The Largest African American Resort West of the Mississippi
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver, Lincoln Hills Country Club was a groundbreaking resort community—created in 1925 to provide African Americans with a place of joy, ownership, and retreat during an era of entrenched racial segregation. As the largest African American resort west of the Mississippi, Lincoln Hills offered what was virtually unheard of at the time: access to pristine mountain air, fishing, hiking, and summer leisure—all in a safe, welcoming environment where Black families could own land for as little as $5 down.
Developed by African American entrepreneurs, Lincoln Hills attracted middle-class Black families from Denver, Kansas City, and beyond. At its peak, it featured more than 100 cabins, a lodge, dance pavilion, and the renowned Winks Lodge, which hosted luminaries such as Langston Hughes, Count Basie, and Zora Neale Hurston. Despite economic hardships and changing travel patterns, the legacy of Lincoln Hills remains vibrant—thanks to ongoing preservation efforts and the site’s evolution into a cultural and educational retreat.
Highlights & Offerings
- Founded in 1925 as a Black-owned mountain resort community
- Located near Denver, Colorado, in Gilpin County
- First and only African American resort of its kind west of the Mississippi
- Sold land plots for as little as $5 down, empowering Black land ownership
- Home to Winks Lodge, a cultural hub for artists, writers, and jazz legends
- Offered fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and social events during segregation
- Today serves as a site of cultural education and outdoor programming
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Lincoln Hills is a rare and inspiring story of Black independence, vision, and community-building in the American West. In the past this was a great, much needed retreat for African American travelers seeking to connect with African American heritage and feel a sense of pride and belonging. A visit here honors the pioneers who made leisure and land ownership a form of pride.
–Learn more about Lincoln Hills.
✓ Visit our: The History of African-American Hotel Ownership