Lincoln Hills: The Mountain Escape We Built for Ourselves

Lincoln Hills, Colorado, founded in 1922 near Pinecliffe, was a historic, premier mountain resort for African Americans, serving as the only Black-owned vacation destination of its kind west of the Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. It was a vibrant hub for leisure and culture featuring fishing, hiking, and the notable Winks Lodge. 

Key Aspects of Lincoln Hills Resort:

• Location & Purpose: Located near Rollinsville and South Boulder Creek, it offered a safe, welcoming retreat from segregation for Black families.
• 
• Winks Lodge: Built by Obrey Wendell "Winks" Hamlet in the 1920s, it served as the center of the community and a hub for prominent Black artists, musicians, and intellectuals, including Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
• Activities: The resort provided opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, and social gatherings.
• Camp Nizhoni: An all-girls summer camp existed at the resort from the 1920s to 1945. 
• 
• Significance: It was a symbol of Black pride, independence, and joy, later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
• Modern Legacy: While the original resort era concluded in the mid-1960s, the area's history is preserved, with Winks Lodge designated a National Historic Landmark in 2023. The Lincoln Hills Cares foundation now focuses on outdoor education and equitable access to nature, continuing to highlight this historic site.    

  Click here to learn more about Lincoln Hills and what's happening now.