Colorado

Name: Thornton
Brand: Tonja Dillon Castaneda
SKU: 9780738558950
Price: 17.49 USD
Availability: InStock

There is decidedly less pickaxe toting in contemporary Creede than when wild frontiersmen first flooded the gold mines in Colorado. But the pioneering exploits of Colorado history didn’t cease when modern comforts lined the shelves at Denver Dry Goods and luxury hotels opened shop in Durango. Just visit Fort Collins to observe the work of Temple Grandin or watch the laws of physics flex at Lowry Airforce Base. From pristine Rocky Mountain peaks to the deepest incursions of a coal cart, push the limits with our Colorado history books. [View all Colorado books]

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Thornton

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Denver's City Park and Whittier Neighborhoods

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Fountain

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Woodland Park

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Along the Huerfano River

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Ski Patrol in Colorado

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Around Granby

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Cripple Creek District:

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Sterling

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Plateau Valley

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Narrative of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842

$22.99 $16.09 Save 30%

Legendary Locals of Fort Collins

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Early Lakewood

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Beaver Creek

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Forgotten Colorado

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Mines of Clear Creek County

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Chronicles of Douglas County, Colorado

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Hidden History of Denver

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

A Brief History of South Denver & University Park

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Ghosts & Legends of Colorado’s Front Range

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A Brief History of Fairplay

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The Denver Beat Scene: The Mile-High Legacy of Kerouac, Cassady & Ginsberg

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North Fork Valley

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Brief History of Erie, Colorado, A

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Forgotten Heroes & Villains of Sand Creek

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Hammond's Candies

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Early Ascents on Pikes Peak

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Legendary Locals of Estes Park

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Kiowa County

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Montrose

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Thornton

9780738558950

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1953, developer Sam Hoffman set out to build modern brick homes in a brand-new neighborhood north of Denver. He envisioned a planned community with land reserved for schools, churches, and shopping centers. Many veterans of World War II, with their young families, moved into houses built by Hoffman's F&S Construction, and these new citizens formed the Thornton Community Association, which eventually led the effort to incorporate the city in 1956. The history of Eastlake, founded in 1905, is tied to that of Thornton, and it is therefore included in this volume as well. Eastlake retains its own identity even though it now lies within Thornton's boundaries, and both communities continue to see housing and population growth as new families move in seeking the same opportunities as those who first settled here.

Denver's City Park and Whittier Neighborhoods

9780738571911

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Denver was barely 10 years old in 1868 when visionary pioneers such as Alfred B. Case and Jacob W. Downing began amassing real estate holdings far from downtown, speculation that paid off when the newly arrived railroad led to a population explosion. With the opening of the Whittier School in 1883--the largest elementary school in the city--a domain for prairie dogs evolved into a middle-class haven of fine Victorian homes. Buffalo Bill Cody's sister even called the Whittier neighborhood home. The convenience and reliability of an expanding streetcar system brought the lifeblood of the city into the neighborhood. Whittier and its residents were also blessed with the establishment of a large, 320-acre park just to the east. This park, transformed from native prairie to irrigated forest, became one of the biggest attractions in Denver--City Park.

Fountain

9780738595030

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Historic Fountain lays nestled near the confluence of Fountain Creek and Jimmy Camp Creek. Ute Indians, French fur trappers, covered wagons, and stagecoaches all passed through this fertile valley along the Cherokee Trail until Amos Terrell settled here in the early 1860s, followed by farmers and ranchers. Businessmen soon began to buy town lots as Terrell sold off portions of his land. The railroad eventually pushed its way through town from Denver to Pueblo, while new arrivals of Mexican ancestry came up from the south with their strong work ethic and zesty Southwestern culture. Camp Carson became Fountain's neighbor to the west in 1942, and since then, the small town has seen steady growth as it remains an important hub in the Fountain Valley. Fountain was honored to be named "Millennium City" in 2000, as it represents the diverse character of the entire country.

