Jan MacKell Collins

Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum: Welcoming Strangers to Fort Smith, Arkansas Since 1898 c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins There was a time when the Fort Smith Times proclaimed, “In Fort Smith our slogan is down with the evil triplets; saloon, gambling, and prostitution.” That was back in …

I've been posting a lot about various brothel museums throughout the west on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JanMacKellCo... ). Here's one for you BlueSkyers!

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2026/03/03/m...

A Mysterious Duel, A Bloody Handkerchief, and the Death of A.J.L. Schlesinger in Colorado c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins It was no slouch job, being the private secretary of the founder of Colorado Springs. So when Alfred Julius Louis Schlesinger was commissioned to work under the employ…

Who killed Arthur Schlesinger in the mountains above Colorado Springs? janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/t...

Cripple Creek District: Last of Colorado’s Gold Booms: The Introduction c 2003, 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins The following excerpt is from Jan’s book, Cripple Creek District: Last of Colorado’s Gold Booms (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2003). A reminde…

Since I will soon have another new book out about Colorado's wild west history, here is a refresher on my first book on the subject. Enjoy. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/c...

My Love Affair with Lida Crumley Winchell, Explained c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins One of the reasons I so enjoy researching and writing about prostitutes of the past is the ladies themselves. When I write articles and books about them, I am often la…

Meet Lida Crumley Winchell, one of my favorite harlots in history. The article will tell you why. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/m...

Hagerman Pass, Colorado Makes An Easy and Beautiful Trek c 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins Portions of this article have appeared in Colorado Central Magazine. One of the great things about living in Colorado are the striking views. Indeed, the state offers …

For your Summer planner: Historic Hagerman Pass in Colorado offers an easy trek with amazing scenery.

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/h...

A match made in luxury: Cripple Creek’s Winfield Scott Stratton and Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel c 2014, 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins According to one legend Winfield Scott Stratton – the first and most famous millionaire of the Cripple Creek District – traveled to Denver during a p…

Meet Mr. Stratton, the man who bought Denver's Brown Palace Hotel so he, allegedly, could fire a cheeky employee. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/a...

Wicked Old Colorado City Ferocity and Revelry on the Frontier When Colorado Springs was founded next to the former territorial capital of Colorado City in 1871, the new town hoped that the old town would be absorbed or go awa...

Now available for pre-orders at this link: www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/wic...

Georgetown & Silver Plume, Colorado c 2014, 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins Georgetown (also once known as George’s Town), was called the “Silver Queen of the Rockies”. In about 1860, the fledgling mining camp was located next to another…

If you've ever watched Every Which Way But Loose starring Clint Eastwood, you need to visit Georgetown, Colorado. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/g...

Coming in April! Pre-orders now on Amazon, and go here to see my upcoming booksignings: www.janmackellcollins.com/upcoming-eve...

Trappers and Trail Blazers: Greenhorn, Colorado c 2014, 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins The area known as Greenhorn Valley, located about twenty five miles south of Pueblo, is rich in history. Those familiar to the valley will recognize the towns of…

Greenhorn, Colorado has some mighty important history behind it. Here is the story: janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/g...

Crystal, Colorado: An Iconic Mill and an Iconic City c 2026 by Jan MacKell Collins If you ever go to Crystal City, Colorado, the one misnomer is the claim that this semi-ghost town can be reached by “conventional car.” That may be true, but be aware …

Read up here about one of my favorite ghost towns in Colorado! janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2026/01/09/c...

From Gold and Tungsten to Rock and Roll: Nederland, Colorado c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins Throughout its early life, Nederland Colorado was closely associated with Caribou, a Dutch gold mining community that was platted near Boulder in 1870. In about 1872, …

A bit of rock and roll history for you. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/f...

Black Hawk Sports Early Colorado History Copyright 2014, 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins.  Black Hawk has been called the “Mill City of the Rockies,” earning its nickname from an early mill. The Black Hawk Quartz Mill was built in 1860 by a c…

From old to new to old again. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/b...

Spirits, Specters and Spooks: They Aren’t Just for Halloween May the spirits be with you…

Up for another ghost story? Here ya go. Enjoy! janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2024/10/02/s...

The Ghost of Lizzie Greer c 2018 by Jan MacKell Collins It was a rather eerie night on the streets of Denver, Colorado. The type of night when the few lit windows along dark alleys cast eerie shadows along narrow paths and …

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/t...

