What is the story of ghost town capital city in Colorado?

Central City is a former mining town and the eponymous county seat of Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. Sitting at an elevation of 8,520 feet (2,597 m), Central City is one of several former mining districts in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The placer mining of Gregory Gulch (today Gregory Canyon), which began in 1859, resulted in the establishment of the town, also named Gregory. The discovery of gold in 1859 gave rise to its incorporation as Central City in 1860.

The city boomed in the 1860s and 1870s as one of the most productive mining districts in the nation, boasting a population of over 10,000 people with numerous establishments including saloons, gambling houses, hotels, theaters and brothels. By 1867, Central City had established a reputation as one of the most prosperous and lawless towns in the Wild West, featuring dozens of saloons, gaming halls, and dance halls.

Central City's economy, and therefore its population, steadily declined after 1875 with the silver panic and the decline in mining. By the early 1890s, Central City's population was below 1,000. Central City's decline led to a significant loss in population by the early 20th century. Central City became a designated national historic district in 1961 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its Victorian-era architecture.