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.

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

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