Woodland Park

9780738580579

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Woodland Park, at an altitude of nearly 8,500 feet, is located 18 miles west of Colorado Springs along the north slope of Pikes Peak in eastern Teller County. Much of the history of the West passed through this area on the old Ute Trail--now Highway 24--as hunters, trappers, cowboys, Native Americans, settlers, miners, railroaders, ranchers, and tourists discovered an abundance of natural beauty and varied business opportunities through the years. Woodland Park is now home to about 8,000 year-round residents, many of whom treasure not only the spectacular scenery but also the rich past of the town. This evocative tour through that past shares vintage photographs collected by the Ute Pass Historical Society.

Along the Huerfano River

9781467117005

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Long before English speakers set eyes upon it, the volcanic plug on the south bank of the Huerfano River was tagged with a moniker that means "the orphan." Spanish conquistadors saw it as a rock pile that God dumped in the middle of nowhere, an odd little cone far removed from the regular foothills edging the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. In the 18th century, this outcropping and the river that bears the same name were famous landmarks for Native American tribes, Hispanic explorers, and French adventurers. Then in the 19th century, along came US mountain men, gold-seekers, cowboys, sheep ranchers, railroad workers, town developers, and coal miners from 31 different countries, speaking 27 different languages. Counterculture revolutionaries discovered the area in the 1960s and established five separate communes west of Walsenburg. Each wave of immigrants brought new perspectives and lifestyles.

Ski Patrol in Colorado

9781467102513

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The Army's 10th Mountain Division, developed during World War II for combat missions in the mountains of northern Italy, evolved into ski patrols as we know them today. Far-reaching and nuanced, the job of a ski patroller combines long days, physically demanding work in high alpine environments, and the ability to respond to complex medical emergencies. In Colorado, ski patrol has grown from a volunteer operation to a professional workforce--incorporating advancements in lifesaving techniques, avalanche forecasting, and specialized guest services. Relying heavily on their fellow patrollers, life-long friendships are forged on the mountain and often embellished in legendary tales--many of which are shared within.

Around Granby

9781467130455

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The area around Granby was developed in the late 1800s and today remains true to the "Spirit of the West." It once was the Utes' summer hunting ground and was shared by fur trappers and mountain men in the winters. Later, prospectors came to Lulu City and mined for gold while loggers and homesteaders built schools and churches, forming the towns of Monarch, Selak, and Coulter. In 1905, the Moffat Railroad created a new town, putting Granby on the map. Dependable railroad access allowed ranches and businesses to thrive. The Victory Highway offered motorcars a route through the Arapaho National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, bringing tourism to dude ranches, where guests wanted to be cowboys. After World War II, the completion of the massive Colorado-Big Thompson Water Project changed the landscape when Lake Granby buried ranches and the Lindbergh airstrip. Soon, locals discovered "white gold" when skiing and winter sports expanded the four-season, mountain-resort community.

Cripple Creek District:

9780738524139

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The Cripple Creek District, on the back of Pikes Peak in central Colorado, first found fame through Bob Womack, the cowboy who publicized his knowledge of gold in the high country and drew thousands to the area. Gold fever allowed the region to flourish, while strikes, fires, and economic hardships threatened the district's survival. The dwindling population's fortitude, plus innovative ideas to boost the economy, carried the city from a struggling gold-miners' paradise to a favored tourist spot.

Sterling

9780738581521

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The city of Sterling in northeast Colorado is at a crossroads of several trails historically and modern roads and highways today. The area was once inhabited by the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Crow, Blackfoot, Sioux, Kiowa, and Pawnee tribes. The earliest Europeans were fur trappers on their way to the Colorado Mountains. The Sterling area is also noted for one of the final battles of the Indian wars, the battle of Summit Springs, between Tall Bull's Cheyenne Dog Soldiers and Col. Eugene A. Carr and the U.S. Army, southeast of Sterling on July 11, 1869. Today the city of Sterling is the county seat for Logan County. It is located at the junction of the South Platte River, Interstate 76, and Highways 6, 14, 61, and 138. Its history as an agricultural community is still a vital part of the economy and culture. Many of the celebrations seen in this book are annual events today, including the county fair and Sugar Beet Days.

