Books & Publications
All sales benefit the Society & Museum (a Non-profit 501C3)

Native American tribes once traversed the east-west anomaly of the Rocky Mountains known as the Palmer Divide as a passage between the high ranges and the Great Plains. Lying between Denver and Colorado Springs, and named for William Jackson Palmer, found of Colorado Springs, the offshoot range divides the great Platte and Arkansas River Systems. Settlers homesteaded, farmed and ranched the area. Railroad construction in the 1870s led to towns supporting commerce and tourism, particularly in the western section of the Palmer Divide, in what eventually became known as the Tri-Lakes Area. The area drew tourists who enjoyed hiking, wildflowers, and the outdoors, and facilitated such local industries as ice harvesting, lumber milling, ranching and potato farming. A vast area north of Colorado Springs, the Palmer Divide retains a picturesque rural nature and cohesive small-town feeling ---creating such social events as the Rocky Mountain Chautauqua and the Yule Log Festival, as well as the enduring Palmer Lake Star on Sundance Mountain.

The Palmer Lake Historical Society, founded in 1956, selected these vintage images from their archives and private collections to provide a rare look into the Palmer Divide's past through the 1930s.

The book authored by the volunteers at the PLHS captures the basic histories of Monument, Palmer Lake and the surrounding area with 127 pages of fully captioned photographs. The book will be available for mail order on the 7th of March. Follow the link to our book order form: book order form Copies may also be purchased at the L. Vaile Museum, at our monthly meetings or at local shops and bookstores

$21.99 order

This 138 page book tells the story of the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado, from before its beginning until about 1985. The author did extensive research, and her work is well documented with cross-references. The history of Palmer Lake closely parallels the early development of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and the Santa Fe Railroad and was tied to the rise and fall of railroad passenger service. The book is extensively illustrated with early photographs.

SOLD OUT -- New Revision Coming

Based on extensive new research, this book traces the life of Dr. W. F. Thompson [1840-1892].  Born in a small Ohio town, Thompson began a dental practice in Cincinnati in 1860.  Retiring early at the peak of a distinguished career, Thompson turned his energies to creating a world-class resort community in the Rocky Mountain West in the Town of Palmer Lake.  Little was known about Thompson's background and dental career before he arrived in Colorado in 1882.  This historical study rescues Thompson's life story from the mists of history into which it had vanished.  "Estemere" Thompson's magnificent Queen-Anne home is thought of as the crown jewel of Palmer Lake and is his most visible legacy.

$19.00 order

The author, Ms. Lavelett, was a native of the Town of Monument, and served as the official Town Historian. This newly revised history of the Town of Monument is well written in 168 pages of narrative, folklore, and priceless photographs. This fifth edition includes an index of over 550 entries, a timeline, new material and photos, and is professionally printed and bound. 5.5" W X 8.5" H. This is the definitive volume of the History of Monument, Colorado. © 2004

$12.00 order

This is the history of six settlements in northern El Paso County and southern Douglas County, Colorado, which now exist in memory only: Greenland, Spring Valley, Table Rock, Gwillimville, Pring and Husted. While remnants of cemeteries, churches, schools, homes and commercial buildings can still be found at the location of some of these communities, the U.S. Air Force Academy now occupies the sites of the latter two. In over 100 pages of narrative, photos and copies of legal documents, the author documents the lives and activities, hopes and aspirations of the pioneer families who settled these early communities.

$10.00 order

Thousands of years before Zebulon Pike's name became attached to this famous mountain, Pikes Peak was home to indigenous people.  These First Nations left no written record of their sojourn here, but they did leave stone circles, carefully crafted arrowheads and stone tools, enigmatic petroglyphs, and culturally scarred trees. The first western explorers wrote about these First Nations.  Comanche, Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Lakota made incursions into the region, harvested the bounty and contested Ute Nation land possession.  This book is a must, to glimpse the Indian era.

The author Celinda R. Kaelin is president of the Pikes Peak Historical  Society and has written and lectured on this subject for 13 years.

$21.99 order

This excellent book by Elizabeth Wallace includes not only Colorado Springs but also the surrounding towns and cities that make up the Pikes Peak region including Palmer Lake, Monument, and even Cripple Creek. The book is made up of over 200 historical photographs with captions, many of which have seldom been seen. This book is a marvelous photographic essay of the history of the region. A must have for your history library collection, in our opinion.

