19th Century Washing Machines

19th Century Washing Machines

Laundry was a greater challenge– and more work– than most amateur historians comprehend. Even when methods gave way from a washboard to a washing machine, the amount of physical labor required was nothing simple. Manual washing machines didn’t become available until quite late in the frontier era– after the Transcontinental Railroad went through. The washing machine was first available to order through a catalog in the late 1880’s.

Colorado’s Mining History, and Prosperity’s Mail Order Brides

Colorado’s Mining History, and Prosperity’s Mail Order Brides

Colorado has a rich and varied mining history. The influx of miners contributed significantly to the settling of Colorado. Many different minerals and precious metals were mined from Colorado’s mountains. Leadville, Colorado, a real town rich with silver mining history, plays a minor role in my novel The Bride Lottery–the nearest town with a railway spur. This article covers the history of Colorado mining in a nutshell, showcasing the fact behind my fiction.