Toms Baby

9-24-2025

Legends hold powerful allure.

The mystery of discovery always carries intrigue, especially when treasure lies at its heart. Stories like Toms Baby highlight how fact and myth intertwine over time, often blending truth with embellishment.

A town rose from gold.

In 1859, miners built a settlement south of South Park, Colorado. At 10,000 feet, this rugged region quickly became known for rich placer gold. Hoping to attract a post office, settlers named their new town Breckinridge after the 14th Vice President of the United States.

A discovery changed history.

On July 23, 1887, Tom Groves found what became known as Tom’s Baby, the largest gold nugget in Colorado history. Weighing 13.5 pounds, he proudly carried it wrapped in a blanket, showing it off like a newborn. The nugget soon left for Denver by train—and then mysteriously disappeared. Rumors filled the decades: For eighty-five years, speculation surrounded the missing gold. Many believed Tom’s Baby had landed in the Smithsonian or another prestigious museum. However, no credible source ever confirmed these claims, keeping the mystery alive.

The truth emerged slowly.

In 1972, the Colorado State Historical Museum examined gold specimens from a Denver bank vault. Among them was Tom’s Baby, but it was five pounds lighter than reported in 1887. The mystery deepened, leaving questions about the missing weight.

A treasure now protected.

Today, Toms Baby is safely displayed at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Visitors can view the 13-pound nugget behind bulletproof glass, monitored by multiple cameras. Security ensures no one repeats history’s vanishing act. Legends live through Tom’s Baby: The story of Tom’s Baby shows how gold, history, and myth merge into legend. Visitors to Denver can witness this piece of mining history firsthand, reminding us that even the most precious treasures can vanish and return.

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