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Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Leadville, Here We Come!


Near the end of the 19th century Nicholas Schutz, son of German immigrants, along with his cousin, joined the ranks of people seeking their fortunes in the silver mines of Leadville, Colorado. Only one of them made it back home alive....But this is not the story of those men. Because to my regret, as a child I never asked more about this strange anomaly in our family history. But, spoiler alert: it was my great grandfather who had to bring his cousin's body back home, which is why I'm here to tell the tale. (I say "strange anomaly" because other than this guy, that side of my family isn't known for their adventurousness. Subsequent generations dropped anchor and stayed put in the same town.)



My great grandfather Nicholas Schutz (seated) and his cousin




Instead this is a story with two different threads. First up is how writers pick locations and the challenges of depicting a location remotely, both in time and space.

I'm currently working on a story for the Women of Destiny series for Prairie Rose Publications. The  real life Bassett Sisters, Josie and Anne, inspired me as I breathed life to my literary heroine. Since Josie and Anne hailed from Brown's Park, CO, I decided to set my novel in that state. The story opens in Denver, where both main characters, strangers to one another, are preparing to journey to their respective homes west of the city. They have to travel on horseback for a time into the Rockies. I wanted them to spend enough time together on the trail where they got to know each other as they wrestle with a mutual attraction, but I didn't want them wandering around in the mountains the whole novel.

So, that was the first challenge. I studied maps of Colorado to find a reasonable destination not too far from Denver but just far enough. I had to figure such things as mileage and then try and convert hours by car to hours on horseback. (I could've made up a town, but I wanted to make it so much harder on myself). I toyed with several locations but none of them felt right. While I was Googling cities in Colorado like mad, I was watched over by a photograph I keep on my desk. It's an old, faded image of my great grandfather and his cousin taken in a studio to memorize their trip out west. Literally every day I look at this picture. I often wonder about this ill-fated adventure to strike it rich in the Leadville silver boom. Leadville. Of course.

For the first time, I delved into the history of this town my direct ancestor had headed off to. The first things I saw in my internet search are the historic Healy House and the Tabor Opera House on Harrison Ave. I had to take a deep breath. My daughter's first name is Healy. Her middle name is Harrison (both family surnames: her whole name is a string of family last names). Leadville, you got me!

Only, I've never been to Leadville.

Harrison Ave., Leadville, CO, circa 1880 (Wikipedia)
How do I write about a place I've never been to? But if I only wrote about places I know first-hand, all my stories would be set in a suburb of Chicago--even my medieval romances. Lucky for us writers, there is a wealth of information accessible from our laptops. Authenticity in settings is the first thing that's going to send me off wandering down side paths, searching the internet. First I go to the area's website, any travel sites, and articles I can find. I also walk the streets virtually through Google Maps. This gives me a good sense of the geography and layout of the town.

Next I study historic street maps and old images of the town from the time period when my story is set. Doing this is extremely helpful to me. In my current WIP very little of the story actually takes place in Leadville, but it's an important section. I could have kept my characters indoors through this part of the book, but I did want them to take a walk. I had to do my best giving my characters the sights and sounds of Leadville at the turn of the century.

Now that I've gotten to know Leadville a little better, I find it is an amazing place. Quick fact: Leadville, CO is the highest incorporated city in America. It's a large flat plain in the heart of the Rockies, ringed by mountain pikes and natural beauty. Famous past residents include Doc Holliday, the Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Baby Doe Tabor of Matchless Mine fame.

What I find astonishing about Leadville is how quickly it sprung up. Leadville's story is much like the stories of many of the boom-towns had grew up after the discovery of a precious mineral--in this case silver. These towns rose and fell with the discovery and depletion of precious minerals. They were dynamic and had surprisingly diverse populations.

The 2017 census of Leadville puts its population at under 3,000. Quite a drop in population from its 30,000 residents in the 1880's, which is even more jaw-dropping considering the town was only founded in 1877. By 1880 the town had gas lighting, water mains, 28 miles of streets, 5 churches, 6 banks (!), and a school with just over 1,000 pupils. How in the world was all this accomplished so quickly? Let's look at some of its historic buildings.

