Ida: Her Labor of Love by Carol McManus

Biography of a female homesteader in Eagle County in the 1800s written by her granddaughter.  Fascinating local history!

Ida witnessed the birth of mining in central Colorado, first at Leadville  and then in the small towns around Glenwood Springs--Eagle, Edwards, Red Cliff, and Grand Valley, just to name a few. She lived in everything from a hole in the ground to a nice home. She lived simply because she had to be able to transport everything she had in the bed of a single wagon.

She was a great example of strength and endurance. She experienced great pain as she constantly moved from place to place. She fulfilled the role of an ordinary woman of that time--a hard life as an obedient and submissive wife and mother. Step back in time and see what life was like for Ida.

Mentioned as one of the best 100 history books about Colorado from CU-Denver Professor Thomas J. Noel. Get the PDF of the list here.