Matchless Mine

For the African copper mine, see Matchless Mine, Namibia.

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
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Matchless mine and Baby Doe Tabor cabin
Location	E 7th Rd., Leadville, Colorado
MPS	Mining Industry in Colorado, MPS
NRHP reference No.	10001088[1]
Added to NRHP	December 12, 2010

History

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

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lake County, Colorado