Paravicini’s Italian Bistro – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Para vicini translates roughly from Italian to “for the neighborhood.”  Paravicini’s Italian Bistro isn’t located in just any Colorado Springs neighborhood.  It’s located in the heart of Old Colorado City, the historic west side of Colorado Springs. Founded in 1859 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, Old Colorado City was the first permanent settlement in the region and briefly served as the first capital of the Colorado Territory. In 1917, it was annexed and incorporated into Colorado Springs. Today, the former wild-west town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and functions as a pedestrian-friendly arts and dining…

The Mine Shaft Tavern – Madrid, New Mexico

“You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St. Peter, don’t you call me cause I can’t go. I owe my soul to the company store.” Those immortal lyrics, hauntingly performed by crooner Tennessee Ernie Ford describe with a poignant reality, the plight of the American miner even onto the 20th century. By payday, which came at month’s end, miners did indeed owe their souls to the company–for the company house in which they were living, for groceries to feed their families, for doctor bills and even for the tools they used…