Cody Polston Books

Albuquerque's early lawless reputation rivaled that of Dodge City and Tombstone. Its red-light district was known as Hell's Half Acre. Brothel owner Lizzy McGrath once had a local church demolished to build her new bordello. Milt Yarberry, the town's first marshal, was hanged for murder. And the controversial Elfego Baca, who had the gall to face Pancho Villa, survived a thirty-six-hour gunfight unscathed. Author Cody Polston presents the tales of those who slipped through the cracks of morality.

Old Town Plaza has been the center of Albuquerque community life since the city was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez. Historically known as the crossroads of the Southwest, and reflecting an amalgamation of Spanish, Mexican and Native American cultures, Old Town Plaza has been home to many of New Mexico's proud ancestors--and still is. Ghosts of Old Town Albuquerque presents the evidence of their specters wandering the shadows, gathered by author Cody Polston, president of the Southwest Ghost Hunter's Association. Having tracked spirits for three decades, including in such landmarks as the Bottger Mansion and Casa de Ruiz, Polston vows that pragmatism still can't explain away many of Old Town Plaza's eerie wraiths.