West Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

A Priceless Gift

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

1. A Priceless Gift Marker

Inscription. In 1879, General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, convinced his friend, Charles Elliot Perkins to purchase land in Garden of the Gods. Perkins eventually bought a total of 480 spectacular acres surrounding the Gateway Rocks, paying $22.00 per acre.
Perkins, the president of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, lived in Iowa. He never built on his Colorado land but he generously allowed the public to enjoy his property. Perkins expressed his wish for the land to become a public park, but he died before arrangements could be made.

Perkins' children followed their father's wishes and offered the land to the City of Colorado Springs. In late 1909, the City Council accepted the land with the following restrictions:
◆ the Park shall be free of charge to visitors.
◆ the public Park will be forever known as Garden of the Gods.
◆ no intoxicating liquors may be manufactured or sold in the park.
◆ no buildings be erected, except those necessary to maintain the Park.

Now, Garden of the Gods Park is over 1,360 acres and provides a beautiful haven for both visitors and wildlife.

Erected by City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

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lists: Landmarks • Natural Features • Notable Places • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 38° 52.695′ N, 104° 52.852′ W. Marker is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is in West Colorado Springs. Marker can be reached from Garden Drive. Part of the Inner Loop Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colorado Springs CO 80904, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Time Frozen In Stone (a few steps from this marker); The Garden of the Gods (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Priceless Gift (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Garden of the Gods Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garden of the Gods Park (approx. half a mile away); Bloomer Girl; A Colorado Trailblazer (approx. half a mile away); Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site (approx. half a mile away); Indian Trail (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colorado Springs.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Garden of the Gods. (Submitted on June 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

A Priceless Gift Marker and a portion of Sentinel Rock. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

2. A Priceless Gift Marker and a portion of Sentinel Rock.

Charles Elliott Perkins (1840-1907) image. Click for full size.

Public domain

3. Charles Elliott Perkins (1840-1907)

Nearby dedication plaque of the gift to the city. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

4. Nearby dedication plaque of the gift to the city.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 311 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.