Now a quaint little town, Leadville had a population of over 30,000 people before the turn of the 20th century. Silver mining created a 'silver' rush. It was when the decision was made to base the dollar on gold instead of silver that the 'crash' happened. During the silver rush all the favorite Wild West characters visited Leadville. Some passed through, some stayed quite a while. Doc Holiday did his dentistry here. HAW Tabor became a baron and then lost it all. Main street - rebuilt on Harrison Avenue after a fire took out most of Chestnut St. - looks almost as it did over a hundred years ago.
At an altitude of 10,152', life was a challenge for the miners. The city was the center of activity in Colorado for years in the 1800's, but with the end of the boom, attention became focused on Denver. Climate may have had a little to do with it! To get to Leadville in those days it took several days, with the possibility of snow any month of the year. Today that cool climate is appreciated by bikers, hikers and runners, and of course sports enthusiasts in the winter. It is known to many for high altitude training.
The Climax Mine came to Leadville during World War I - with the opening of the world's largest Molybdenum mine 12 miles away. For decades it prospered. A town was built around the mine and eventually it was all moved to Leadville. This mine closed in the 1980's, but is in the re-opening stages. During this time Leadville turned to tourism, and the area has so much to offer, winter & summer. Leadville has lately been 'discovered'. People are looking for part time homes here. Some are retiring here, some visiting as often as they can. It is less crowded and much more affordable than surrounding counties. The area is known as an outdoor playground with numerous races of all sorts. Bicycle, skiing, ski joring, snowshoeing.....  you name it, we'll race it at over 10,000 feet above sea level.	THE GREEN CHILES ARE STILL BOUGHT FRESH AND HAND ROASTED • ALL FOOD IS MADE TO ORDER • SMOTHER EVERYTHING!
THE BEGINNING OF THE GRILL In 1936 Leadville's only black man wanted to open a small restaurant and looked at the north end of town. He was not welcomed there as the community was divided ethnically. He went down to the south end where the Hispanic population resided. No - this wasn't the beginning of the Grill's Mexican fare. He had a little counter & a couple of booths and he 'grilled' Louisiana style food. Hence the name The Grill. The jukebox was a draw and he was very busy. The place had a party atmosphere and still does!	The Grill changed hands only a few times since 1936, always in the food &/or beverage business. It had become a nightclub when the Martinez's decided to buy it in 1965. They kept the bar runnning but used the dance hall area for rooms for the miners to bunk, with meals provided. It was Mrs. Martinez' good cooking that pushed them out of a place to sleep. They bragged to too many friends about the great meals they were getting, and this became the Martinez business! The tortillas and everything else were made by her hand.
NOW In this new century, James, one of the sons that lived under the roof of the Grill, and his wife Linda, run the restaurant. The tortillas are no longer hand made (come on!) but just about everything else is. From scratch. From the 10 tons of fresh chile peppers that arrive every fall to the sacks of beans that are boiled every day. All the ingredients are the best quality available. Your food is made to order and baked at 500 degrees. So sit back, sip your margarita, and the best meal you've had in a long time will be set in front of you!	THE ART Linda Duthie, the gringa from Canada, has been by James' side since 1991. She makes sure you are welcomed and treated right. She is also responsible for the original art on the walls. Take the time to browse around the dining room and enjoy the original watercolors and acrylics that include local scenery and scenes from the southwest. There are also prints and cards. Maybe you'd like a T-shirt or hat designed by her as a souvenir. Enjoy your time at the Grill, hope we see you again soon.