Books and Maps I would recommend for the Loyal visitors to the site,
Disclaimer – I do not profit from any of the recommendations list here.
I know some of you are always looking for good reference books to help in your search for Colorado Ghost towns or perhaps just some old west reading.
These by far are the most recent and best documented guides to Colorado Ghost Towns. A must buy for the serious Colorado Ghost Towner. A series of books by Kenneth Jessen.
My Personal favorites
“A Fair Distance” or “Lois Boblett’s Western Memoir, 1844-1922.” Also check out their new Ghost town books and calendar for 2010. What is so special – Not only do you get a look at some real pioneers but the book ties in historical events and how those events influenced these pioneers.
In her memoir spanning more than seven decades, Lois Whitcomb Boblett (1844-1925) writes of the day-to-day struggle to settle the West. Lois and her family homesteaded in Iowa and Nebraska, prospected for gold in Colorado’s Pike’s Peak Rush, contributed to the formation of the New Mexico Territory during the Civil War, ranched on the edge of the Arizona frontier, traveled through California, homesteaded in Washington Territory, searched for silver in Idaho, and stampeded to the Klondike.
Lois and Ed Boblett returned to Whatcom County, Washington, where their impact is still recognized today.
Order A Fair Distance, Lois Boblett’s Western Memoir, 1851-1922, by L. Darlene Spargo
A complete life of Soapy Smith by his great Grandson –Jefferson Randolph Smith II – http://www.soapysmith.net/id50.html
For those of you that are not aware John K. Aldrich did much research on the state of Colorado and then in the early 1980’s he published a series of books covering the state. A total of 15 books and a topo map for each one. I have spoken to John on several occasions and I have used his books for reference for 20 years. He did a great job. To see the books come back to print is a great thing. Mine are getting pretty tattered. For all of you interested in Ghost Towns and especially Colorado Ghost towns these are must get books.
May 2009 – Some sad news.
Aldrich, John Kenneth 63, died May 3, 2009. He was born in Hollywood, CA, the son of John Hudson Aldrich and Vera Evelyn Crittendon. An Eagle Scout, John grew up loving the ocean and the cliffs along the California Coast. He graduated from CU Santa Barbara with a Master’s Degree in Geology. He began his career in Denver as a geophysicist. His career took him to all oil producing states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Kenya, and Seychelles. In 1983, John and his wife purchased Centennial Graphics in Denver. He turned his interest in old mining towns into a second career. He wrote and photographed material for 15 books on Colorado ‘Ghost Towns, published by Centennial Graphics. John was a voracious reader. He was knowledgeable on many subjects. He traveled the world extensively following his retirement. He enjoyed sailing Lake Meredith and to Catalina Island. He toured all of the California Missions. He loved his mountain cabin, The Barcoe, near Fairplay, CO. He took particular interest in the Bigfoot sightings in that area. A memorial service will be held there in June. He is survived by a daughter, Cindy Servais, a son, John Aldrich, both of Tulsa, two step-sons Jeff Cline and wife, Joanna, and Greg Cline and wife, Sharon, of Denver, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Donations may be made to the Arapahoe County Humane Society