Colorado Ghost – Annabelle Stark Also Known As Dirty Annie
This poem is an ode to Annabelle Stark also known as “Dirty Annie” of Saint Elmo, Colorado – Part of living in Colorado and exploring the Rocky Mountains are the old tales of yesteryear. Every Colorado small mountain town has its tales of broken hearts, lost gold and treasure, outlaws, miners, soiled doves and of course the – ghosts. I have always loved a good ghost story. Saint Elmo is a real ghost town on the east side of Tin Cup Pass that during the winter, it is not accessible due to heavy and deep snow. During the spring and summer it is much traveled for those that dare to 4-wheel over the rugged pass. During the autumn it is a must see for the autumn wonders of the leaves changing. If you live here and have ever made the trip you will know the story of “Dirty Annie”.
“Annabelle Stark”
She walks out of the shadows when the day turns dark,
Saint Elmo’s only full time resident is Annabelle Stark.
From the hotel window overlooking the Stark family store,
Watching the empty boardwalks of Saint Elmo once more.
She was born, raised, lived and breathed – this was her town,
Never thought of leaving even when the gold mines shut down.
When young Annie was beautiful, and the talk of the town,
Many years later she would have her mental breakdown.
“Dirty Annie” a nickname given as she grew older and aged,
Never bathing and tangled hair as mental illness raged.
Known to patrol the dusty streets with a pistol and shotgun,
Year in and year out as her afflicted mind became undone.
“Dirty Annie’s” hotel deteriorated as well as the family store,
Trash and sour smelling food tins began to pile up on the floor.
In the year of our Lord 1960 “Dirty Annie” fell ill and she died,
Some say at night in Saint Elmo that her ghost still resides.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2016
Kurt James 2nd novel “Rocky Mountain Retribution” now is available in print form or for Kindle on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Walmart and many other stores that carry the books you love to read.
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
- Riding the Timberline - May 26, 2025
- Digging up Dreams - September 16, 2024
- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
Oh my gosh! Dirty Annie sure refuses to leave. Great poem and lead in, Kurt. I love good ghost stories and this is really good.
Thank you Phyllis I value your thoughts a lot… I love the Rockies and the ghosts. My third novel is going to called “Rocky Mountain Ghost”…you might find it interesting….just finished chapter 14…
I love the mountains, your poem was great. We ride our Quads over Tincup pass to St Elmo. My daughter and I love Ghost Towns. We always want to take off and go find them. I would like to get your “Rocky Mountain Retribution.”
We love all the history about our mountains, the gold mines the outlaws. I grew up in Bear Valley. That is something about Dirty Annie, I would be awesome to see her. I also would like ” Rocky Mountain Ghost”
Thank you Cindy – and if you have been to St. Elmo you know the beauty of the country there. I have never taken quads over Tin Cup pass, but beat the crap out of my jeep going over…lol… I lived in Bear Valley before moving to Loveland a year and a half ago not far from the cemetery at Fort Logan. Rocky Mountain Ghost is a western about the Rocky Mountain frontier and the third book in my series – the first two are Rocky Mountain Reckoning and Rocky Mountain Retribution, both of which are available to purchase on Amazon.com…
I should add that all three books are stand alone books and enjoyable without having to read all three. The all have tie ins with each other, but a western story all by themselves.
For all of Kurt James novels, short stories, or poetry – https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1626353137&sr=8-3
Hi Kurt, I kind of feel sorry for Dirty Annie but I wouldn’t feel comfortable to visit this town if she’s still around. Good ghost story.
Ann