Bookstore

The Old Colorado City Historical Society proudly offers a wide selection of history books ranging in variety from local history to greater Western history. We also carry some hard-to-find local history books.

These items represent the Society's desire to maintain the memory and history of early Colorado, El Paso County, the original Colorado City, and the Westside neighborhood of Colorado Springs.

Award Winning

In 2012 Old Colorado City Historical Society won the Carolyn Bancroft Award from the Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado) for publishing Geologic Folio, Red Rock Canyon Open Space by Ken Weissenburger, Sharon Milito and Don Ellis.

In 2017, OCCHS won the EXCELLENCE Award from the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs for publishing the Rankin Scott Kelly: First Sheriff of El Paso County by John Wesley Anderson

Published Books

As part of fulfilling our Mission Statement of preserving history, the Historical Society helps facilitate local Colorado history authors in publishing books pertaining to history of Colorado. Please note that some of these are now out-of-print but available in our research library.

Some of these books include:

Rankin Scott Kelly : First Sheriff of El Paso County by John Wesley Anderson

Remembering Westword : a compilation of 25 years of research regarding Colorado City done by members of our society (out of print)

My First Trip to Colorado by Jennie Lee Caduff - a look at early El Paso County at the turn of the century through the eyes of a visiting tourist (out of print)

Ute Indian Prayer Trees of the Pikes Peak Region by John Anderson - studies of culturally modified trees in the local area.

Books We Carry

A small selection of books we carry

Please check out our bookstore for a full inventory of around 100 Colorado history books!

Bars & Brass Rails; The Story of Ramona, Colorado

By David O. Swint Jr.

ONLY SOLD AT OCCHS

When saloon-town Colorado City voted to go dry, the saloonkeepers thought of a simple way to stay in business - start their own liquor town just outside of city limits.

Tunnel Tales of Old Colorado City

By Leo Knudson, Sharon Swint, and Suzanne Schorch

ONLY SOLD AT OCCHS

Written by OCCHS volunteers telling the truth, as far as know it, about the legends of tunnels beneath the streets of Old Colorado City. It turns out tales are sometimes true!

Colorado City History: Through the Eyes of the Iris

By Suzanne Schorsch

Colorado City only had a few newspapers through its history, and the Colorado City Iris was one of them. Discover the history of Colorado City as it was told Through the Eyes of the Iris.

Law and Disorder in Colorado City 1859-1917

By Barbara Barbaro

With saloons, brothels, and (illegal) gambling Colorado City was a bit rowdier than its neighbor Colorado Springs. Learn about the interesting lawmen who kept the city under control, and the crime they were up against.

Extraordinary Women of the Rocky Mountain West

By Various Authors

Featuring the story of Colorado City Madam Laura Bell.

Good Time Girls of Colorado

By Jan MacKell Collins

Featuring the story of Colorado City Madam Laura Bell.

Brothels, Bordellos, and Bad Girls

By Jan MacKell Collins

Featuring the history of Colorado City's red light district and many of its working ladies.

Memories of a Lifetime in the Pikes Peak Region

By Irving Howbert

Irving Howbert was a "Westsider" before Colorado City was west of anything except open prairie. He reminisces on his life and the history of our area from when he arrived here in 1860 until he decided to put it on paper in 1925.

Rankin Scott Kelly: First Sheriff El Paso County

By John Wesley Anderson

In and Around Old Colorado City: A Walking Tour Guide

By Cathleen M. Norman

Ghosts of Colorado Springs and Pike Peak

By Stephanie Waters

Featuring the story of David Reese, a Colorado City restaurant owner and boxer who brutally ended his wife's life, ghost stories of Fairview Cemetery, and other spooky stories in our area.

My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evens

By Tracey Beach

Exploring the Old North End Neighborhood of Colorado Springs

By Jennifer Windler Lovell & Robert D. Lovey