Leadville Main Street

About Leadville

Leadville’s history is the stuff of legends. From the first miners who discovered gold in California Gulch in 1860 to the silver kings who followed like Horace Tabor and J.J. Brown, the city’s history is filled with intriguing stories. In 1961, the Leadville Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark, which includes 67 mines in the 20 square mile mining district east of the city. There are 70 square blocks of original Victorian architecture as well as 50 turn-of-the-century buildings in the city. Leadville is one of Colorado’s premiere heritage tourism destinations, and has more museums than any other city in Colorado. The City of Leadville has been a Department of Local Affairs Main Street Community since 2015, and a local affiliate member of the National Main Street Center- Main Street America. The mission is to encourage economic growth and historic preservation in downtown Leadville. With the history of Leadville in our hearts and the future on our minds, Main Street allows us to focus our efforts on developing a long-term vision for the city that outlives the mining industry while Lovin' On Leadville.

It’s the life force of our community where people visit to see familiar faces and enjoy the culture our businesses create. – Resident

Celebrating Main Street

During the month of May (Historic Preservation Month),  Colorado Main Street  and local programs ask residents and visitors about those downtown places - historic buildings, businesses, and public spaces - that matter most to them. The following are the top results for Leadville.

Zaitz Park

Zaitz Park. Click to expand.

Favorite Gathering Place

Murals and Little Free Library

Murals and Little Free Library. Click to expand.

Favorite Art

Tabor Opera House

Tabor Opera House. Click to expand.

Favorite Landmark

Melanzana

Melanzana. Click to expand.

Favorite Business

Boom Days

Boom Days. Click to expand.

Favorite Event

Zaitz Park

 Favorite Gathering Place 

Zaitz Park is our only true public space downtown, this summer the main street program and community members have spent time planting wildflowers, painting a new mural, and freshening up the park to make it more welcoming. This is where our public restrooms are located and we would encourage visitors to use the park as a place to rest, an open space for kids and dogs, and indulge in downtown Leadville.

Murals and Little Free Library

 Favorite Art 

Authentic Leadville mural done and a one-of-a-kind Little Free Library, each created by a local artist.

Tabor Opera House

 Favorite Landmark 

Opened in 1879,  The Tabor Opera House  has been designated a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Melanzana

 Favorite Business  

 Melanzana  is a rare beast of a company. It manufactures and sells outdoor clothing – all under one roof – in downtown Leadville, using only U.S.-made parts and fabric. Melanzana's commitment to locally brewed apparel puts quality, soul and authenticity before quantity. Be patient, grasshopper!

Boom Days

 Favorite Event  

 Leadville Boom Days  is a Colorado Mountain Festival and historical celebration of the Old West, with gunslingers, burro races, contests of mining skill, and a street fair with over 100 food and craft booths. Celebrating Leadville’s rich mining history, the event is beloved by locals and visitors alike.  It is always the first full weekend in August.

[Harrison Avenue is] the life force of our community where people visit to see familiar faces and enjoy the culture our businesses create. - Resident


OTHER FAVORITES ON MAIN STREET: LEADVILLE

Of course, there is more to Leadville than the top results! Below are some other favorites identified in the Celebrating Main Streets survey ...

Leadville Landmarks


Heritage Energy

Colorado Main Street has launched the Heritage Energy Pilot Project to offer interagency collaboration to combine quality historic preservation in Colorado Main Street districts with statewide energy goals. The Leadville Herald-Democrat was one of three buildings chosen for the pilot program.

When funding became available through SB21-252 to support efforts to support façade improvements and energy efficiency projects through Main Street: Open for Business grants, these pilot projects each received $250,000 to achieve these goals.

You can see the dramatic results here in Leadville! 


Historic Tour

Leadville, a Victorian-era mining town, was once home to 30,000 residents. In its heyday, it saloons, dance halls, and brothels. Thanks to the profiting gold and silver mines, there was also a lot of wealth, which afforded the construction of hotels, Victorian mansions, and the Tabor Opera House.

70 square blocks of Leadville’s downtown were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Since then, extensive preservation efforts have put much of the town’s rich history on display. With such notable structures as the Healy House, Heritage Museum, Delaware Hotel, and Tabor Home on the route, a historic walking tour of downtown Leadville is not to be missed.


About Leadville Main Street

Mission:

Strengthening community connection through historic preservation, beautification and the activation of public spaces to support a thriving downtown.

As a historic city at 10,200 feet, Leadville on top of it all at two miles high with a rich history and authentic experience. I am truly honored to be a part of Leadville’s history! - Nancy Bailey, Leadville Main Street Manager