Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway - Tabor Opera House - Leadville, CO
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 39° 14.725 W 106° 17.423
13S E 388648 N 4344805
The Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado has as rich a history as the historic town itself.
Waymark Code: WM6ZCC
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2009
Views: 3
In 1860, gold was discovered in California Gulch on the outskirts of what is now Leadville, Colorado. The "Gold Rush" had begun. Thousands flocked to "Oro City", as the settlement was called, to stake their claim, but by the mid 1860s, however, prospectors quickly depleated the gold reserves. Years later, in 1874, miners found "all that black stuff" in the sand that seperated from their gold search was actually silver bearing lead ore. Old gold claims were quickly bought up and the "Silver Boom" had begun. Millionaires, such as Horace Tabor were made almost overnight.
Horace Tabor and his wife, Augusta, owned a general mercantile store in Leadville. Profits from his store allowed Tabor to invest in silver mining operations and made him very wealthy and powerful man.
The Tabor Opera House, once billed the finest theatre between St. Louis and San Francisco, was opened in 1879. The 3-story stone, brick and iron building cost $40,000 to built, making it one of the most costly structures in Colorado history. Leadville, sitting at 10,430 feet above sea level did not have such materials needed for construction. All the material had to be hauled over the high mountain passes by mule and wagon...a very tedious and expensive task. The Opera House was built in an incredible 100 days!
Tabor's life became one of the greatest scandals of the time, when he left his wife to marry Elizabeth Bonduel McCourt Doe (Baby Doe). The repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 spelled ruin for Horace Tabor and many others who profited from the mining riches of the area. He lost his fortune, including the opera house. Now destitute, Tabor died penniless and Baby Doe froze to death in the small shack at the Matchless Mine.
Many well known personalities performed on this stage, including: Harry Houdini, John Philip Sousa, Oscar Wilde and Anna Held. The Opera House has been beautifully preserved for visitors to come and experience the granduer left from this once booming town.
Program: America's Byways
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway
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