This weekend we ventured into the mountains to check out some areas tied to Denver history (ie The Barney Ford House Museum in Breckenridge). Of course while in Breckenridge we needed to eat, so we decided to seek out a restaurant that might have some history behind it as well. This is how we got to Moe’s Original BBQ on South Ridge Street.

Now, before anyone chimes in with a comment about how Moe’s isn’t a local place, but a chain, keep in mind that we were looking for history in an old building, not an authentic mountain cuisine. I will give a shout out to to the jambalaya and succotash, though. Those were the sides to my brisket sandwich and I was very full and happy leaving that venue. But, enough on the food.

As we were leaving, we had to ask if anyone knew the history of this particular building and we hit the jackpot. This building was built in 1881 and has been a number of things besides a BBQ joint. It has been a hotel, a brothel, and was originally a weigh station for miners. In fact, they told us that this was the actually weigh station where the famous “Tom’s Baby” was brought to after being discovered at Farncomb Hill in 1887. For those that don’t know, Tom’s Baby is the largest gold nugget discovered in Colorado, weighing in at 136 troy ounces. It is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

The other story we loved hearing was how the workers think that the building is haunted. Apparently, late at night strange sounds have been heard and doors have been seen to move on their own. Luckily, this doesn’t happen during the day when patrons are trying to enjoy their BBQ. Those working in the building did say that they get a little creeped out when they have to work their at night.

While it may be a chain restaurant, we’re happy that we stumbled upon this great historical gem in the ski town of Breckenridge. We can now say that we’ve been to a haunted chain BBQ joint in the middle of the mountains. Where have you been?