Description
About the Author
Farwell, Nolan: - Nolan Farwell is the author of North Routt Revolution: Grit. Grief. Gold., a gripping exploration of ambition, hardship, and hidden history in the peaks of Northwest Colorado. Raised on a family farm in Northeast Kansas, Nolan developed an early appreciation for hard work, open spaces, and the stories buried in the land. Today, he works as a Financial Advisor in Waterloo, Iowa, where he helps clients navigate complex futures with the same methodical curiosity he brings to historical research.In his spare time, Nolan is drawn to the high country of Northwest Colorado, where a chance discovery in 2014 changed the course of his life. While exploring the area, he stumbled upon Farwell Mountain-a peak named for a distant ancestor-and embarked on a years-long journey into its past. His research, along with that of his brother Rodney, uncovered the remarkable story of John V. Farwell, a prominent Chicago merchant who, in the 1870s, spearheaded an ambitious effort to industrialize gold production in the region through innovative hydraulic placer mining. Along the way, Nolan and Rodney also brought to light the pivotal roles of figures such as Robert McIntosh and William Flick, among others, whose grit and ingenuity helped shape the North Routt mining frontier.The Farwell brothers have conducted exhaustive archival research, fieldwork, and advocacy to preserve this forgotten chapter of American history. Their efforts recently culminated in the successful nomination of the Farwell Ditch-a remarkable 17-mile-long water conveyance system (later extended to 18 miles) built to power John V. Farwell's mining operations-to the National Register of Historic Places.Through North Routt Revolution, Nolan Farwell brings to life a tale of visionary enterprise, human struggle, and the enduring legacy of those who chased gold in Colorado's rugged mountains.