Plateau Valley

9781467115452

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Known to the Ute Indians as Thigunawat (Home of the Departed Spirits), the Grand Mesa has been a beacon for adventurous souls for hundreds of years. In 1776, the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition crossed through the area while searching for a route that would become the Old Spanish Trail. In 1881, with the removal of the Ute Indians to reservation lands, homesteaders arrived and began settling in Plateau Valley. Nestled along the Grand Mesa, the valley is home to the communities of Collbran, Plateau City, Mesa, and Molina. Many of the historic buildings are still in use, and the Community Church Building has been designated a historic landmark. Recreational opportunities abound, both within the valley and nearby on the Grand Mesa. Camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are among the favorites.

Narrative of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842

9781634990875

$22.99 $16.09 Save 30%

"John Charles Frémont--popularly known as "The Pathfinder" during his times--played a major role in opening up the American West to settlement by pioneers. His reliable accounts, including published maps, narrations, and scientific documentations of his expeditions, guided emigrants overland into the West starting in the mid-1840s.

Frémont was born illegitimate to a Québécois father and a Virginian mother. Through the lucky circumstance of obtaining highly influential patrons at his parents' adopted home city of Charleston, South Carolina, he was appointed second lieutenant in the United States Topographical Corps and quickly rose within its ranks. Through the influence of his father-in-law, Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri--the powerful chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs--he led his first expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1842. With his party of 25 men, including Kit Carson, he embarked from the Kansas River on June 15, 1842, followed the Platte River to the South Pass, and starting from Green River he explored the Wind River mountain range. He climbed a 13,745-foot mountain, Frémont's Peak, planted an American flag, and claimed the Rocky Mountains and the West for the United States.

His second expedition--the subject of a separate book--succeeded in charting all of the way to California, mapping and confirming the Oregon Trail as the route for pioneers heading toward the West."

Legendary Locals of Fort Collins

9781467100618

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Fort Collins began as a small Army outpost and grew into a community of more than 150,000, a city formed and developed by those who have chosen and today choose to live here. In this book, readers will encounter hardy pioneers who endured hardships almost unimaginable today and innovators who brought industry, commerce, and a college; generous people, businesses, and institutions who have freely given back to the community in a variety of ways; participants in Fort Collins's thriving cultural life embracing a spectrum of interests and enthusiasms; and ordinary people living everyday lives who have done extraordinary things or had remarkable experiences. This book honors individuals such as Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned expert on handling cattle and spokesperson for autistic people, and Tom Sutherland, freed from captivity in Iran after seven years, along with many other memorable people.

Early Lakewood

9780738574417

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Since Lakewood's settlement in the 1860s, it has been a community in search of an identity, fluctuating from farm center to factory town, from Denver streetcar suburb to the map's stopover point between the big city and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Once known for its fruit orchards and dairy and poultry farms, Lakewood in modern times has been home to the western third of the nation's longest commercial street, Colfax Avenue, and houses more federal agencies than any community outside of Washington, DC. Most of the buildings associated with Lakewood's agricultural and manufacturing past are gone, but the can-do spirit of the men and women who forged and fashioned the city's destiny as a microcosm of western American life from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries is recalled in these pages.

Beaver Creek

9781467131933

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Since 1883, Beaver Creek has attracted adventurous individuals. The allure of precious minerals brought miners to the valley, and many stayed after the illusion of striking it rich began to fade. Those folks homesteaded and farmed or ranched. Ranching flourished for a few families until the early 1970s. Two men credited with developing the Vail ski area set their sights on the Beaver Creek drainage for a new ski resort. Political battles over permits stretched from Denver to Washington, DC. In addition, environmental issues burgeoning in the early 1970s added another layer of complexity to the proposed ski area. Dark days were looming as interest rates hit 18 percent and a recession hit the national economy. A silver lining in all the turmoil at the fledgling resort occurred when former president Gerald R. Ford bought one of the first residential lots, making Beaver Creek his address. The original visionaries' goal to build a world-class resort was on its way to completion after years of challenges.

