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Matchless Mine

Coordinates: 39°15′22″N 106°16′16″W / 39.25611°N 106.27111°W / 39.25611; -106.27111
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Matchless Mine
Matchless mine and Baby Doe Tabor cabin
LocationE 7th Rd., Leadville, Colorado
MPSMining Industry in Colorado, MPS
NRHP reference No.10001088[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 12, 2010

The Matchless Mine is a historic mine located in Lake County, Colorado. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places,[1] and is part of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

History

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The Matchless Mine made Horace Tabor's fortune. It was purchased by Tabor in September 1879.[2] His wife, Baby Doe Tabor, died in the superintendent's cabin.

According to legend, Tabor’s dying instructions to his wife were: “Hold onto the Matchless mine, it will make millions.” After some years in Denver, Baby Doe moved into a cabin next to the mine. She lost the mine in 1927, when it was sold to satisfy a debt, but the new owners allowed Baby Doe to stay in the cabin.

In the winter of 1935, after a snowstorm, some neighbors noticed that no smoke was coming out of the chimney at the Matchless Mine cabin. Investigating, they found Baby Doe, her body frozen on the floor.[3][4][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/27/11 through 12/30/11". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. ^ Buys, Christian (2007). Historic Leadville in Rare Photographs & Drawings. Western Reflections. ISBN 9781890437084.
  3. ^ Julie Nolte Temple, “The demons of Elizabeth Tabor,” Colorado Heritage, Winter 2001, p.3-21.
  4. ^ Michael Madigan, "March 8, 1935: the death of 'Baby Doe',", Rocky Mountain News.
  5. ^ Time, "Women: the end of Baby Doe," 18 March 1935.
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39°15′22″N 106°16′16″W / 39.25611°N 106.27111°W / 39.25611; -106.27111