True ghost stories: Penrose library give free tour into creepy past of Pikes Peak Region

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Local historians and archivists with the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will lead the annual "Spooky Stacks" tour, highlighting local legends about famous deaths and mysteries from the region's past.

"My favorite part is when folks come in who have never been here before, had no idea we had such amazing collections, great stories from our history, that's just a really great light bulb moment, that's why we do it," PPLD photo archivist Erinn Barnes said.

The free tours are on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 27 and 28), starting at 5:30 p.m. The last tour on both days is 6:30 p.m. The tour will focus on the lives of real people involved in three tragic events in the region: The Antlers Hotel fire of 1898, the devastating Fountain Creek flood of 1935, and the region's history with tuberculosis.

Barnes and other PPLD employees will dress up as spirits and shepherd participants through the stories from their perspective. They will decorate the space and dim the lights. The tour also gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at the operations in the library. Anyone under 18 must have an adult with them.

The tours are free and first-come, first-served. No reservation needed. Just show up!