One of the first Colorado guidebooks was Crofutt's Grip-Sack Guide of Colorado published first in 1881 and revised in 1885. It described 527 Colorado cities, towns, stations, mining camps, etc. and how to reach them, including distances and fares, a list of all the post offices, current wages, where laborers were in demand. It also contained mention of ancient ruins, a glossary of mining terms, some opinionated chatter - "cooking in most of the towns and cities in the mountains, beyond the lines of the railways, is most infernal," - observations on stock and cattle raising, and ending with a classified business directory with 41 entries covering agricultural implements to watches. Interspersed with advertising and 77 illustrations such as "Out on vacation roughing it," "View near the Garden of the Gods," and containing, in color, Nell's New Topographical & Township Map (1880), (compiled from U.S. Government Surveys & other authentic sources), prepared expressly for Crofutt's Grip-Sack Guide of Colorado. The map was annotated to show Colorado and Denver railroad routes.

F781 .C95 1881

Archivist's Note: My research on the previous entry led me to tantalizing information that it was available on a compact disc.  No library had yet cataloged it – it wasn’t on Amazon – even AbeBooks didn’t list it.  I contacted the reviewer, Ed Quillen, and googled the compiler, but still no address.  Finally, in desperation, I called a randomly chosen Kiteley from the Longmont phone book – and tracked down the compiler, W. Michel Kiteley.  (4717 West 30th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80212 - $30)!  The image resolution is fabulous.  Quillen’s review in Colorado Central Magazine says “By putting this entertaining and informative old book on CD, Michel Kiteley has done a wonderful thing for all Colorado history buffs – making sure that Crofutt stays available.”  It’s worth it – Auraria’s copies are already being used.

F781 .C95 2006

Chartered in 1876, the Colorado Knights Templar hosted the national Grand Encampment in 1892. This guidebook contains photographs and descriptions of 26 Colorado towns from Aspen to Telluride (Denver is not included), 2 counties (Dolores and Gilpin), Marshall and Hagerman Passes, and The Loop above Georgetown. The guide indicates the fare and railroad line from Denver, as well each town's principal hotels. There are also photographs of the Committee members and the Denver Masonic Temple located at 16th and Welton.

F776.5 .C66 1892

Contains 30 scenic views in full color with descriptive text. David Moffat's plan was to build a long tunnel through the mountains. However, a lack of financing prevented this, and a temporary rail bed was laid over Rollins Pass. Known as the Moffat Road it ran 23 miles over the pass, with a 4% grade along many stretches, and was the highest railroad ever constructed in North America. A small rail stop called Corona was established at the top of the pass, with a restaurant and lodging. Although Moffat did not live to see his tunnel completed, his enterprise was continued under a different name, and Moffat Tunnel opened just south of the pass on February 26, 1928. The old rail bed is now part of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and is used by hikers and four-wheelers.

F782.R6 D48 1910

The title page vignette reads: "A description of its climate and of its mountains, rivers, forests and valleys; an account of its explorers; a review of its Indians - past and present; a survey of its industries, with some reference to what it offers of delight to the automobilist, traveler, sportsman and health seeker; together with a brief resume of its influence upon writers and artists, and a short account of its problems and how met, and of its inexhaustible resources and their development. With a map and fifty-four plates, of which six are in color." The guide, a volume in the Page Company's "See America First Series " contains an entire chapter on automobile roads in Colorado.

F776 .B14 1918

Although not technically a guidebook, this periodical is included here because of its unrestrained boosterism. Its first incarnation (1909-1912 - Denver Municipal Facts) was conceived and published by Mayor Robert Speer's administration in response to a series of newspaper exposes. Its stated purpose was "furnishing information concerning municipal affairs." The second incarnation (1912-1914) was titled The City of Denver. Revived in 1918 as Municipal Facts, during Speer's second term, it was edited by Edgar C. McMechen. It has a chatty editorial voice, still echoing the City Beautiful movement. From the beginning it was filled with fabulous photographic illustrations. The Sept.-Oct. 1921 issue (above) carries an article, "Denver's greatest manufacturing plant," by Arthur H. Carhart, Recreation Engineer, U.S. Forest Service, in which he discusses the mountain park idea and suggests a systematic plan for the manufacture of recreation as a commodity. The cover illustration shows Bear Creek in the mountain parks from an "aeroplane." Edith Sampson became the editor in 1925 and the tone changed slightly. Sampson's voice seemed less like a city government insider and more like a paid marketer. There were still pages of civic improvements, wonderful photographs, and every issue (except the very last which introduced new Mayor George D. Begole (1931)) printed the city government organization chart. Among the changes under Sampson were less emphasis on business and industry, and more on art and cultural activities, with some issues being designated as "travel" or "tourist" issues.

F784.D457 D4

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