Seventy years before the concept of a ski resort even grazed Breckenridge, Harry and Jennie Whitehead were looking for a way to meet the lodging needs of the area’s prospectors and miners. 

By the late 1800s mining was decades into its rule over Breckenridge. It was the town’s lifeline. The community had few other options to sustain itself. As mining continued to grow, so did the workforce. The Whiteheads knew this and decided to fill the need for lodging by opening the Arcade Hotel in 1892. The Arcade Hotel lasted less than a decade, but its building, now known as the Whitehead Building, has been standing ever since and has been home to a few different establishments.

This February, it became home to Prospector restaurant, a name that gives a nod to the town and building’s ties to mining. 

Walking into the Prospector is like walking through a time capsule. Owner Chad Washenfelder decorated its walls with photographs of Breckenridge from nearly a century ago, several of which feature the longstanding Whitehead building.

Little pieces of history are scattered throughout the Prospector, where visitors can get a glimpse into life a century ago in Breckenridge while enjoying one of the spot’s signature cocktails or mocktails. 

There’s long been speculation that one part of history, a part that lived there in the early 1900s, might still live there. When Washenfelder bought the building, he was informed about the possibility of a ghost name Sylvia, someone who once lived in the building, haunting its second floor. 

Washenfelder said he hasn’t had the pleasure of encountering Sylvia, but his staff have had a few instances after hours where suspicious, unexplainable activity occurred. The good news is, the staff has reported that Sylvia seems to be pretty helpful and willing to tidy the place up.

Unlike Sylvia the potential ghost, Washenfelder likes to keep his menu new and fresh. He brought in head chef Olivia Hicks to do so. Hicks curates the Prospector’s menu based on what is in season. People can expect the menu to change a few times throughout the year. 

“As far as seasonality goes, with being up in the mountains, we are so restricted … but when we do have things come into season, it’s always very good and I like to play into that,” Hicks said.

Right now Prospector’s menu houses hearty, wintertime foods such as the noodle bowl and steak with roasted garlic aioli. Hicks said the spring menu is going to have lighter options that incorporate what’s in season. 

Staff were raving on Saturday about an item that is coming to Prospector’s menu this summer — Hicks’ take on a lobster roll. It isn’t a traditional New England style lobster roll. It’s served on a housemade sesame roll with a panang curry aioli, black tobiko and clarified butter.

“I definitely try to put my own twist on everything. I don’t like to do anything classically, but I also like to keep things simple,” Hicks said. 

The bar takes a similar approach in its drinks. Bartenders created a menu that puts a twist on classics alongside some typical favorites such as Manhattans. The bar staff puts a lot of thought into their inventory and even their “well” liquors are far from bottom-shelf options. 

The spot also does liquor infusions in house and makes its own creations such as pomegranate tequila and pineapple vodka.  

Some bartender favorites on the house cocktail list include the Baja Bordello with reposado tequila, aperol, lime, fresno peppers and chamoy.

The food menu at the Prospector typically ranges from $11 to $29, with seasonal changes.

The Prospector is located at 130 South Main Street in Breckenridge.

For more information, visit BreckProspector.com.