Tales, Trails and Tommyknockers: Stories from Colorado’s Past

Tales, Trails and Tommyknockers is a beautifully illustrated collection of stories drawn from Colorado’s frontier history, folklore, and mining legends. Written for young readers but rich enough to appeal to adults, the book blends real historical figures with legendary characters that shaped the mythology of the American West.

Stories feature figures such as Kit Carson, Chief Ouray, Molly Brown, and Father Dyer, alongside classic mining lore like Tommyknockers—the friendly (and sometimes warning) spirits said to haunt Colorado’s gold mines. The Sangre de Cristo mountains, lost mines, rail tunnels, and early ski culture all play a role in bringing Colorado’s past to life.

Illustrated throughout by longtime Colorado artist Gene Coulter, this book is especially appealing to collectors of Western Americana, regional folklore, mining history, and vintage illustrated books.

Details

• Title: Tales, Trails and Tommyknockers: Stories from Colorado’s Past

• Author: Myriam Friggens

• Illustrator: Gene Coulter

• Publisher: Johnson Books

• Format: Softcover

• ISBN: 0-933472-01-3

• Audience Level: Intermediate / Juvenile (appeals to adults & collectors)

• Printed in: United States

Condition

• Very good vintage condition

• Light edge and corner wear

• Clean interior pages

• No writing or missing pages noted

Why It’s Special

• Regional Colorado history & folklore

• Mining legends and frontier storytelling

• Striking vintage cover art

• Great crossover book for families, educators, and collectors

• Harder to find in clean condition