Frenchy was a Frenchman who ran "the most notorious saloon" in the mining town of Tin Cup, Colorado, at 10,157 feet (3,096 m) above sea level. He died in the 1920s. Nowadays Tin Cup is a hunting/fishing town of maybe 150 people in the summer, no one in the winter. But it was once a "wicked place" and the local gamblers made large profits off newcomers hoping to get rich from the gold mine. They hired marshals so that people would think the town was safe. The marshals were then told to see and hear nothing. According to the Colorado Historical Society, "the first marshal quit, the second was fired, the third was gunned down, the fourth was shot by a gambler, the fifth quit and became a preacher, the sixth went insane, the seventh was shot, and the eighth managed to finish out his term," probably because the gold was gone by then. The town cemetery has a Protestant, Catholic and Jewish section and a fourth section called Boot Hill where men died with their boots on from gunshot wounds. One grave in this section has the marker, "He drew five aces."
At Frenchy's, there's still good pie and potato salad. Only children are allowed to fish in the pond.
My husband went to Frenchs café in Tincup Colorado and had the best time every.Dianne and Karen and the rest of crew were so much fun to visit with.Had the best apple pie and ice cream.Hope we can visit again.Love you guys.
Posted by: [email protected] | 07 August 2016 at 18:30
Correction-there are 3 0f us who live here in Tin Cup year round.
I am looking for proof (ex. newspaper article) saying Doc Holliday was ever here. Makes sense he would have come to fleece the miners, its a short ride from Leadville. Can anyone help?
Posted by: Ted Walker | 01 October 2018 at 03:51
I am trying to find someone that lived in Tin Cup, Co. in the summer of 1962..my father Worth Shaw work for Parks West that a logging crew that worked there that summer..trying to find someone that might have some information
Posted by: Cathy Shaw Frerichs | 26 June 2023 at 00:13
Daughter would like to have small wedding there- maybe in a year. Is the church useable and rentable? Probably 20 - 30 folks- room at Frenchy’s for that number for meal after vows? Any of the 3 full time residents let me know?
Posted by: Mary Fante | 08 October 2023 at 23:51