Forgotten Colorado

9781634993395

$23.99 $16.79 Save 30%

Forgotten Colorado: Southern Region brings to light one of the first areas in the state to be settled. Once home to a thriving coal and steel industry, Southern Colorado has successfully shifted gears over time toward being a dominant factor in farming and tourism.

This second installment of the Forgotten Colorado series will focus on historic, unique, abandoned, and must-see places throughout Southern Colorado. You will be exposed to thirteen distinct areas, and more than twenty-five different sites, that provide a glimpse into what life was like back in the day, and in some cases, how life continues today.

Forgotten Colorado: Southern Region will uncover and reveal the oldest church in Colorado; the 1914 massacre site and "death pit" related to American labor history; the tallest castle in the world built entirely by one individual; twelve-plus abandoned sites located on one lonely, 70-mile stretch of highway; the earliest known burial ground in Colorado; the gas chamber responsible for eight executions; the first school in Colorado; a mysterious house built on a bridge over a river; and much more. Get ready to see a side Colorado you've never seen before!

Mines of Clear Creek County

9781467130349

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In 1859, "Pikes Peak or bust!" spread across America and brought men and their families from all over to the Kansas goldfields seeking a new beginning. Thousands came to Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties and eventually settled all of Colorado. The mining communities of Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, Silver Plume, Dumont, and Lawson all exist because of the pursuit of gold and silver. Gold was initially easy to get to, but in time, underground mineral development was necessary. New technologies and the Industrial Revolution made mining easier, but there was still work to be done to establish local fire departments, churches, schools, and governments.

Chronicles of Douglas County, Colorado

9781626191792

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

It's hard to imagine that Douglas County's breathtaking vistas--now occupied by expanding suburbs and quiet, open spaces--were once the home to dinosaur herds and, later on, nomadic Indian tribes. The nation's second gold rush brought those seeking great fortunes to central Colorado, but it was the untapped potential of the area and a dream of taming the land that appealed most to early settlers of Douglas County. Pioneers like General Bela Hughes and John D. Perry (whose agreement led to the railroad connection across Kansas to Denver) and Martin Henry Goddard (who, along with his wife, Nellie, ran the Rhode Island Hotel) were among the first of many settlers to establish roots here. Join the Castle Rock Writers for a journey through the history of this land and the diverse legacy left behind by those who made it their home.

Hidden History of Denver

9781609493509

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When prospectors set up camp on Cherry Creek in 1858, Denver emerged as a lightning rod for the extraordinary. Time has washed away so many unusual stories--from the dark days of nineteenth century Law and Order League lynchings and the KKK's later rise and fall to the heroism of suffragettes and the touching plight of the gypsies. Elizabeth Wallace knocks the dust off these details and introduces readers to characters like world heavyweight boxing champion Charles L. "Sonny" Liston, hit-man turned rodeo promoter Leland Varain, aka "Diamond Jack," and the city's daring wall dogs, whose hand-painted building advertisements are fading reminders of a bygone Denver.

A Brief History of South Denver & University Park

9781609492335

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University Park was founded in the 1880s when the University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) moved from downtown Denver to land donated by potato farmer Rufus Clark. The University, founded by Methodists, wanted to escape the urban blight of the city and build an oasis for education. Liquor production or consumption was not allowed, and though today the area has many pubs a number of home mortgages to this day contain old covenants forbidding the making or selling of spirits. Around University Park grew the town of South Denver, which was annexed to the city of Denver in the early twentieth century. For many years in the late 1800s the primary employer was the University of Denver, but over time others moved into the area for its attractive homes and well respected schools. The area has traditionally been upper middle class and has enjoyed one of the lowest crime rates in the city. At the geographic center of University Park is Observatory Park, named for the famous Chamberlain Observatory, built in the 1890s and still fully operational with popular public viewing nights. In the early part of the century Colorado Governor Henry Buchtel lived in the park, as did a number of famed early DU faculty such as Ammi Hyde, who beat the freshman boys in an annual foot race well into his 90's. The area boomed after World War II as many from other parts of the country who were stationed in Colorado chose to remain and make it their home. The area has remained prosperous and continues to grow, sharing in the overall success that the Denver metro area has experienced.

