GILPIN COUNTY — Lena Horne did not come to Colorado just to perform. She came to step out of the spotlight. And she did that at Lincoln Hills, a sanctuary for Black Americans during segregation—right here, in Gilpin County. 

While working in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, Horne would travel an hour west to stay at Lincoln Hills resort.

During a walking tour in 2025, Lincoln Hills guides pointed out that Horne liked coming to the area so much that she reportedly asked Winks Hamlet to build her a private cabin. 

Obrey Wendell “Winks” Hamlet was the builder and host of Winks Lodge. He helped establish Lincoln Hills as a mountain refuge for Black families, artists, and travelers.

The small structure he allegedly built for Horne became known as “the honeymoon cabin,” a modest retreat designed for privacy.

Lincoln Hills and Winks Lodge were active from the 1920s through the 1950s, hosting traveling performers throughout that period.

The life of Lena Horne

One of the most recognizable entertainers of the 20th century, Horne built a career that crossed music, film, and live performance at a time when Black women were tightly controlled by studios and limited by segregation. 

Born in Brooklyn in 1917, she began performing at the age of 16 at Harlem’s Cotton Club, where she was recognized by jazz legends for her innate talent.

She became known for her polished delivery, controlled power, and ability to command a room with her voice and presence.

In 1942, Horne signed a long-term contract with MGM, making her one of the first Black women to do so with a major Hollywood studio. 

The agreement was groundbreaking, though racial barriers continued to limit the roles she was offered and the distribution of her work.

In her autobiography, Lena, Horne acknowledged that her lighter complexion affected how Hollywood cast and promoted her, exposing the industry’s colorism and limited expectations for Black actresses at the time.

She rose to national prominence through Hollywood films such as “Stormy Weather” and “Cabin in the Sky,” which were two of the few productions at the time to feature predominantly Black casts. 

Written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, the song “Stormy Weather” was first introduced by Black singer Ethel Waters. 

A decade later, Lena Horne made it widely known through her performance in the 1943 film, bringing the song from jazz stages into Hollywood pop culture. 

She also appeared in MGM musicals and Broadway shows, though her scenes were often cut when the films were shown in the South because of prejudice against Blacks.

The actress appeared in the 1943 MGM musical “Cabin in the Sky,” adapted from the Broadway show of the same name. 

The musical follows a gambling man who is given a second chance at redemption after good and evil forces battle over his soul. The “cabin” symbolizes heaven. 

Beyond her work as an entertainer, she became known for speaking out against racism and segregation. 

She refused to perform for segregated audiences and challenged the roles Hollywood offered her when they reinforced stereotypes. 

During the Civil Rights Movement, she supported marches, raised funds, and used her public platform to advocate for change. Her political views also led to periods where she was blacklisted, limiting her opportunities. But she continued to push for equality, both on and off the stage.

She pursued a successful career for more than 60 years, from the 1930s to the 1990s. She died in 2010.

And in reality, she had her own special place, a "cabin in the sky," at Lincoln Hills. 

The Honeymoon Cabin

While performing in Denver’s Five Points jazz scene, Horne stayed at Winks Lodge and in a small nearby cabin known as “the honeymoon cabin”—a one-bedroom structure built as part of the Lincoln Hills resort. 

Tour interpreters described the interior as simple, with a bed, a wood stove, and a small desk with books, perfect for some private time. 

For a public figure whose image and personal life were closely watched, the secluded setting was much desired. Lincoln Hills offered distance from Hollywood expectations, press attention, and the racial barriers she faced on the road. 

In the mountains, she could rest, socialize with other artists, and spend time away from the roles assigned to her onstage and onscreen.

Horne was among a circle of musicians and writers who used Lincoln Hills as a retreat. The group included Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Count Basie, Billy Eckstine, and others who shaped American music and culture. 

South Boulder Creek runs through the resort, and today, parts of it are a private fishing club. During Lincoln Hills’ peak years, the creek and surrounding woods were part of daily life for visitors.

Horne’s time at Lincoln Hills adds depth to the site’s history. It shows that the community was not only connected to performance, but also to personal retreat. 

For a woman whose career required constant visibility, Lincoln Hills offered something closer to control over her own time and space.

Reflection

This article concludes a Black History Month series exploring notable figures connected to Lincoln Hills, including Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, and Lena Horne.

So when people ask, “What is Lincoln Hills?” I think the simplest answer is that it was a mountain resort community created for African Americans during segregation. But that doesn’t fully capture it. 

It was a refuge, a gathering place, and a cultural crossroads. Families built cabins there. Artists and writers found community there. It became part of a larger network of places where Black Americans created their own spaces when they weren’t welcome elsewhere.

For me, this project wasn’t just about famous names; it was about uncovering the hidden layers of Black history right here in Gilpin County and helping people see them.   

Lincoln Hills reminds us that local history is connected to a larger cultural framework, and sometimes taking a closer look helps us understand both a little better. Black History Month offers everyone a meaningful opportunity to explore these stories and remember those who endured the abomination of segregation.