at opposite ends of the boy's suit coat outside Breckenridge High School on Harris Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. This game is often called "Tug of War". Quoted from text handwritten below the photograph: "Little Angels".
UnidentifiedA young boy sits on the snow above a man leaning against a snowbank along the railroad tracks that serviced the Kilton Gold Reduction Company ore sampler, west of Breckenridge, Colorado, during the "Big Snow" of 1898-1899.
UnidentifiedA man sits in a chair facing away from his desk inside the Colorado Telephone Company in Breckenridge, Colorado. Circa 1899-1920s. On the desk are books, stacks of papers, inkwells and a candlestick telephone (also known as upright desk stands). The carpeted office is also furnished with typewriter desk with a typewriter on top, a wood secretary filled with books, and a bookstand. Taxidermy, two framed "State of Colorado Certificate of Authority" documents, and a hand crank telephone (or telegraph) hang on the wallpapered wall. The company began providing service to Breckenridge in 1899.
UnidentifiedTwo men outside a rustic log cabin in Illinois Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. One man fishes from a log bridge while the other man pans for gold near the cabin entrance. Smoke from the Colorado and Southern (C&S) railroad locomotive is visible on Rocky Point above. Circa early 1900s.
Westerman, OttoA couple sitting at a table covered with a jacquard tablecloth listen to a man playing guitar in front of a large diamond lattice window, probably in the Gasthaus bar and restaurant on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. The Gasthaus served Hungarian food and was owned by Attila Gyrmathy.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A man plays piano on stage in the dimly lit lounge of a restaurant or bar in Breckenridge, Colorado. The rustic interior has hardwood floor and is clad in wood paneling. Beams run across the pitched or vaulted ceiling. A woman sits on the rustic log railing that borders the stage. In the foreground a large wooden wagon wheel leans against the wall.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A man plays an electronic (electric) organ at a restaurant, probably The Mine Supper Club in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A man sits at a desk in the offices of the Gold Pan Mining Company on South Ridge Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. A half wall lined with drawers, shelving and teller windows separates the office from the public space. Hanging on the wall behind him is a row of clipboards and more file drawers, and a clock. Circa early 1900s.
UnidentifiedA hippie holding a rock sits on a hillside overlooking the dredge piles and the town of Breckenridge, Colorado. Looking east from Shock Hill with Bald Mountain in the background. The man has shoulder length dark hair, a full beard and mustache, and is dressed in jeans, boots and a leather sleeveless vest or tunic over a striped collared shirt.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A hippie holding a rock sits on a hillside overlooking the dredge piles and the town of Breckenridge, Colorado. Looking east from Shock Hill with Bald Mountain in the background. The man has shoulder length dark hair, a full beard and mustache, and is dressed in jeans, boots and a leather sleeveless vest or tunic over a striped collared shirt.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A hippie holding a rock sits on a hillside overlooking the dredge piles and the town of Breckenridge, Colorado. Looking east from Shock Hill with Bald Mountain in the background. The man has shoulder length dark hair, a full beard and mustache, and is dressed in jeans, boots and a leather sleeveless vest or tunic over a striped collared shirt.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A hippie holding a rock sits on a hillside overlooking the dredge piles and the town of Breckenridge, Colorado. At sunset, looking east from Shock Hill with Bald Mountain in the background. The man has shoulder length dark hair, a full beard and mustache, and is dressed in jeans, boots and a leather sleeveless vest or tunic over a striped collared shirt.
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A person navigates a path in the deep snowdrifts in front of the Gaymon's and Tressler's houses on the west side of Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado, during the "Big Snow" of 1898-1899.
UnidentifiedA snow sculpture representing Ull, the Norse god of winter and skiing, in front of The Ski Photography Shoppe, Topolnicki's business on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. Most likely sculpted for the winter celebration of Ullr Dag (Ullr Fest).
Topolnicki Sr., John A.A woman and young girl are standing in the snowy landscape to the east of Edwin Carter's log cabin and museum on Ridge Street, Breckenridge. Looking west with a view of Peak 8 of the Tenmile Range in the background. Circa 1898-1899.
UnidentifiedA woman stands with a girl and boy outside a snow tunnel crossing Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado, in the winter of the "Big Snow" of 1898-1899. The stone front of Charles A. Finding's hardware store is in view behind them.
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