The construction of the Tabor Opera House is emblematic of rise of a western boom-town.

Tabor Opera House on Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO (Wikicommons)


In 1879, Horace Austin Warner Tabor (future husband of Baby Doe, but at this point married to his first wife), a successful mining magnate built the opera house. All the materials had to be brought in by wagon from elsewhere--an arduous task. It was one of the most costly structures to be built in its time and completed in a record 100 days.
The Healy House (https://www.historycolorado.org/healy-house-museum-dexter-cabin)




The Healy House, built in the Greek Revival style by August Meyers for his bride Emma in 1878. Ten years later the house was bought by Irish immigrant cousins Daniel and Nellie Healy and converted to a boarding house. It was one of the social hubs of the day and a desirable place to reside for the influx of fortune-seekers.

Dexter Cabin

In the shadow of Healy House is Dexter Cabin. By the time mining investor, James V. Dexter, finished his log cabin, he had become a millionaire. They don't call them boom-towns for nothing.

Another historic building of interest is the Temple Israel, pointing to the diversity which could be found in a frontier town. The Jewish population of Leadville blossomed in the first five years to the point a place of worship was needed. In the early 1880's Jews accounted for one percent, or about 300 people, of the city. The temple was dedicated in 1884. 

Temple Israel, Leadville



To be able to put my great grandfather in the context of the Leadville's brief heyday gives his story more dimension than I had before. True, I don't know much of his story, but I can now imagine him in this unique time and place in history. I don't know how his cousin died (or even the poor man's name). I don't know if they were successful while there. I do know Nicholas did strike it rich digging in the dirt later. He made a small fortune digging building foundations in Evanston, Illinois. If you have an older home in Evanston, he's probably the guy who responsible for your basement. I'm delighted to uncover a lost aspect of Nicholas' life and to know I have a connection to a frontier boom-town.

Writers, how do you choose your settings? What resources do you find helpful?





20 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post, full of history, character, and real history. It's great to have an insight to your process. You are so right about the historic maps. You think you know a place, and then look at the old maps, and you realize how much things change.

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    1. Thank you! I don't have many old photos on my desk, but I always felt Nicholas had a story to tell. Too bad we don't know what that is! And yes, the historic street maps are so interesting. Aren't we lucky we can access them on the internet now?

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  2. I have been to Leadville. To find out more about your ancestor, check out 'Colorado Historic Newspapers' or the History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado : from mountain solitude to metropolis / Don L. Griswold and Jean Harvey Griswold. I have access to some information here in Colorado Springs, but also have contacts up there.

    You did a great job on Leadville. And Tabor's first wife was Virginia, who went on to create some major wealth of her own.

    Doris

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  3. Healy House! You must go! Leadville is a place I've long wanted to see as well, one of a string of old towns with lots of history and a super scenic railroad I understand. As for me, I mainly set my stories in places I know--Wyoming for the most part or CO, though also TX. I try to do research trips or if it's not possible, yay google!

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    1. Hi, Andi! Yes, aren't we lucky today as writers to have so much information a few clicks away. There really is nothing like actually going to a place, of course. I really want to go to Leadville. I've been to Colorado and it's a state I want to see more of. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Thanks, Doris! I would love to find out more about him. I noticed too that the photo says Amethyst, CO. but I couldn't find a town of that name. I wonder if it was one of those places that sprang and then completely disappeared. I plan to write to Colorado Historical Society to find out more about Amethyst. I will check out the Newspaper, thanks.
    Baby Doe is a whole 'nother story! I didn't know that about Virginia though. Interesting times and people!

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    1. Patti, I'll help you out with Amethyst when I get home. My mistake, her name was Augusta. I was talking to a Virginia here at work and it just stayed in my brain. OOPS.

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    2. Correction noted! if you find anything, DM me. Thanks!

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  5. Patti, what a wonderful job you did with this blog to point out just how an author--or anyone in fact--can get lost in the search for more and more info whether regarding relatives from the past, or just noteable people throughout history. I sometimes think I'll look up something "quick" to clearify a fact or dig in more about a person, and bingo I'm glued to the pages of history on the web, or in a reference book for way way longer than intended. And if it involves a relative well those facts are like gold. Looking forward to when this WIP is comp[leted. Again thanks for trip through CO.

