Description

G. B. SANBORN (Verso stamp: G.B. SANBORN. Photographer. 529 EAST 5 ST. LEADVILLE COLO.)

Leadville, CO: G. B. SANBORN [s.d., ca 1900 or shortly after].

The Ibex Mine, situated on the outskirts of Leadville, Colorado, was established in the late 19th century and grew to become one of the largest gold and copper mines by 1900. In 1898, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built a line to the mine. The mine is particularly notable for its superintendent, James Joseph “J.J.” Brown (1854–1922), who was an American mining engineer and inventor, as well as the husband of “Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

The photograph of the mine, taken around 1900 or shortly after the railroad’s construction, was captured by G.B. Sanborn, a photographer based in Leadville. Sanborn was known for documenting local mines and miners, and he also produced postcards featuring his notable images, including those of his ascent of local mountain summits and the iconic Mountain of the Holy Cross in 1905.