The McGonigle
Neighborhood
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Prior to visiting Leadville, I contacted
the library to see if they had any information about the McGonigles.
I was surprised to learn that the library had a fairly robust
genealogical file, so one of the first things we did when we got to
Leadville was to go through census information and copies of the
Leadville City Record (1879-1888). The Leadville City Record
was more helpful as it provided an address for the McGonigles, and also
reflected the occupations of each of the residents.
The McGonigles lived at 121 e. 6th Street.
What you see above is a panoramic view
around
their "home" on 6th street, which now has been replaced with a maintenance shed for the city
of Leadville. Their house was about a block from Leadville's main
street, Harrison Street, and not only served as their home, but also
"housed" several of their business enterprises. The church behind
them is the Annunciation Catholic Church, which was built in 1879, and
was the church the McGonigles attended in the 1880s.
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The Neighborhood (6th and 7th
Street) - Click to Enlarge
Alley Behind the "McGonigle" home
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This house is directly behind the McGonigle "home"
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The alley between the McGonigles and their "back door" neighbors - westward
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Parish rectory is the largest structure along the alley - looking east
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Looking at homes on 7th Street - from alley
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While we aren't certain why they lived on 6th street,
we do know that most of the Irish settled on East Sixth Street (if they lived
within the boundaries of Leadville city limits). One of the stories I
found amusing was:
"East 6th
Street was always exciting especially on St. Patrick's Day. All the
good sons of Erin would dress up in their Sunday best, attend the 9:00
o'clock mass, then walk to their favorite pub where they would fortify their
courage. Once fortified, they would line the sidewalk on East Sixth.
On the opposite side of the street the Orangemen (Protestants) would be
doing likewise. The festivities began with name-calling, and it was
not long before the middle of he street was filled with fighting sons of the
green and the orange...win, lose, or draw it was a grand day for the Irish."
Homes on 7th Street near the Church
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Looking east on 7th street to Church
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Homes across from the Church on 7th Street
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This home is one of the houses behind the McGonigle home on 7th street
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Homes on w. 6th Street - approximately one block
from the "McGonigles"
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This house is one block west of Harrison Street
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Homes are "shotgun" homes...rooms in a row.
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Another view of 6th Street - the scenery towards
Mt. Majestic are "awe inspiring"
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Brick buildings started to appear in the 1880s
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The "blue" building appears to be same time period at the 1880s
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Elizabeth in front of e. 121 6th street. Must have held a "larger home" than normal at the time.
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Towards Mt. Majestic. Picture doesn't do the view justice.
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