A true legacy of the American West

Matchless Mine

Leadville, CO 80461
Directions: Take 7th Street east from Harrison Avenue
Follow 7th for approximately 1.25 miles and watch for
a purple ore bucket on the left.
4.8
(21)
Matchless Hours:

Closed for the Season
Price
$15 Guided

$10 Unguided
All Day
1. About Attraction
2. Reviews & Reservations

About

Take a surface tour to experience the Tabors’ legendary story and see the historic Matchless Mine—a true legacy of the American West.

  • Peer into the shaft of one of the richest mines of Colorado’s Silver Rush.
  • See the site where the riches-to-rags tale of the Tabors played out.
  • Tour the cabin where the legendary Baby Doe Tabor lived out her days.

The Tabors’ special Colorado story features a late 1800s love triangle, extraordinary overnight wealth, and a heartbroken widow who moved to a small cabin, penniless, and spent her last years alone.

*Please note that tours do not enter the mine shaft, as it is too dangerous.

Highlights

The famous mine and cabin are open Memorial Day to late September each year. See them for yourself!

  • Baby Doe's Cabin
  • Powder Magazine
  • Hoist House
  • Blacksmith Shop
  • Headframe
  • Mine Shaft
  • Gold Panning Lessons
SO MUCH TO SEE

Story of the Matchless Mine

Purchased in 1879 by silver king Horace A.W. Tabor, the Matchless Mine at first looked like a dud. But it soon became one of the richest silver mines of the era, estimated to have produced $7.5 million.

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The story

A Scandalous Affair

During this time, Tabor made a scandalous decision. Married to Augusta, a successful and respected businesswoman, he began an affair. The community scorned him for pursuing the sweet-faced Elizabeth McCourt Doe, known as “Baby Doe,” and subjected his new love to scandal.

Undaunted, Horace Tabor and Baby Doe married in Washington, DC, in 1883 during Tabor's term as United States senator. Their wedding invitations, made from solid silver, and Elizabeth's elaborate wedding dress flaunted their fabulous wealth.

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The story

Riches to Rags

Tragically, the Tabors’ high-flying lifestyle was not to last. After a few years of extravagant spending, the value of silver crashed, and the Tabor fortune vanished. Tabor died in 1899, leaving his wife and daughters nearly penniless.

For the next 36 years, Elizabeth struggled to profit from the Matchless Mine. She leased the property for various mining operations, but its wealth was… More

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REVIEWS

Hear what our past visitors have to
say about us.

Best Family Fun

So many things to see! So much to learn!  So many amazing rocks to look at and interesting stories to read about! Great hidden GEM!

Friendly staff

Leadville is an amazing day trip for those looking to explore the mountains and learn about Colorado's mining history. Definitely, do not miss this museum! While you're here, go check out the Matchless Mine, a great piece of history that's been preserved

I'm Coming!