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Was the famous Tabor Opera House REALLY a Horace Tabor project?

The Gem of Leadville

Leadville is proud of the accomplishments of its 1st mayor, Horace Tabor (who later became a U.S. Senator), but sometimes the enthusiasm to tout his accomplishments taints the truth just a tad bit.  The facts surrounding the construction of the Tabor Opera House are really about William H. Bush, a “wheeler-dealer” who often worked behind the scenes.  His involvement in the world famous Brown Palace Hotel, The Teller House in Central City are just a few of his projects.  

Construction of the Tabor Opera House (red arrow) in 1879 offered easy access for actors and actresses staying in the Clarendon Hotel over to the Opera House.  The walkway (blue arrow) built between the Clarendon and the Tabor Opera House also offered easy access for Baby Doe Tabor, who Tabor had “put up” in one of the rooms, to Tabor’s personal 2nd story suite.

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The Tabor’s home was moved in 1879 to its present location today at 116 East 5th Street in order to accommodate the construction of the Tabor Opera House.  Note the logs behind the Tabor home which were used to “roll” the house to its present location.

More information about the Tabor Home can be found by clicking HERE.

The Clarendon Hotel

Opened April 10, 1879

Tabor Opera house
Opened November 20, 1879