$21.99 order

Before being "discovered" by U.S. explorer Zebulon Pike in 1806, the Pikes Peak region was home to a variety of different cultures, including Native Americans, Mexicans, and French and Spanish explores. Captured here in almost 200 vintage images are the lives, trials, adventures, and leisure's of some of the Peak's early pioneers and visitors, covering a span of almost 60 years.

Along with the rare images of the Pikes Peak area from the late 1800s, this collection contains a number of previously unpublished photographs.

$21.99 order

During the gilded age of rail travel in the late 1800s, Colorado Springs became one of the primary portals of westward expansion and a hub for both passenger and freight traffic. Over the thousands of miles of tracks traveled merchants, industrialists, tourists, and fortune seekers, all bent on enjoying what Colorado had to offer either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Author and railroad historian Allan C. Lewis has assembled a fascinating assortment of vintage images, many never before published, to tell the unique tale of railroading in the Pike's Peak region.

$21.99 order

By 1900, the scenic beauty of the Pike's Peak region had become well known, making it a popular destination with visitors from across the nation. This influx of tourism along with the apex of the Cripple Creek Mining boom saw El Paso and Teller Counties become a hub of freight and passenger activity. Over the next 30 years and through challenging economic times, te area would be served by 11 different railroads and an interurban line.

The author has spent the last 30 years assembling an impressive library of railroad images. His collection serves as the foundation for this book.

$21.99 order

Estemere is the name of the historic landmark estate built in 1887 by Palmer Lake founder and first mayor Dr. William Finley Thompson. Dr. Thompson was one of Colorado's earliest commuters, traveling daily from his beautiful home in Palmer Lake to his dental practice in Denver on the D&RG railroad. Dr. Thompson fled bankruptcy around 1900 and this small booklet traces, in narrative and photographs, the history of this home for over a hundred years to its present owners.

$4.95 order

This booklet provides a walking or driving guide to over 40 historical homes and sites within the town of Palmer Lake, Colorado. A brief description of the historical significance of each location is provided. The Palmer Lake Historical Society has marked each site with a numbered wooden obelisk, which corresponds with the description in the pamphlet.

SOLD OUT! New Revision Coming

This illustrated one hundred and three page book details the life of General William J. Palmer. Palmer was a heroic visionary far ahead of his time. The General was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for action in the Civil War. He went on to found the Denver & Rio Grande railroad (D&RG,) and the City of Colorado Springs. This booklet is a must read in order to understand the area and the man and contains photographs not commonly seen.  The Now You Know Bio series is suitable for scholars both young and older.

$8.95 order

This 34 page book, written by Victor Vaile, details the life of our Museum and Library namesake, Miss Vaile. The life of the remarkable "renaissance" woman and that of the Vaile family is captured within the 34 pages of this booklet. Illustrated with photographs.

$4.00 order

Colorado, with an abundant variety of natural game, has logically been the birthplace of numerous game recipes. Early settlers and frontiersmen, of necessity, tended to cook game food simply. However, as sportsmen's tastes became more sophisticated, flair was added to their culinary art. This is a full service cookbook with photographs and illustrations to guide the user. From food preparation to stain removal, this book tells all.

$9.95 order

These wonderful story books, some taking place in the local area, tell delightful story "tails" of Jeremiah and his adventures. These are also coloring books for an interactive experience. The author, Grace Best was a beloved teacher in the Palmer Divide area. These stories are sure to please.

The Vaile Museum is proud to offer Jeremiah and Friends as companions to the Jeremiah Mouse book series. These handcrafted mice are unique and perfectly compliment any fine collection. We are the sole provider of these wonderful mice in the El Paso county area. A true bargain at $12.95 ea.

Click on the thumbnail pictures to see a larger image. Close the window to return to this page.

Book 1
Mouse on Elephant Rock

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 2
Jeremiah's Yule Log Mystery

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 3
The Mouse Parade

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 4
Mouse on Monument Lake

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 5
Cripple Creek Days with Jeremiah

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 6
Jeremiah With the Indians

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 7
The North Pole Mouse

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

Book 8
In Search of the Galloping Goose

Figure: $12.95
Book: $4.00 order

The mice in each story may be purchased from the museum gift shop as stock is available. Otherwise, we can take your special order and ship when received. The mice are handmade of premium felt, are hand stitched and include accessories as appropriate. A collector's delight. Contact the Vaile Museum Gift Shop for further information via email or snail mail at: The Vaile Museum, PO Box 662, Palmer Lake, CO 80133.

Jeremiah and Friends stand approximately four inches tall. These mice are all carefully crafted, are collectors' items, and should not be used or thought of as toys. Not recommended for use by children under the age of 8. Small pieces may come loose and pose a choking hazard.