Abbott Fay
6 books in the catalogue, published 1997 to 2005.
Abbott Fay was a Colorado history teacher who spent his later career writing for general readers about the state's forgotten episodes, its Western Slope, its skiing and its wine. Western Reflections Publishing carries six of his books, published between 1997 and 2005. One of our book descriptions calls him Western Reflections' best selling author, and another credits him with hundreds of articles.
About Abbott Fay
Abbott Eastman Fay was born on July 19, 1926, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and earned his bachelor's degree at Colorado State College in Greeley, now the University of Northern Colorado. He taught and served as a principal in the Leadville public schools from 1952 to 1954. He then taught at Mesa College in Grand Junction until 1964.
From 1964 to 1982 he taught at Western State College in Gunnison and retired as associate professor emeritus. He kept teaching afterward as an adjunct for Western State and other regional colleges, and our book descriptions mention him as a speaker and tour guide as well. Open Library lists a history of Western State College from 1968, Ski Tracks in the Rockies from 1984 and Famous Coloradans from 1990 among his nine works. He died on March 12, 2009, after a brief illness.
Books
I Never Knew That About Colorado
A collection of little-known Colorado stories, with episodes such as Mark Twain and Denver Censorship and The Man Who Wore Out His Coffin. It is illustrated, covers the whole state, and Open Library dates it 1997.
Beyond the Great Divide
Gathers 101 stories of people and places from Colorado's early days, aimed at the Western Slope, the part of the state beyond the Continental Divide from Denver and the Front Range.
Grand Mesa Country
Fay writes about his own corner of the state in this 2005 edition, with stories from Mesa and Delta counties, the town of Grand Junction, and Grand Mesa, which our description calls the largest mesa in the United States.
A History of Skiing in Colorado
A revised history of Colorado skiing, based on his earlier Ski Tracks, with added photographs and new information. A reviewer notes twelve themed chapters and about thirty pages of appendices.
More That I Never Knew About Colorado
The follow-up to his first collection of forgotten lore, listed on Open Library as 2000. Our record says little about its contents, so what we can promise is more of the same nonfiction curiosity about the state.
The Story of Colorado Wines
A 2002 guide that gives a short history of winemaking in Colorado and then profiles each retail winery and vineyard, with directions and details such as tasting rooms.
What the books share
Fay's books share a plain interest in Colorado as a place with a past worth retelling. Two of ours collect forgotten Colorado lore, one gathers 101 stories with a focus on the Western Slope, and another covers the Grand Mesa country around Grand Junction. His skiing history follows a sport across a century, and his wine book describes the state's vineyards and wineries. The common thread is Colorado itself: its people, towns, mountains and odd facts, told in an easygoing, readable way for visitors and residents alike.
The subjects this author is catalogued under. Open Library record.
Good to know
How many Abbott Fay books does Western Reflections publish?
Was Abbott Fay a professor?
Did he write anything before these books?
Did he write about places other than Colorado?
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