Haunted Breckenridge

by Gail Westwood

From the old gold mining towns of Summit County to today's skiing destinations in Breckenridge, eerie and true tales of life and loss in the Wild West abound. The spirit of mutilated miner William Goodwin is said to haunt Blue River, warning of the dangers lurking below. Some say that the ghost of the widow Sylvia, who died destitute and alone at a boarding house on Main Street, still haunts the building today. Coldblooded killer Dr. Condon took revenge on his stalker and killed the town's favorite barkeeper. Tour guide and author Gail Westwood explores the area's most haunted buildings and introduces the ghastly characters who seemingly never left.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal

112 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2015

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been visiting Breckenridge as a skiing tourist on and off for the last 20 years. My parents own a timeshare there, so, when I do go, it feels like a second home. In all the time I’ve gone there however, I’ve never given the rich mining history or Wild West origins of the town much thought.

That changed this year when my partner and I decided to explore the local area and attend one of Gail Westwood’s walking ghost tours. We also did her Voices from the Grave tour which focused more on the town’s history using residents’ graves in Valley Brook Cemetery as a starting point. Both tours were excellent and Gail was a wonderful host; very knowledgeable and full of stories of the town’s residents, both in the past and present. When she mentioned she had a book, I knew I had to buy it.

I’m delighted to report this book contains all the wonderful stories Gail told us on her tour, plus many she did not. ‘Haunted Breckenridge’ contains a lovely mix of real history mixed with the paranormal happenings reported by those that live there, and presents a completely different side of this tiny little ski resort town I’ve grown to love so much. It was also very vindicating to read that a restaurant I’d previously visited and gotten a weird eerie vibe from (called Mrs E and Me, now Twist) is indeed haunted by a woman named Mrs. Charles Hardy. Ha! I knew it!

As with any book about real-life ghost stories, one has to take what is written with a pinch of salt, but Gail’s writing is matter of fact, to the point, and rooted in real history so there’s still plenty to learn hidden among all the reports of paranormal happenings. This is definitely something to be enjoyed as a companion piece to the excellent ghost tour, but it’s also a lovely keepsake to have as a tourist with the intention to return. I look forward to exploring some of the buildings and museums described in here someday in the future.

Thank you also for signing my book, Gail!

[Lisa Kizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haunted stories? More like a gossip rag from the past. Not that the stories were not interesting it just felt like the author lost site of the 'haunted' part of the title. So for me it lost it's allure rather quickly.

[Emerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in breckenridge and have frequented these buildings a lot (except for the abandoned one or the one's closed to the public.) So reading about the history puts the ski town in a whole new perspective, from miners to even the early ski days. I like thinking about how different life was up here in the mountains before Vail Resorts took over. The life for miners and whores and ladies of society and children was so different, with so many diseases, and probably the same amount of drug/alcohol abuse going on. I never myself have seen a ghost, but i do believe others stories, so i'm looking forward to maybe meeting one someday. After reading this, i had a dream that i was moving into a new dorm and knew it was haunted. Now it was just a matter of figuring out the character of the ghost. Playful, mischievous, or mean? The story about the Historic Brown Hotel's former owner Gunther (the restaurant was under a different name) and of his personality change and suspected possession was very interesting! I will only know the truth when i meet a ghost!

[Lisa J Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in Breckenridge and I wanted to know more about the history of the community in which I reside. I chose to read it around Halloween, which was fun. I learned a lot and will pay closer attention to the buildings around town that I now know more about! Those who plan to visit Breckenridge might find it a great way to learn about the town as they walk around!

[Jewell Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, there are a lot of haunted places in Breckenridge. I didn't know the town started as a mining camp. I've only been to Breckenridge once, back in High School over 30 years ago, I'm sure it is much changed since then. Some very interesting stories to go with the hauntings.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good local lore. Some of the stories are more about tragic deaths than ghosts.

[Kailey Wicked]

I'm going to come back to this, it's just going by slowly with everything else I've gotten to read and projects.

[Alisha Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, interesting read. The first half of the book is more along the lines of haunted tellings. The second half, is more along the line of speculation & rumor. Very interesting regardless.

[Katie Brandl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like 10% haunting stories. 90% random history told in poor writing.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written a little disjointedly, but interesting because it's Breckenridge. Has a lot of historical information in it -makes me want to take the Breckenridge Ghost Tour!