| Matchless Mine | |
| Location: | E 7th Rd., Leadville, Colorado |
| Added: | December 12, 2010 |
| Refnum: | 10001088[1] |
| Mpsub: | Mining Industry in Colorado, MPS |
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.
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]