High up in the Rockies is Leadville (alt. 10,190ft/3,105m; pop. 2,500), once an important silver-mining center. Gold and silver are still worked in the area. Leadville is now also an important winter sports center which, thanks to its high altitude, has a very long season.
The Annunciation Church in Leadville was dedicated on January 1, 1880. The building has a tall spire, that has become a landmark in the town, and a great bell which was installed in 1885. Titanic survivor Molly Brown was married here in 1886.
The Leadville City Hall building was constructed in 1905, but used as a post office until 1973. In the lobby is an antique Leadville popcorn wagon and local history displays.
This multi-media presentation, the Earth Runs Silver is a video presentation of Colorado's legendary mining camps. Through music and narration, it traces the history of Leadville from the gold rush era to present day capturing the excitement and drama.
Address: Leadville / Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 809 Harrison Avenue, Box 861, Leadville, CO 80461-3563, United States
Phone: 1 (719) 486-3900, Fax: 1 (719) 486-8478
Hours:
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Shown at the visitor center for free on request.
The restored Healy House is a reminder of the great days of the gold and silver boom.
It was built in 1878 by August R. Meyer, then sold to Daniel Healy in 1881. Furniture, clothing, pictures and maps are on display in this restored home that looks like a log cabin but is complete with fine woodwork and hardwood floors.
The Leadville Heritage Museum is housed in the old Carnegie Library built in 1902 and used until 1971. The museum was established in 1971, with exhibits including a replica of the Leadville Ice Palace, 10th Mountain Division memorabilia and local artifacts.
The Historic Delaware Hotel was completed in 1886 by the three Callaway Brothers. The hotel was built as a monument to their state of Delaware.
This Victorian Inn has rooms filled with period antiques and other collectibles from around the world. Visitors and guests of the Delaware Hotel can take a self-guided tour of the guest rooms.
Address: Historic Delaware Hotel, 700 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461, United States
Phone: 1 (719) 486-1418, Fax: 1 (719) 486-2214
Ice Palace Park in Leadville commemorates the world's largest palace of ice, built nearby in 1896. It contained a skating rink, grand ballroom, restaurant and exhibition halls.
The Leadville National Fish Hatchery was established in 1889 and propagates rainbow, brown, lake and brook trout. There are 2 public fishing ponds and hiking opportunities in nearby Mount Massive Wilderness Area. Wildlife viewing includes mountain blue birds, juncos, great blue herons, hawks, eagles, waterfowl, elk, deer, raccoons, porcupines, and fox.
The Matchless Mine Cabin was the home of "Baby Doe", the wife of Horace Tabor, a storekeeper who became a wealthy mine-owner but died a ruined man. Their story became the subject of a musical, "The Ballad of Baby Doe".
The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum has a large collection of material on the history of mining.
It is housed in an old Victorian high school building dating from 1900.
Address: National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, 120 West Ninth Street, Box 981, Leadville, CO 80461-0981, United States
Phone: 1 (719) 486-1229, Fax: 1 (719) 486-3927
The old Presbyterian Church in Leadville was dedicated in 1889. Notable features include an open Gothic-styled bell tower and decorative glass windows such as hand-painted Persian glass.
The restored Tabor Grand Hotel building in Leadville dates from 1883. Designed by noted architect, George King. The hotel now has shops on the lower floor and apartments on the upper floors.
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