Next month, for three consecutive weekends beginning Oct. 3, the Linwood Cemetery above Glenwood Springs will again bring history to life for the Glenwood Springs Historical Society’s 25th anniversary of its Ghost Walk tradition. For the second year in a row, there will be a one-night showcase at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue as well, Oct. 29. This is the biggest annual fundraiser for the historical society with proceeds benefiting current programming, future expansions in programming and upkeep at the museum.
John Goss, owner of (and recurring performer at) the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, said he looks forward to this year’s in-town performance in his space. In addition to making the tour accessible to people who can not physically walk to and around the cemetery, the ambiance places extra emphasis on the actors portraying historical figures.
“When there’s complete focus on the people on the stage, when you light somebody up, when you’re in the dark, it’s just amazing how it creates so much more focus and entertainment and such a better performance from the people doing their reading,” Goss said. “It brings in an audience who is there to listen to some wonderful stories and historical information around the area, and a surprising number of people are really into that.”
Glenwood Springs Historical Society Executive Director Mark Jensen, who joined the staff this year, looks forward to educating locals and visitors alike with this event.
“Ghost Walk brings people here,” he stated. “It appeals to a broader audience and shows how many people in Colorado connect with the history of the mountain towns. Keeping this event going is part of the historical society’s efforts to continue visibility in the community. We’re hoping sales from this year will help us expand into other things, such as more tour opportunities around town, hosting additional events and possibly hiring more staff.”
According to Clara Miller, the event coordinator, audiences can expect immersive stories about some of the most well-known historical figures of Glenwood Springs. These include John Henry “Doc” Holliday, Dollie Barlow Landis Barnes, F. Hervey Lyle, Jasper Ward and several others, with some spots still open for any hopeful actors.
“We are always still looking because things change with the event regularly,” Miller explained. “We always want more actors as well, because most people have their one story and they stick to it. So to be able to bring in more and new people allows us to bring in some stories that haven’t been heard for years, especially when it comes to men.”
Miller has been involved with this event and the historical society since she was in High School. She shared a bit about her love for the story of Dollie Barlow Landis Barnes, a woman who lived a colorful life in Glenwood Springs before running off to join the circus.
“I love Dollie’s story. She was married to this businessman and they were doing pretty well. He then passed away and she was raising her son, and she quite literally ran away and joined the circus. Like, very literally, she ran away and joined the circus. She left her son, Harry, who is thought to be the first white child born in this valley, here with her parents and went off with Al Barnes. He wasn’t faithful to her, so she actually was successful in getting a divorce from him at that time, which was pretty amazing,” Miller recounted.
For more stories like that of Dollie Barlow, grab tickets for a cemetery tour or the indoor production at www.glenwoodhistory.org/ghostwalk