Greetings From Colorado - LEADVILLE

Situated at 10,152 feet (3,094 m), in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the former silver mining town of Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States.

Placer gold (gold that has weathered from the host rock where it was formed and is found atop the ground, in streams, etc.) was discovered in California Gulch in 1860, during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. In 1874, gold miners discovered that the heavy black sand that impeded their gold recovery carried a high content of silver. Prospectors traced the source, and by 1876, had discovered several lode (a deposit in a rock formation, or vein) silver-lead deposits. The city of Leadville was founded near the new silver deposits in 1877, and by 1880, Leadville was one of the world's largest silver camps, with a population of over 40,000.

The city's fortunes declined with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893, although afterwards there was another small gold boom. Mining companies came to rely increasingly on income from the lead and zinc. The district is credited with producing over 2.9 million troy ounces of gold, 240 million troy ounces of silver, 1 million tons of lead, 785 thousand tons of zinc, and 53 thousand tons of copper. WWII also caused an increase in the mining at the nearby Climax Mine, which at one time produced 75 percent of the world's molybdenum.

In it's heyday, the town boasted 150 saloons, 23 brothels and bordellos, and 15 churches.  During WW11, 10th Mountain Division soldiers trained at nearby Camp Hale.  A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs, Leadville remains authentic and friendly, true to Colorado form.

One of the central figures in Leadville history is Horace Tabor. Horace and his wife Augusta, opened a grocery store in Leadville in 1868. He would later become the city’s first mayor and second postmaster. Known to be a generous man, Tabor was asked to “grubstake” two German immigrants in 1878 – he did…three times; the first costing him a mere $17.00. A month later, the Little Pittsburgh Mine hit, and by the end of summer, they declared a $10,000 dividend to each. Tabor quickly became the acknowledged leader of the silver mining community, and later bought, among others, the famous Matchless Mine.

(Photos of Baby Doe Tabor and Horace, in their heyday; Baby Doe at her opulent best; and Baby Doe on the streets of Denver, in later life).  In 1880, Tabor took up with a young, attractive divorcee who had arrived in Leadville, by the name of Elizabeth Boundel McCourt Doe (Baby Doe).  Carrying on a discreet relationship with Baby Doe, Horace soon asked Augusta for a divorce, which she refused – in the vein of torrid love triangle sagas, he obtained an illegal divorce and he and Baby Doe were secretly married in 1882. Horace Tabor’s fame grew, and he even served as a senator – however, the alleged divorce and scandalous marriage raged on, and was front page news across the country. It was an embarrassment to Washington, as well as other prominent figures in high social circles.  On March 1, 1883 the marriage between Horace and “Baby Doe” was finally legalized. Augusta Tabor eventually received a good part of the Tabor fortune in a final divorce decree and moved to Pasadena, California where she died in 1895, comfortable and fairly well off.

(Above: Tabor Opera House; Tabor Grand Hotel with alcove where Baby Doe stood and awaited Horace's return each night. The Opera House was said to be the finest theater between St. Louis and San Francisco when it was built. It is open for tours during the summer months). When Congress repealed the Sherman Silver Act, the government was no longer in the market for silver and Horace, failing to listen to the advice of others and diversify, faced ruin. Tabor also had made a number of unsuccessful investments in foreign mining ventures, losing huge amounts of money in Mexico and South America. His reserves diminished, he and Baby Doe lost everything. Horace died a broken man in 1899.

(Photos:  Matchless Mine; Inside Baby Doe's Shack; one of the last known photos of the once glamorous Baby Doe).  Baby Doe, once a millionaire, died in virtual poverty in 1935…found dead in her small shack at the Matchless Mine.  After her death, 17 trunks that had been stored in Denver were opened, as well as several gunny sacks and 4 trunks from Leadville.  All that was left from the Tabor fortune were several bolts of exquisite cloth, several pieces of china, a tea service and some jewelry, including a diamond and sapphire ring.  The famous watch fob and chain given to her husband at the opening of the $700,000 Tabor Opera House in Denver was also found.

The Delaware Hotel is the social hub, in the center of historic Leadville.  The hotel, known as the “Crown Jewel” of Leadville, has remained an active part of Leadville history, and continues to represent the graciousness of the Victorian era.  Erected in 1886 by the Callaway Brothers, as a monument to their home state.  Baby Doe, who became a tragic figure after Horace’s death, lived alone at the Matchless Mine, and often visited the hotel to warm herself.  She would climb the front entrance stairs, walk to the office and seat herself at the desk where she would write letters.  Baby Doe’s feet were customarily wrapped in gunny sacks for warmth as she walked to town from her wooden shack.

Open for business year round, The Delaware is a member of the Historic Hotels of the Rockies.  Reservations:  1-800-748-2004 ~ Office 719-486-1418; 700 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO  80461