Westcliffe in Custer County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Spirit of '76 Century Time Capsule
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025
1. The Spirit of '76 Century Time Capsule Marker
2076
Sealed during the celebration of
United States Bicentennial
and Colorado Centennial
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of 76, Americas Bicentennial Celebration, and the Time Capsules series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 38° 7.964′ N, 105° 27.989′ W. Marker is in Westcliffe, Colorado, in Custer County. It is on 4th Street just north of Powell Avenue, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted on the east/front facade of the historic Westcliff Schoolhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 4th Street, Westcliffe CO 81252, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 Comancherνa and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker,
this page online
Also see . . .
1. United States Bicentennial (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic. The Bicentennial culminated on Sunday, July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Founding Fathers in the Second Continental Congress. A wave of patriotism and nostalgia swept the nation.(Submitted on February 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Why Is Colorado Called the Centennial State?.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2025
2. The Spirit of '76 Century Time Capsule Marker
The marker and time capsule are at foundation level on the east/front faηade of the historic Westcliff Schoolhouse.
(by Bonnie Doss-Knight) Excerpt: Colorado is called the Centennial State because it became a state in 1876, the same year that the United States was engaged in its centennial celebration to commemorate 100 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Colorado was the 38th state, and the only state admitted to the union in 1876. Earning statehood isnt an easy thing, and Colorados leaders had worked for a long time to prepare their petition and had actually been denied once before.(Submitted on February 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
On 1 August 1876, sixteen years after the territorys formation, the State of Colorado was admitted to the Union and became the 38th state. That year, the U.S. was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which happened in July 1776. Colorado would almost certainly not be called the Centennial State if it had been accepted as a state on its first try, though. The U.S. Congress passed an act that would have allowed Colorado to be granted statehood in 1865, 11 years before the United States' centennial, but then-president Andrew Johnson vetoed the act. Johnson was succeeded by UlyssesS. Grant in 1869, and in 1870, Grant began advocating for Colorado to be admitted as a state. On 3 March 1875, the U.S. Congress again authorized Colorado to become a state, and Grant signed Proclamation 230 - Admission of Colorado Into the Union in 1876.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 20253. Westcliff Schoolhouse (southeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