Lost in Life, Overshadowed in Death by Bob Ford: The Story of “Creede Lily” c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins Scads of annals have been written about Bob Ford, “the little dirty coward who shot Mr. Howard.” Books, papers, articles, and notes by the thousands have been recorded…

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2025/10/22/l...

Arequa Gulch, Bob Womack, Uncle Ben Requa, Ferdinand Hayden and William Henry Jackson: The Story of a Long Gone Town in Colorado c 2014, 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins Portions of this article first appeared in Jan’s article for the Colorado Gambler magazine. Drive over Highway 67 between Cripple Creek and Victor today an…

Ever heard of Arequa, Colorado? Well now you have: janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/a...

Glen Eyrie | 1878 | Exterior view of Gen. Palmer's three-story residence near Manitou Springs with gabled roof, dormer, bay window, and Garden of the Gods formations in background.

Glen Eyrie | 1878 | Exterior view of Gen. Palmer's three-story residence near Manitou Springs with gabled roof, dormer, bay window, and Garden of the Gods formations in background.

Winfield Scott Stratton, Colorado’s Mystifying Millionaire How miserable to be a millionaire…

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2023/03/21/w...

We are setting up our booth at #WHA2025 and we can't wait to hob nob with you! Come visit UNM Press in Booth 2. While supplies last, we are giving away copies of Jack Rittenhouse's Guide Book to Highway 66! Acquisitions Editor Sonia Dickey is at the conference, with Call for Proposals information for two of our series: The West in Context and the New Century Gardens and Landscapes of the American Southwest. Welcome to Albuquerque, Western History Association!

We are setting up at #WHA2025 -- Acquisitions Editor Sonia Dickey is at the conference, with Call for Proposals information for two of our series: The West in Context and the New Century Gardens and Landscapes of the American Southwest.

The early-bird deadline for our "Reimagining the Historic House Museum" workshop in Charleston, South Carolina on November 14 is Friday! Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/yc76xr6u.

Aspen Church | 1912 January 2 | Woman in dark winter coat, muff and hat stands in front of First Presbyterian Church (later Aspen Community Church) in Aspen. Snow covers the ground. Creative Commons License. Some rights reserved. Attribution, Non-commercial, No Derivatives.

Aspen Church | 1912 January 2 | Woman in dark winter coat, muff and hat stands in front of First Presbyterian Church (later Aspen Community Church) in Aspen. Snow covers the ground.

Creative Commons License. Some rights reserved. Attribution, Non-commercial, No Derivatives.

A Mysterious Duel, A Bloody Handkerchief, and the Death of A.J.L. Schlesinger in Colorado c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins   It was no slouch job, being private secretary to the founder of Colorado Springs. So when Alfred Julius Louis Schlesinger was commissioned to work under the employ o…

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/t...

Thank you!

The Adventures of Captain Jack: A whimsical little woman combined her own stories with her vivid imagination to create a colorful life in Colorado. c 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins Portions of this article were originally published in All About History magazine. “I was born November 4, 1842, in New Lantern, Nottingham, England.” So begins a seemi…

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2020/08/05/t...

The Utes of Ute Pass, El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado c 2014, 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins For decades, Hollywood had movie fans believing all “Indians” were evil savages who spent most of their time running around killing whites and commit…

janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/t...

Bob Ford Thrown Out of Cripple Creek, Colorado! c 2014, 2025 by Jan MacKell Collins Portions of this article come from Jan’s books, Cripple Creek District: Last of Colorado’s Gold Booms and Wicked Cripple Creek District. And updated …

The killer of Jesse James, Bob Ford, was thrown out of a lot of places - including Cripple Creek, Colorado. janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/b...

Have you heard the stories that the London Mill is haunted by a little girl who sings and claps her hands around dusk? I swear I heard her one day!

Luthier Shop | Interior of violin repair shop in Denver showing violins, cellos, a balalaika, a clock, and a craftsman at work.

Luthier Shop | Interior of violin repair shop in Denver showing violins, cellos, a balalaika, a clock, and a craftsman at work.

Hotel del Monte | 1941 | View of the Hotel del Monte in American City, Gilpin County. Sign on log building reads "Hotel del Monte." A railing falls onto foundation stones.

Hotel del Monte | 1941 | View of the Hotel del Monte in American City, Gilpin County. Sign on log building reads "Hotel del Monte." A railing falls onto foundation stones.