Ghosts & Legends of Colorado’s Front Range

9781467140096

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Stunning natural wonders and bustling cities make Colorado's Front Range one of the country's best places to live, but its rowdy past left some residents unable to quit the state--even in death. Outside Fort Collins, many a startled visitor spies grisly shadows hanging from the notorious Hell Tree. A reputed murderer stalks the Greeley Courthouse near where he was lynched for his alleged crimes. The disembodied heads of two vengeful banditos float through the basement of the Capitol Building in Denver. And the Broadmoor Hotel of Colorado Springs plays nightly host to a mysterious phantom lady. Author Cindy Brick reveals these and more gripping tales of the Front Range's spectral history.

A Brief History of Fairplay

9781609499556

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Explore Fairplay from the beginning with local historian Linda Bjorklund as she traces the town's story through Spanish settlers, early American government, Union-Confederate tensions and modern development. Even though Fairplay's remarkable gold and silver boom was reduced to ash overnight in 1873, a strong community overcame history's challenges and preserved its treasures. From the popular annual Burro Days to the Way of Life Museum, Fairplay gives folks a chance to celebrate and relive its rich mining history through festivities and time-capsule buildings such as the general store, drugstore, bank, Summer Brewery and Summer Saloon.

The Denver Beat Scene: The Mile-High Legacy of Kerouac, Cassady & Ginsberg

9781626197794

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The Beat Generation descended on Denver with the same feverish intensity that rattled the caf's and art galleries of New York and San Francisco. Home to Neal Cassady and favorite stomping ground for both Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, the Mile-High City still pulses with the energy that made it a nerve center for cultural change and a sanctuary for the spoken word community. Author and Beat historian Zack Kopp pairs a narrative history of the movement with a stop-by-stop guide to its Denver landmarks and hot spots.

North Fork Valley

9780738595849

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Settlers came to the North Fork Valley after the Ute Indians departed from the area in September 1881. The fertile valley was surrounded by rugged mountains to the east, the majestic Grand Mesa to the north, the bleak "dobie" desert, and the meandering North Fork River. Arriving with just enough provisions to get by, the new settlers brought fruit trees, developed their water sources, and discovered coal, and soon, the arrival of the train made the possibilities of the valley a reality. Working together, the settlers founded the main communities of Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford. Today, coal is the number one industry, wineries are abundant, artists love to display their talents, and it is a great place to live.

Brief History of Erie, Colorado, A

9781467118118

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

From 1866 until 1979, Erie was one of the largest coal-producing towns in the nation. Numerous settlers contributed to building Old Town and making it one of the liveliest communities in northern Colorado. The Columbine Mine massacre in 1927 incited major changes to coal mining practices, inspiring unionization efforts nationally. The improved rights and working conditions that miners struggled to win benefit employees across America today. Emeritus Professor James B. Stull illuminates Erie's earliest pioneers, houses, schools and churches and the town's enduring evolution.

Forgotten Heroes & Villains of Sand Creek

9781596299436

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led a bloody and terrible raid on an encampment of Arapahos and Cheyennes who had come to the area believing they were on a path to peace. Before it was over, between 130 and 180 Native Americans had been massacred. This attack, known as the Sand Creek Massacre, is one of the most well-known and notorious events in Colorado's history. In Forgotten Heroes and Villains of Sand Creek, author Carol Turner turns an eye to the central characters, their histories and how they came to be part of this bloody episode. This fascinating look at such a pivotal event, its instigators and its martyrs includes the stories of John Chivington, an ambitious preacher with a streak of cruelty; Captain Silas Soule, a man who is still honored today by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes for his efforts in saving their ancestors; Ned Wynkoop, one of Soule's compatriots who had a change of heart regarding the tribes; Chief One Eye, a persuasive and charismatic medicine man; and many, many more.

