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

Palmer Hall

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2024

1. Palmer Hall Marker

Inscription. The completion of Palmer Hall in 1904 marked the crowning achievement of President William F. Slocum's 1888-1917 construction-filled tenure and provided the campus with one of its best-loved landmarks. Boston architectural firm Andrews, Jacques, and Rantoul designed the Romanesque Revival-style building utilizing beautiful "peachblow" sandstone from a quarry on the Frying Pan River in Pitkin County, Colorado.

The building's name honors General William Jackson Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs, Civil War veteran, president of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, and longtime friend of the college. Palmer is the likely donor of a $100,000 anonymous gift made with the stipulation that the building be placed here, effectively blocking a planned streetcar line that would have bisected the campus. Inside is a 1928 bas relief plaque by Evelyn Beatrice Longman depicting the seated Palmer with one of his dogs. Students traditionally rub the dog's nose for luck before exams.

Palmer Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 38° 50.922′ N,

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104° 49.359′ W. Marker is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from North Cascade Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Location of the is at Palmer Hall on the campus of Colorado College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 N Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs CO 80903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: tavachi : sun (within shouting distance of this marker); Shove Memorial Chapel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles Leaming Tutt Jr. (about 400 feet away); Arthur House (about 500 feet away); Lennox House (about 600 feet away); Jackson House (about 600 feet away); Cutler Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Montgomery Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colorado Springs.

More about this marker. Marker is to the right of the

National Register of Historic Places plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2024

2. National Register of Historic Places plaque

front entrance of Palmer Hall. The building is at the center of the block encompassed by North Cascade Ave. to the west, Unitah St. to the north, North Nevada Ave., to the east, and East Cache La Poudre St. to the South.

Regarding Palmer Hall. National Register Statement of Significance Excerpt:

Palmer Hall is significant as one of the important buildings on the Colorado College campus symbolizing the founding of the college and its early development and as the finest remaining example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Colorado Springs. The building, designed by the nationally recognized architectural firm of Andrews, Jacques, and Rantoul of Boston in 1901, is the only survivor of four similarly designed buildings originally on the campus.

Palmer Hall, named in honor of General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, was sited on the campus to specifically block the northward extension of Tejon
Street and the street car line. Thus the building reflects the influence of the college
on the growth of Colorado Springs.

Also see . . . Palmer Hall National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on July 19, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Palmer Hall Marker in foreground of main entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2024

3. Palmer Hall Marker in foreground of main entrance

National Register of Historic Places plaque at the far left arch.

Palmer Hall cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2024

4. Palmer Hall cornerstone

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2024

5. Palmer Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.