Leadville in Lake County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

10th Mountain Division

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

1. 10th Mountain Division Marker

Inscription. “Some had never seen snow. Most had never skied.
All served as though they knew nothing else.”
Camp Hale, 16 miles North of Leadville, was a U.S. Army facility constructed in 1942. It was the training ground for what became the 10th Mountain Division: an elite force of soldiers trained to fight in extreme alpine conditions during WWII — terrain similar to the highest city in North America: Leadville, Colorado 10,152'.

At its peak in 1944, Camp Hale housed nearly 15,000 troops. Although officially decommissioned at the conclusion of the war in 1945, the US. Army continued to train soldiers at the site until 1965 when it was fully deconstructed.

Camp Hale's namesake, General Irving Hale (1861-1930), was a graduate of Denver's East High in 1877, and a Brigadier General in the Spanish-American War. He is regarded as achieving the highest score from any of the United States Military Academies. Irving Hale is buried in Denver's Fairmount Cemetery.

Funded in part by the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, Inc. to honor all 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in action, Veterans, and the legacy they created.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location.

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39° 14.855′ N, 106° 17.477′ W. Marker is in Leadville, Colorado, in Lake County. It is on Harrison Avenue (U.S. 24) just north of East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker and mural are on the west side of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Harrison Avenue, Leadville CO 80461, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley,

in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: David May (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tabor Opera House (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Leadville, CO! / ¡Bienvenido a Leadville, CO! (about 600 feet away); Temple Israel: A Frontier Synagogue and Museum (about 800 feet away); Tabor Grand Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Annunciation Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Golden Burro Cafe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leadville City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leadville.

Also see . . .
1. 10th Mountain Division (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The 10th Light Division (Alpine) was constituted on 10 July 1943 and activated five days later at Camp Hale. It was the only division in the army equipped with vehicles specialized in snow operation, and winter weather gear, such as white camouflage and specifically designed skis. Its specialized training culminated with military
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

2. 10th Mountain Division Mural and Marker
The marker is near the bottom right corner of the mural.
maneuvers in the Colorado Rockies in Winter conditions. Beginning 26 March 1944, the exercises were intended to last five weeks. The soldiers endured an adverse environment, and "tactical conditions" that banned open fires in sub-zero temperatures. As a result, the exercises were ended after 3 weeks. Official statistics recorded 195 cases of frostbite and 340 other incapacitating injuries. The division sailed for the Italian front, arriving in Naples, Italy by 13 January 1945. By 20 January, all three of the 10th's regiments were on or near the front line between the Serchio Valley and Mt. Belvedere.

(Submitted on December 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Camp Hale (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Camp Hale was a U.S. Army training facility in the western United States, constructed in 1942 for what became the 10th Mountain Division. Located in central Colorado between Red Cliff and Leadville in the Eagle River Valley at an elevation of 9,238 feet. Soldiers were trained in mountain climbing, Alpine and Nordic skiing, cold-weather survival, and various weapons and ordnance. The creation of an elite ski corps was a national effort, with assistance from the National Association of Ski Patrol, local ski clubs, and Hollywood. Enough men were
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

3. 10th Mountain Division Mural
recruited to create three army regiments, which were deployed after training. Camp Hale was decommissioned in November 1945.

(Submitted on December 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. General Irving Hale (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Irving Hale was a U.S. Army Brigadier General who served in the Philippines during the Spanish American War and the early stages of the Philippine–American War. Born in New York, Hale was the son of Horace M. Hale, a teacher who later became the second president of the University of Colorado. Hale's family moved to Colorado in 1865. He graduated at the head of the first class from Denver East High School in 1877. He enrolled at West Point in July 1880 and graduated at the head of his class four years later. His final score was 2070.4 points out of a possible 2075, which is the highest-ever score from the military academy.

(Submitted on December 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.