Courtesy of the Western History Collection,
Denver Public Library
Leadville, Colorado, from the late 1870s through the First World War and on deep into the 20th Century has developed as one of the best examples of a classic western American mining boom town. During its early glory days of gold and silver strikes Leadville could have stood as a prototypic movie set populated by the full range of remarkable western caricatures. Leadville's culture and commerce were quickly absorbed into the rapidly growing structure of America's industrial economy, supplying not just precious metals but also, ultimately, metals for the production of steel and other fundamental uses. Amongst the many groups of people attracted to the mine fields in the high Rockies was an eclectic sample of then recent Jewish immigrants. Representing all strata of society from mine owners and important merchants to itinerant laborers and tradespeople, they and their fellow pioneers made new lives for themselves and their families while contributing to America's evolving preeminence. It is to their memory that the Temple Israel Foundation is dedicated.
| Temple Israel during the 1890s. Courtesy of the Western History Collection, Denver Public Library |
The Temple Israel Foundation was incorporated in April, 1987, "to acquire, historically rehabilitate, and maintain" the Temple Israel building and to research the history of the Jewish community in Leadville as a whole without losing sight of the particulars of individual lives. In October, 1992, the Foundation purchased the Temple Israel building. On June 18, 1993, the Foundation was awarded title to Leadville's Hebrew Cemetery by the District Court. This action rejoined in ownership both parcels originally held by the Congregation Israel and expanded the mandate of the Foundation to include the restoration and maintenance of both properties. After completing therestoration to its original (1884-1894) form, a project presently underway, the Foundation expects that the Temple Israel building will be returned to use as a museum commemorating the Jewish experience in the industrializing West. It will also be available for services and other public meetings by appropriate groups. The Hebrew Cemetery, which is separate from the temple site, has benefited from several years of increasing volunteer efforts from several hundred individuals and has been consecrated and reopened for burials.
Email for the Temple Israel Foundation: longled@longled.cnc.net
208 West 8th Street, Leadville, CO 80461
719-486-3625
HOME || BUILDING || CEMETERY || PEOPLE
Other sites with information about Jewish Colorado include the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society, Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver and jewishcolorado.org
For more information about Leadville and its history:
Leadville : History
FourteenerNet : History
