2020-23
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| The Healy House Museum deeded to Leadville in the late 30's, stayed empty around 1970 the Colorado historical group started renovations |
Leadville Colorado Part II
Campground: Twin Lakes Colorado, south of Leadville approx 20 miles. Lots of dispersed camping around the lake. Established campsites as well…. Checked out one, it was a parking lot maintained by the Forest service (?) $20 for a parking lot site (no services). Other appear more like a regular campground.
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| Twin Lakes dispursed camp site (west end) |
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| Twin Lakes, dispersed camping (east end) |
Well, this story is all about being able to take a couple of tours during a pandemic. I’ve had very few opportunities throughout the summer months to take in any tours. But while in the Leadville area, I decided to check on a couple and see if I could get in, proper distancing a must.
The Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin
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| The Healy House Museum the gandson of the inventor visited the house |
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| a third floor was added and the back side was orginally part of a barn. third floor, 4 bedrooms for 8 school teachers |
As it turned out I
was able to go on two tours in town and both were basically private
tours, first thing in the day. Lucky me. The Healy House Museum and
Dexter Cabin was the first tour I was able to get on. Each tour of
historic homes throughout the country have their own story and help
to tell the history of the town itself. The homes are in the
two-mile high town of Leadville, where miners made their fortunes
overnight. The Healy House, which was built by Horace and Baby Doe
Tabor (his second wife) was a grand home, sitting on top of a hill
overlooking the town. Horace kept all of his money in silver mining
and he continued to make money in the boom that followed. Especially
since the U.S. went on a Gold and Silver backed dollar. When the
U.S. decided to drop silver backing of the dollar, the market and
price of silver dropped. Making it worthless to mine. The Tabor’s
continued to spend freely building the Opera house and many other
improvements in Leadville. Until their money ran out.
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| Dexter Cabin a well fitted cabin |
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| Dexter Cabin James had a private bathroom with tub |
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| my very informed tour guide |
The other home on the property is the Dexter Cabin. It had been moved here as part of the historic district. The cabin was built in 1879 by James V Dexter for use as a hunting lodge and only men were invited for the gambling, a little bit of business and drinking. James was a banker and mining magnate that diversified, having invested in many other ventures. He owned numerous cabins and homes where ever his businesses happened to be. He maintained his wealth quite easily even when the silver boom dropped.
The cabin, though quite normal looking from the outside, was really tricked out, as the saying goes. Rooms were covered in expensive wallpaper, fine art and the best of furnishings. He had a private bathroom with built in tub. Taking 26 buckets of hot water to fill it.
To me the two homes, along with the history of the families tell another story or lesson as it were. It might be easy to make money, given the circumstances. But having the brains to hold onto it, diversify your holdings and spend but not overspend…. Lots of good business lessons to be learned from the owners of these two homes.
And yes, it’s always interesting to learn about the families, what technological advances they had back in the late 1800’s The Healy House (built by the Tabor’s) was the first to be pre-wired for electricity. Unfortunately, they had it wired for DC power and when the town got it’s first electric plant, it went with AC. Making the pre-wiring of the home useless.
Tabor Opera House
Leadville Colorado
Now my second tour was to the Tabor Opera House. Yes, the Tabor’s who made a fortune in silver mining, built the best opera house between San Francisco and St Louis. Bringing culture and entertainment to the mining community. Across the street is the Silver Dollar Saloon, 1879. The 4th oldest operating saloon in Colorado.
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| The Tabor Opera House |
I was able to get a private tour on Sunday morning. Three thespians were on duty to give me the tour. Learning about the famous people who came to enjoy the theater as well as the performers who graced it’s stage. At one time, there was an enclosed catwalk between the hotel next door and the opera house so that the wealthy patrons would not have to go through the main lobby.
A piano player came over and performed a few numbers on stage on a grand piano that is original to the opera house. Having been sold and moved from place to place, it eventually was returned to the theater. Which is now owned by the city and is continuing to undergo renovations. Some of the original ornate red velvet seats are in the balcony and slightly newer seats that were installed by the Eagles when they owned the place remain. Surprisingly, they are all quite comfortable.
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| a number of rooms are part museum |
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| local musician playing the grand piano |
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| we even toured the basement and actors dressing rooms Oscar Wilde used this room |
Being able to walk on stage, back stage, viewing the original sets and going down into the basement where the actors dressing rooms all are. Even seeing the trap door onto the stage that Harry Houdini would have used during his performances really brought the whole theater experience to life.
These are the types of tours that provide more insight into the development of an historic town, it’s people and places. Each bringing back the past to life once again. A couple of fun tours.
Now, my next trip brought me only about 20 miles south of town to Twin Lakes where I’ll be taking a boat tour on both lakes with a stop at the historic Interlaken Resort. We had to cancel the first day I arrived as a brooding sky indicated rain. After leaving to find a camp spot, it cleared up.
Historic Interlaken
Resort.
Twin Lakes boat tour
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| scenes surrounding Twin Lakes created during the last ice age, 10,000 years ago |
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| one of these is the tallest in Colorado over 14,000 ft don't ask me which one... |
So the next day here
we are. I’m joining the 10 am boat tour on Twin Lakes. We’re
headed for the historic Interlaken Resort. The skies are clear, the
waters calm as we wend our way through the natural channel between
the two lakes. Twin Lakes is a natural lake that is now connected to
Turquoise Lake and the tunnels that were built to take water from the
west side of continental divide to the dryer parched eastern side of
the Rockies. The lake has gone through dramatic water levels changes
as it is drained off enabling farm lands and cities to thrive.
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| After purchasing the hotel James Dexter had this cabin built for his family and a place to stay while supervising the expansion of the hotel |
Interlaken Resort was one of the first western resorts to be built to accommodate the well to do travels a chance to be in the Rockies, without having to ride a horse or carriage for miles through rugged terrain. Since the railroad had just completed a leg to Leadville and the tracks came very close to Twin Lakes. It became an instant hit. I’ve mentioned James Dexter’s cabin in Leadville. As a smart business man, he came out to see this hotel on Twin Lakes. Liked it so much he bought it. And built another cabin. This one could accommodate his family, as he would then be able to manage the hotel and continue to add onto it. The cottage has a great porch, a couple of bedrooms on the second floor and a copula. Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed hunting on their 2,000 acres of forested land.
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| the back side of the hotel, all log construction |
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| Jim and Lexie McMillen our great tour guides. Lexie has a Master's License and has piloted the Delta Queen, the Natchez and the Mississippi Queen |
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| a very recent bear track right next to our landing site |
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| the front of the hotel, gussied up but missing the porch |
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| hotel annex |
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| two ice houses |
At one time there
was a separate dance hall that I’m told was used up until the 60’s.
And Dexter’s cabin was used up until about that time. Although
the family let the hotel and other structures go. The forest
department is now attempting to preserve it all. What a great way to
spend a morning.
Hikers can do the four and a half mile round trip hike as well as bikers as there is no road leading to the development. It was flooded out when the new dam was built, raising the water level.
More photos:
This is very cool Thanks for sharing
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