Historical Leadville

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The McGonigle Home in Leadville

Since the "McGonigle Home" no longer exists at 121 East 6th Street, this old photograph taken atop the old courthouse (1880s) shows what the McGonigle home probably looked like in the 1880s.  Based on the locale of the Annunciation Church (background with tall spire), it appears that one of the buildings that you see within the circle is where they resided.  As the McGonigle Saloon was also located at the same address, these structures make more sense than a typical "shotgun" home that many miners lived in.

Frank McGonigle also spent part of his time working for the Harrison Reduction Works.  The Harrison Reduction Works was a subsidiary of the St. Louis Smelting Corporation, and Harrison Avenue (main street of Leadville) is named after the owner of both companies.   Leadville was initially called Cloud City, and Cloud City was almost named Harrison…but fortunately the name “Leadville” prevailed.  Below is a picture of this smelting operation, and is how Frank McGonigle would have seen it during the 1880s.  This business opened its doors in 1878.

When the McGonigles arrived in Leadville, one of the first sites they would have seen was Harrison Avenue.   This is how Harrison Avenue looked during the 1880s.

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