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    1. Hi, Bev! Thanks for stopping by. It's so true how so much of our writing is opening up new tabs on our computers to look something up.Especially when writing historical fiction. It strikes me how much gets lost to history even in our own stories! I wish I knew more about my great grandfather's adventure. Anyway, happy writing and researching!

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  6. I love your blog, Patti and can relate how addictive research can become. I, too, have gone searching to confirm a fact or find out more and hours later, I'm still buried in learning more. Doris and Kaye are fonts of information about Colorado. I've always been fortunate to visit the settings because I want to get a "feel" for a place, breathe in the air, see the flora and fauna... I've never been to Colorado, but I love it. Must be the mountains. I believe setting can be another character in a book. I don't remember the name of the book, but it was one of Linda Lael Miller's earlier books set in the Pacific north-west, I believe, and a mining town where it rained so much that the rain and mud was integral to the story. A day of sunshine was indeed a celebration. Hmm, wonder if I can find that book?

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. I have been to Colorado and having been there I wonder why we all don't move there! It's so beautiful. I agree Kaye and Doris are a font of information being both dogged researchers living in Colorado. I've never been to the Pacific Northwest but it's definitely a place on my bucket list. That book you mentioned sounds interesting. I think mining would be a tough occupation anywhere.

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  7. Patti,

    Leadville is one of those mining towns that 'took a licking and kept on ticking' ;-). The history up in them thar hills is fascinating. My favorite of all favorite places is Fairplay in South Park, which is across the mountain from Leadville. There is a Leadville to Fairplay burro race that draws quite the touristy crowds every summer. Here's a link to an article: https://cozine.com/1995-august/47-years-of-getting-an-ass-up-the-pass/

    I'm a native Coloradoan with a special affinity for the prairie east of the mountains.

    As for research... I physically go to my story locations whenever possible. I also rely upon Perry-Castanada maps for the old trails, railroads, etc. They have been invaluable.

    Absolutely loved your article. Keep 'em coming. *wink*

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  8. Kaye, you are the other person I hoped to see chime in here. I had to laugh at the title of the article you sent the link for 47 Years of Getting the Ass up the Pass! Very interesting. Colorado is a state I aim to see more of. I have been there once and it was a memorable trip to the Durango and Mesa Verde area. So one of the mysteries to me was quickly solved by Doris. I couldn't find Amethyst, CO which is on the matting of the photo. Doris sent me an article where the town in mentioned. Apparently it was one of the towns part of a mining camp settlement that took a licking and stopped ticking. It was in the Creede area which is almost 150 miles from Leadville. I wish I knew more about my great grandfather's time there! I wonder how long he was there, for instance. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and I will look up the Perry-Castanada maps, which is a new resource to me.

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    1. I'll revamp my Perry-Castanada blog article of several years ago and repost it for my May or June day here on PRP.

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  9. I've been to Colorado many times but never to Leadville, which is the setting for the next Honey Beaulieu book. Double-triple-bazillion thanks for posting this!

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    2. How exciting about your new book! If you're looking for historical fiction I started a series set in Leadville during the silver rush. It is chock full of details! I'm sending you the link.

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  10. Patti, I think it's so interesting that you used your own family as inspiration for your book. You certainly put a great deal of research into your Colorado town of Leadville and figuring out how far to make the distance between towns and the time it would take on horseback was probably fun.
    It's fascinating to get involved in real history and real places for a story. It's exciting when you can line up the details you find in your research to fit the story line. I think you must have done an amazing job with that.
    This was such an interesting blog. I love that you included the photo of your great-grandfather and the historical buildings.
    All the very best to you Patti...

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  11. Hi, Sarah, and thanks! Of course we do the best we can as writers and hope we get it right.
    As far as inspiration, I think the story also inspired me to think more about what my great grandfather did. You know how you grow up with the hint of a story and don't think much more about it, but reading about life in Leadville and boom-towns in general, he must have had some guts to venture out on such a risky gamble. I do wonder more about the details of his time in Colorado and I do feel this research is bringing him more in focus for me. Thanks for stopping by.

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