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Colorado Springs — A Pictorial Essay
by Barbara Petty
March 2009
Our travel story this month is a slightly different format: A brief history of Colorado Springs is flanked by photographs. As Rod Stewart says, "Every picture tells a story."
Balanced Rock is one of the most photographed images at the Garden of the Gods Park.
Photo: Barbara Petty.
Two people were extremely helpful in gathering information and photos for this story:
Chelsy Offutt, Manager of Public Relations with the "Experience Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau" (719.685.7639, experiencecoloradosprings.com).
Allison Scott, Director of Communications, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs (broadmoor.com, Reservations, 866.837.9520). There are other places to stay in Colorado Springs, but why would you?
A Brief History
The Pikes Peak region’s first inhabitants were American Indian people. The Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other tribes gathered at the base of Pikes Peak, in what is now called Garden of the Gods Park. The Ute name for Pikes Peak, Ta-Wa-Ah-Gath, translates to "Sun Mountain Sitting Big", for the way its slopes collect and reflect the sun’s rays.
The Pikes Peak region lies along the extreme southwestern edge of what was the Louisiana Territory, which was purchased by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803.
The end of the Cog Railway on top of Pikes Peak.
Photo: bgautreau, flickr.com.
In November 1806, American explorer Zebulon Montgomery Pike traveled through the area and is credited for "discovering" Pikes Peak, though he named the impressive landmark Grand Peak. He and his group attempted to reach the summit in November but they were neither dressed nor equipped to climb the mountain that ultimately came to bear his name.
In 1859, the discovery of gold 60 miles to the West resulted in the "Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush." Over 100,000 people flocked to the area in search of riches. That same year, Colorado City became the first settlement in the Pikes Peak region. It was for a short time the territorial capital and served as a supply camp for miners traveling up Ute Pass and into the mountains.
In 1869, General William Jackson Palmer, a Civil War hero from Pennsylvania, first came to the area and described its "most enticing scenery." One year later, he founded the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and purchased land to create Colorado Springs along its route. His plans for the city included broad, tree-lined streets, and he donated land for parks, schools and churches. In 1871, the Victorian spa resort town Palmer envisioned became a reality.
A view of Pikes Peak and a stand of Aspen tress in the fall.
Photo: Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The sunny conditions and dry, mild climate of Colorado Springs and the natural spring waters of Manitou Springs made these communities popular for people suffering from poor health, especially tuberculosis.
In the 1890s, gold was discovered on the western slope of Pikes Peak, one of the richest gold strikes in American history. Almost overnight, the Cripple Creek Mining District grew to more than 50,000 people. By the turn of the 19th century, Colorado Springs was called "the city of millionaires." One of these millionaires was Spencer Penrose. He used his vast resources to build the Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain Highways and to establish the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Will Rogers Shrine and The Broadmoor Hotel.
At the turn of the century, inspired by a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates penned what has become our country’s most famous poem and song, "America the Beautiful."
In the 1940s, the U.S. Army opened Camp Carson, marking the beginning of what is now a strong military presence in this region. In 1954, the Air Force broke ground for the United States Air Force Academy to continue this military tradition. Today, Colorado Springs is home to major military installations including Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, the U.S. Space Command, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), Shriever Air Force Base and the United States Air Force Academy.
Reprinted from The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site: experiencecoloradosprings.com
Landmarks & Legacies
Following is a list of must-see destinations in Colorado Springs:
Places to Eat (recommended by family —two brothers that have lived in the Springs for years…)
A view of THE BROADMOOR grounds.
Photo: broadmoor.com
The BroAdmoor (1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, 719.634.7711) — 18 different places to eat from The Golf Club Grille to the Five Star Penrose Room.
Amanda’s Fonda (3625 W. Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, 719.227.1975) Authentic Mexican food prepared by fifth-generation chefs; ask for a table outside if it’s not too cold.
Thai Basil (7882 N. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, 719.268.1688) A chain restaurant, but prepared like a boutique eating establishment — yummy!
Luigi’s (947 South Tejon, Colorado Springs, 719.632.7339) Family-owned and operated, nothing pretentious, just delicious Italian food served in generous portions.
Meadow Muffins Sports Grill & Saloon (2432 W. Colorado Ave, Old Colorado City, 719.633.0583) Home of the Idle Hour Theatre and the Waycott Opera House built in the late 1800s. Typical sports bar food, but the building and artifacts are worth a visit.
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