43. Death in the Rockies: Irish Silver Miners in Leadville, Colorado

Podcast: Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast · Fin Dwyer & Damian Shiels

Opublikowano: 2026-04-05

Today a little over 2,500 people live in Leadville, Colorado. But in the late 19th century tens of thousands of people flocked here, trying to eke out a living during the great silver mining boom. A huge number of those people were Irish. Nicknamed "Cloud City" because of its incredible altitude--over 10,000 feet up in the Rockies--there were few more difficult places to live. The harsh climate, shanty accommodation and terrible working conditions sent many to an early grave, with the least fortunate consigned to an unmarked pauper's burial ground. In this episode, Fin and Damian are joined by Professor Jim...