History in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, is the real deal. And this year five Lake County businesses are celebrating 140 years! Make sure you see these 5 history spots on your next trip to town.
TWIN LAKES:
1) THE TWIN LAKES INN & SALOON
Over the years, The Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon has been a stagecoach stop, a hotel, and a brothel. This winter, it’s making history by opening on weekends for the first time in five years. Come dine and stay at this former stagecoach stop Friday to Sunday from November to March. The Inn has even coined a new term—TWIN-ter—to celebrate all the fun things to do there.
Visit and hike around Twin Lakes, admire the view of Twin Peaks, explore the twin long-haul trails (Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail), and enjoy a milder winter than the area’s northern neighbor, Leadville, the Cloud City.
LEADVILLE:
2) SILVER DOLLAR SALOON
The Silver Dollar Saloon has an impressive list of past patrons. Outlaw “Doc” Holliday went there often. So did The Unsinkable Molly Brown and her husband JJ Brown, as well as Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde.
Come for a delicious lunch and late-night drinks! Be sure to see the original bars and 3/4″ diamond dust mirrors. Both came by train and covered wagon from St. Louis, Mo. And find the photo of a resident ghost that hangs on the wall.
3) HERALD DEMOCRAT
The Herald Democrat is one of Colorado’s oldest locally owned newspapers. A 1905 Duplex Printing Press still stands in the basement. Be sure to check the paper for local events and news for your visit! Read the Heritage Guide to discover the fascinating history of Leadville and Twin Lakes. Turn to the seasonal Discover Guide and the weekly Mountain Guide to find fun things to do throughout the valley!
4) TABOR OPERA HOUSE
Sense the spirit of the 1880s Silver Rush, in a majestic theater built by mining magnate Horace Tabor in just 100 days. New things are coming to the Tabor Opera House in 2020—scaffolding! The first phase of a multi-year, $10 million rehabilitation kicks off this spring. It’s part of a spirited effort to revitalize this historic opera house and create a center for diverse arts and culture in downtown Leadville. Make your plans now to visit next summer! Take in a world-class performance and book a tour, which lets you walk the storied stage yourself.
5) ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL
Founded by nuns who attended to injured miners, St. Vincent Hospital has a fascinating history. The original building, on Leadville’s east side, now houses condos. Last summer, St. Vincent General Hospital District broke ground on a new hospital that’s expected to be complete by the end of 2020. We hope you won’t need to visit the hospital while you’re in town! But if you do, rest assured you’ll have access to excellent healthcare 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
MORE LEADVILLE HISTORY
Come see us this winter, and take a downtown Leadville walking tour.
Warm up at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum while exploring the history of mining. Learn what Silver Rush life was like, at the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin, open Fridays and Saturdays this winter. Nordic ski or snowshoe the trails at the Leadville National Fish Hatchery, the second-oldest fish hatchery in the nation.
And explore our free groomed trails, which wind past historic mining structures. Bring your skis, snowshoes, or fat bikes for the Mineral Belt Trail. Bring all of those plus your snowmobile for the East Side Mining District. Both have spectacular views of history sites and the surrounding snow-covered peaks.
Visiting in spring, summer, or fall? Learn about more year ‘round history sites and tours in Leadville and Twin Lakes.
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