Hammond's Candies

9781626197169

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

In 1920, Carl T. Hammond founded his company with a commitment to quality. He single-handedly developed recipes, sold candy and handled everything else required to run the small operation. Nearly a century after that humble beginning, Hammond's Candies still clings to that original vision, creating prized confections by hand. The Mitchell Sweet, first introduced in the 1930s, is still a top seller, and visitors touring the factory can view the original machinery being used in production. Author Corky Thompson traces the history and growth of this family-owned company from 1920 until its sale at the end of the twentieth century and follows its transition under new ownership to the present time.

Early Ascents on Pikes Peak

9781467118392

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Magnificent Pikes Peak rises dramatically from the Colorado prairie to a height of 14,114 feet above sea level. Visible for one hundred miles around, the granite giant's magnetic appeal compelled rugged mountaineers more than a century ago to risk loose saddles, electrical storms and even murder on treacherous expeditions to the summit. First known as Long Mountain by the Native Americans who sojourned at its hot springs, Pikes Peak was a full-fledged tourist destination by the 1870s. Eager men and women ventured up and down by foot, horse, burro, stagecoach, rail and bicycle. Colorado Mountain Club historian Woody Smith captures the news of the era to recount the thrill of pioneer days on America's most famous mountain.

Legendary Locals of Estes Park

9781467102308

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In the 1870s, ranchers Abner Sprague, William James, and Alexander MacGregor raised cattle while the Earl of Dunraven bought land for a private hunting reserve. It was neither cows nor hunting that defined Estes Park, though. Visitors were attracted to its beauty and crystalline mountain air. Inspired by conservationist John Muir, Enos Mills preserved the area's splendor by spearheading the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park while F.O. Stanley welcomed guests to his regal Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's novel The Shining. As cars replaced horses downtown, Charlie Eagle Plume entertained visitors with Indian dancing, and "Casey" Martin offered children rides on his Silver Streak train. In the off-season when tourists were scarce, grocer Ron Brodie extended credit to the locals, and George Hurt ran lifts for skiers at Hidden Valley. But it was adversity that tested the town and defined its character. After the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood inundated Elkhorn businesses, town officials revitalized the downtown landscape with urban renewal. When the devastating 2013 flood washed out mountain roads and isolated Estes Park, local businesses banded together and were "Mountain Strong."

Kiowa County

9780738580937

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Carved out of Bent County in 1889, Kiowa County is a rural, agricultural area with a rich and varied history. Located in southeastern Colorado in the heart of the Great Plains, Kiowa County was originally dominated by cattle ranches; however, farming quickly became just as important. The construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the late 1880s sparked the growth of towns in Kiowa County, bringing a variety of ambitious settlers facing many challenges. Confronted with a well-documented drought cycle in the semiarid climate, the settlers persevered to establish schools and businesses and to create homes. Although Kiowa County never became home to a booming metropolis as early residents dreamed, the county's citizens take pride in a rich history and strive to preserve it.

Montrose

9781467116374

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The narrow-gauge Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) Railroad, the first rail system to challenge and successfully conquer Colorado's Rocky Mountains, arrived in the Uncompahgre (un-cum-PAH-gray) Valley on the state's western slope in 1882. Montrose was established to supply mines in the mineral-rich San Juan Mountains and provide a freight transfer depot and a shipping point for gold and silver ore. The US government had forced the Ute Indians off their traditional lands the previous year and opened the area to settlement. Land was quickly claimed and cleared as the booming mining districts created a ready market for all agricultural produce. By the 1893 repeal of the Sherman Silver Act and the US economic decline, Montrose was well established, but continued growth revealed a serious need for supplemental water. Selected as an inaugural project by the newly created US Bureau of Reclamation, the resulting Gunnison Tunnel has provided water since 1909.