Leadville, past its heyday and struggling, attempted to attract visitors by building a mammoth ice castle to draw sightseers, create jobs and rescue the town's flagging economy. The biggest ice structure ever built in the United States, was erected in Leadville in 1895 encompassing 58,000 square feet. The Crystal Palace, as it was called, was completed in December, 1985 and opened on January 1, 1896.

The palatial building included an ice skating rink, a merry-go-round, a toboggan run, and several social enterprises, including gambling, restaurants, and dance rooms. Unfortunately, Leadville had a very early thaw in March, which shut down the most magnificent ice palace in history. 

Though, Leadville welcomed more than 250,000 visitors to the Crystal Palace, it was not enough to revive the community and those that invested into the venture did not fare well.

During the early twentieth century, a vast deposit of molybdenum was discovered in Climax, 14 miles northeast of Leadville. This metal is used in the production of modern high strength steel alloys. The Climax Molybdenum Company created what was to become one of the largest open pit mines in the world to extract the ore from Bartlett Mountain. By the 1940's annual production at the mine was over$13,000,000.

One of America's last remaining authentic mining towns, Leadville has a wealth of historical attractions, including the federally chartered National Mining Hall of Fame Museum, the Healy House & Dexter Cabin State Museum, and the Tabor Opera House.

A "must stop" for ghost towners and explorers is the Leadville Chamber of Commerce, where you can pick up a free map called "The Route of the Silver Kings".  This informational guide will tell you a about the mines surrounding Leadville, as well as show you the way. Most of the roads are easily accessible with any vehicle. It is well worth the trip!!