The King of Arcadia

The King of Arcadia, written by Francis Lynde in 1904, follows Breckenridge Ballard, a young engineer tasked with constructing a dam in Arcadia Park, Colorado. As he navigates the challenges of the project, he faces threats from both nature and human rivals, particularly Colonel Adam Craigmiles, the land's owner and self-proclaimed 'King of Arcadia.' The story intertwines themes of engineering, romance, and familial conflict, particularly through Ballard's relationship with Elsa Craigmiles, adding complexity to the rivalry with her father. The novel explores the dangers of ambition and love against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.