Downtown Leadville

Stroll Leadville’s main street, and you’ll be surrounded by ornate architecture, colorful storefronts, and local businesses set in original Victorian buildings. Unlike other Colorado mining towns, Leadville still looks much as it did in years past, with local merchants lining the streets of historic Harrison Avenue and a down-to-earth, local vibe.

National Historic Landmark District

In fact, 70 square blocks of downtown Leadville have been designated as a National Historic Landmark District of Victorian Architecture, with most of the buildings dating to between 1880 and 1905. Take a walking tour! Check page 10 of the History Guide for a tour of significant buildings and a map.

These include the largest opera house west of the Mississippi, the saloon visited by Oscar Wilde, the church where “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” married in 1886, Leadville’s City Hall, and Victorian homes with towers and turrets.

Visit the quaint shops and eateries, book a stay in an elegant 1880s inn or B&B, or take a historic walking tour. You’ll find it easy to imagine the silver mining boom days in Leadville.

For more on downtown Leadville, see what fascinating history stories YouTube sensations Kara and Nate uncover when they visit!