New Status for the Historic Matchless Mine in Leadville

by Faye Golson

Editor’s note: Salida resident Faye Golson describes her efforts to place the famous Matchless Mine on the National Register of Historic Places.

The letter came in the mail not as a complete surprise. Return address – Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Denver, CO. “We are pleased to announce the listing of the Matchless Mine on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. The official designation took place on December 28, 2010 …” The Matchless Mine had been a two-year project for me. This included first working as a team member on the Historic Structures Assessment to determine the condition of the buildings and structures and then preparing the National Register Nomination for the property.

After receiving a Historic Preservation Certificate in Research & Documentation from CMC, Timberline College in Leadville in December 2009, I started a new career in historic preservation, a subject always dear to my heart. The Matchless Mine has a strong magnetism (try using a compass while standing on the claim) over individuals interested in history. Although there are historic preservation specialists who focus on mining nomination, this was my second nomination and my first attempt at a “mining” nomination. This project required more time than usual in order to become educated in not only the mining industry but also the special requirements of a mining nomination.

Completing a nomination is something like working a jigsaw puzzle. Research, the accumulation of information not previously published for this purpose, and documentation – filling in the blanks of the form with proper citations – are all major pieces. The nomination for the Matchless Mine was different in that much has already been researched and documented about the mine. The process became a matter of filtering the puzzle pieces for credibility and reliability. With indispensable assistance from Fred Mark, a Denver geologist who wrote a geologic summary and supplied numerous maps, Kat Neilson, the curator of the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum (NMHFM) who edited much of the writing, and Heather Bailey, the state historian, the nomination was completed. The puzzle was assembled with non-conforming pieces left as surplus.

The NRHP is a listing of America’s recognized historic structures generally 50 years or older (there are a few exceptions). In the year 2010 it contained approximately 85,000 listings. For a property to have the distinction of being approved and listed, the required documentation must include a description of the property, a narrative statement of its historic importance and context, as well as its historic and architectural significance with site plans for reference. The State historian at the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in Denver was important in the process, offering assistance, suggestions, and producing the material for final review. Once complete, the nomination was presented to the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board. With their approval it moved forward to the National Park Service (NPS) under the Department of the Interior, where final approval was given and the listing became official.

The NMHFM is owner of the Matchless Mine Claim. Tours of the existing building and structures surrounding shaft #6 are used in summer months to educate the public about the mining industry. So why did the museum believe that having a property listed on the National Register would be of importance? There are several reasons, some cultural and others monetary. The listing encourages preservation of historic properties for future generation and places the listing in the National Register Archives. Owners of historic properties are often eligible for state and federally funded grants. Tax incentives are available for income-producing historic properties for which rehabilitation is planned. With sustainability now a big issue in our country, the rehabilitation of older buildings offers a sensible economic solution. Preservation easements can be an option for some owners. At this point it should be emphasized that the use, development or sale of privately-owned historic properties are not restricted. If receiving State or Federal funding however, there are certain federal standards to which the rehabilitation process must adhere. If a property becomes improperly altered or damaged in some way, it can be removed from the NRHP.

For the completion of NPS Form 10-900, used to determined eligibility of the Matchless Mine Claim, several steps were taken. An initial outline was made. Collection of resource material, maps, title search documents, UTM references, boundary descriptions, site plan, floor plans, and historic and current photographs were essential. I will insert just a brief word about National Register photography. Until last year, silver gelatin prints, due to their archival qualities, were required. With the introduction of digital photography, many processing labs reduced their chemical capabilities of processing film onto silver gelatin- coated papers. These prints became expensive and a burden to include in the nominations. Digital photography with a specified high resolution, on a high quality compact disc is now permissible for National Register submission. The first draft of the nomination was submitted to the state historian for changes. With the inclusion of the requested additional information, a second draft was submitted. After other revisions in the statement of significance, criteria considerations, narrative statements and areas/periods of significance, the final draft was prepared for the review board. This occurred over a period of a year or so. The State Review Board now meets three times a year and we were fortunate to make the October 1, 2010 review meeting. After the vote to approve the Matchless Mine Claim nomination and submission to the NPS, the official notification of acceptance to the NRHP was received. The full nomination can be viewed at www.cr.nps.gov/nr/feature/weekly_features/11_01_07_Matchless_Mine.htm. Click “read full file.”

The Matchless Mine will soon sport a National Register plaque next to the entrance of the superintendent’s cabin, Baby Doe’s cabin. If you find yourself in Leadville mid-May through mid-September, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Matchless Mine. The present tour takes place at the north end of the claim around shaft #6. Horace Tabor purchased the Matchless mining claim, patent survey number 470, in 1880. The claim, 4.43 acres, had three existing shafts that had been sunk at the south end. Tabor further developed the south end with the Leonard shaft, named after the manager at the time. In 1885 Tabor announced he would develop the north end of the claim. Two additional shafts were sunk, the #5 and #6. Shaft #6 was the last producing shaft, and fortunately many of the buildings and structures remain intact for viewing.

The best way to describe what the Matchless Mine means to me is to restate it as I did in the summary paragraph of the nomination. “The feeling of place, surrounded by other historically significant mining claims, is apparent when standing on the grounds of the Matchless Mine. Headframes of some of these other mining claims still tower in the distance. Cribbing visible along the Mineral Belt Trail, adds prominence to the working of this mining district. The Matchless Mine takes on a life of its own when the current visitors enter its boundaries, stimulating their minds and often touching their sentiments with its evidence of a past era.” It has been a privilege to be involved in this project.