Near Cañon City in Fremont County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

How the Bridge Became Royal

Come Across

— Royal Gorge Bridge & Park —

How the Bridge Became Royal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

1. How the Bridge Became Royal Marker

Inscription.
A Fitting Name
This amazing chasm was originally known as the "Grand Cañon of the Arkansas," which was sometimes confused with the "Grand Canyon of the Colorado." In the summer of 1874, Charles Savage, a famous railroad photographer from Utah, visited the canyon for the first time and exclaimed, "This is a Royal Gorge!" Henry Ripley, editor of the Cañon City Times, started using this distinct name in print.

Creative Thinking
What would you name this gorgeous place?
What's the first thing that comes to mind?
Come Across and let your mind wonder.

Erected by the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 38° 27.783′ N, 105° 19.367′ W. Marker is near Cañon City, Colorado, in Fremont County. It can be reached from County Road 3A 4½ miles south of U.S. 50 when traveling south. Royal Gorge Park is about 12 miles NNW of Cañon City. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4218 Co Rd 3A, Canon City CO 81212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Royal Gorge (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Gorge Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Zebulon Pike Block House (approx. 3.7 miles away); Colorado Territorial Prison (approx. 4.4 miles away); Canon City - Bustling Center for Trade, Transportation, and Tourism (approx. 4.6 miles away); Filmed in Cañon (approx. 4.6 miles away); Lt. Zebulon Pike's Southwestern Expedition (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cañon City.

Regarding How the Bridge Became Royal. In 1906 Guy U. Hardy, a local newspaper editor and future Congressman, lobbied to establish an 8-mile (13 km) park

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

2. How the Bridge Became Royal Marker

at Royal Gorge by having the land ceded to the City of Cañon City. Royal Gorge Park was then created.

Unlike other parks in Colorado, Royal Gorge Bridge is privately owned by Cañon City. The city was gifted the park by the federal government in 1906. The bridge was built in 1929 and stands high above the Arkansas River. While a private company operates the park, they give a percentage of the revenue back to Cañon City every year.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Royal Gorge. (Submitted on September 10, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Royal Gorge Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

3. The Royal Gorge Bridge

The Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023

4. The Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.