The Tabor Opera House became a cultural beacon in the otherwise secluded mining town of Leadville during the late 19th century.

Horace Tabor, a prospector, businessman, and politician, constructed the opera house in 1879, with the construction process only taking 100 days. The required construction supplies were not accessible in the rowdy town of Leadville, so Tabor ordered them to be transported over Colorado’s mountain passes.

The resulting building was enormous, crafted from stone, brick, and iron, with robust 16-inch-thick brick walls framed with Portland cement. The three-story structure featured two retail shops on the ground floor and a theater on the second. The third floor included an enclosed skywalk that once connected to the Clarendon hotel – now replaced by a gas station. Inside, the Tabor was lavishly adorned with painted wall and ceiling frescoes, custom-designed carpets, and hand painted stage curtains.

According to the Tabor Opera House’s website, the building earned a reputation as the “finest opera house west of the Mississippi.” Oscar Wilde, John Philip Sousa, and Buffalo Bill took the stage at the Tabor. Magician Harry Houdini also allegedly disappeared through the stage’s trap door, although the Tabor notes that they’re unsure if that story is fact or fiction.

In 1893, after the collapse of silver prices – and with it, Tabor’s fortune – Judge A. S. Weston obtained the Tabor Opera House. He renamed the building the Weston Opera House. The property changed owners once again in 1901 when the Leadville Elks Building Association bought it and renamed it The Elks Opera House. The building was remodeled to its present structure in 1902, with a 30-foot addition to the east end, the third floor lowered, and the auditorium expanded.

The Elks sold the building to Evelyn Furman, who ran it for 59 years until she turned 84. She later handed reins to her daughter Sharon Furman Bland and her husband.

Eventually, Leadville acquired the opera house from the Bland Family in 2016. In 2017, the Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation signed a 50-year lease and a 10-year operating agreement with Leadville to oversee the building’s rehabilitation and management. The organization also launched a historic rehabilitation to save the Tabor in 2020, with construction crews working on damaged exterior walls repairing brickwork, windows, doors, and more.

Today, patrons of the Tabor Opera House can enjoy performances representing a wide range of genres, including opera, theater, Broadway, blues jazz, rock, flamenco dancing, ballet, community theater, and more. They can also learn about Leadville’s Wild West history while they enjoy a show.

Find additional information about visiting the Tabor Opera House here.

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