Hidden History of Fort Collins

From its Wild West days to the early twentieth century, Fort Collins boasted its share of colorful characters. British import Edith Boothroyd saved a mare from meeting a tragic fate after the bridge she and the horse were traveling across unexpectedly collapsed. In 1915, barnstormer Billy Parker built his first biplane in a local field. Happy Jack slipped away from prison after slyly convincing the jailer to loosen his restraints. And Francis Carter-Cotton left investors holding the bag when he fled to Canada after racking up $300,000 in debt. Barbara Fleming divulges these entertaining stories and more.


About the Author
Barbara Fleming, a native of Fort Collins, Colorado, writes a weekly column on local history for the Fort Collins Coloradoan newspaper. She has always loved history, an interest she's been able to indulge after retirement. She is the author and coauthor of several local history books for Arcadia Publishing and one previous book for The History Press, along with a historical novel, Journeying, and a Donning Company publication, Fort Collins: A Pictorial History. She lives in Old Town Fort Collins with her cat, Shadow.