Colorado Springs is the county seat for El Paso County
Colorado Springs is in El Paso County
El Paso County(363) ► ADJACENT TO EL PASO COUNTY Crowley County(2) ► Douglas County(18) ► Elbert County(6) ► Fremont County(47) ► Lincoln County(5) ► Pueblo County(15) ► Teller County(40) ►
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This land you are standing on was already rich in history when General
William Jackson Palmer founded the City of Colorado Springs in 1871.
This land was home to American Indian people for thousands of years.
Cheyenne Creek and its majestic . . . — — Map (db m208668) HM
Directly in front of you is the Academy which is dedicated to producing highly qualified and motivated officers for your U.S. Air Force. Its four year program combines Military and academic instruction and athletic competition. The airfield in the . . . — — Map (db m4884) HM
This memorial grove
and
sitting shelter
is dedicated in fond memory
of the passengers and air crew
of United Airlines #585
which crashed on this site
March 3, 1991.
Bonnie Bachman ·
Dan Birkholz ·
Andy Bodnar ·
Mildred Ann Brown . . . — — Map (db m214957) HM
Welcome to Colorado Springs
History of Colorado Springs
Founded as a resort town in 1871 by Civil War hero General William Jackson Palmer, the region has drawn visitors world-wide since its beginning. People traveled near and far to . . . — — Map (db m107277) HM
Pikes Peak
You are at 13,380 feet, 4,078 meters
Feeling Spacey? In the United States you can not get much closer to outer space than this! Are you dizzy and short of breath? No wonder, you are 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) above sea level! There is 40% . . . — — Map (db m45815) HM
The Ute Indians say they have always lived in the hills of Colorado. They referred to the Rocky Mountain’s easternmost peak as Sun Mountain because it vibrantly catches the early morning rays.
In the late 1700s, Spaniards referred to the peak as El . . . — — Map (db m45922) HM
Soon after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862, homesteaders moved west across the prairies and spread into the hills of Pikes Peak. In the 1870s, the Crowe family claimed 160 acres in this valley that later came to be known . . . — — Map (db m45936) HM
Commemorating the 100th anniversary
of the inspiration of
"America the Beautiful"
by
Katharine Lee Bates
1859 - 1929
Following her visit to this Summit on July 22, 1893 . . . — — Map (db m45817) HM
Without fires, forests grow dense with trees that compete for nutrients, sunlight and space. Competition and stress leave forests susceptible to disease, insects and fire. Many plants on the forest floor die competing for nutrients adding to the . . . — — Map (db m45935) HM
As you drive up Pikes Peak, you’ll feel it get colder. You’ll also notice that the plants change. See if you can pick out four different life zones on the way to and from the summit.
A life zone is a plant and animal community that exists at . . . — — Map (db m45929) HM
Has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 this site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States. US Department of . . . — — Map (db m45816) HM
Alpine and subalpine tundra is the low-growing vegetation found in the “land above the trees.” At this high elevation, the climate is harsh with searing winds, intense sunlight and frigid temperatures that limit the growing season. In . . . — — Map (db m45927) HM
The foothills of Colorado’s eastern slope form the dramatic meeting place of the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. In this transition area between the prairie and the mountains, grasslands intermix with scrublands of mountain mahogany and scrub . . . — — Map (db m45925) HM
When artists and photographers portray Colorado’s mountainous beauty, they usually capture the classic views of evergreen forests, stands of quaking aspens, and meadows of brilliant wildflowers. The montane area above 8,000 feet contains just such . . . — — Map (db m45926) HM
Watch and listen to see how many different birds you can discover on Pikes Peak. From the foothills to the summit, there are about 225 species. This variety is due to the number of habitats on the mountain. Can you match the birds to the habitat? . . . — — Map (db m45920) HM
The granite that make up Pikes Peak was once molten (or liquid) rock. It slowly cooled and hardened miles beneath the earth’s surface, giving the crystals time to grow. Over the last 500 million years several tectonic plates (the earth’s outer . . . — — Map (db m45921) HM
Passage from prairie to high plains
If you had been standing on this spot for the last 10,000 years, you would have seen the history of Colorado progress below you. This ancient route through the Rocky Mountains is named for Colorado’s Ute . . . — — Map (db m45761) HM
Take Your Time and Enjoy Your Trip: Allow at least two hours to make the 38-mile round-trip to the summit and back. Uphill traffic has the right-of-way at all times. Watch for maintenance equipment.
Driving Up: If your engine begins to labor on . . . — — Map (db m45932) HM
Did you know that Colorado Springs is almost a desert? Deserts receive less than ten inches of rain per year. The average precipitation in Colorado Springs is only about 15 inches per year. That’s pretty dry compared to Boston’s annual 44 . . . — — Map (db m45919) HM
The First Stake of the Fountain Colony was driven here
July 31 1871
Rededicated
NSDAR
Zebulon Pike Chapter
Kinnikinnik Chapter
August 1, 1983
D.A.R.
July 1, 1895 — — Map (db m202572) HM
The people of Colorado have placed here this granite rock in recognition of the notable career of Zebulon Montgomery Pike · Soldier-Explorer · and in commemoration of the One Hundredth anniversary of his historic expedition
to the southwest . . . — — Map (db m201078) HM
The 1908 Van Briggle Pottery, situated on land given to the Pottery by General William J. Palmer, is a remarkable expression of the period and a showcase for the unique talents of the architect as well as the artists whose work it would house. . . . — — Map (db m201106) HM
Cries of "gold!" lured countless
prospectors to Colorado's Rocky
Mountains in 1859. And while
miners went bust or hit pay dirt in
South Park, Leadville and later Cripple
Creek, Colorado City supplied the
means to continue the quest. At . . . — — Map (db m201136) HM
One of the earliest structures in
Colorado City, this false-fronted
log cabin was built in 1859 by
Dr. James Paul Garvin at 2608
West Colorado Avenue. In 1861,
the first Territorial Legislature met
in Colorado City, a candidate . . . — — Map (db m201139) HM
This tablet is the
Property of the State of Colorado
———
Colorado City
Founded here in August, 1859
then in El Paso County Kansas.
So named because at the gateway
to mines thought to be on the
Colorado . . . — — Map (db m200383) HM
This tablet is the
Property of the State of Colorado
———
Log house from Colorado's first designated territorial capital, at Colorado City (now a part of Colorado Springs). This log log house was built in 1859. . . . — — Map (db m200386) HM
The first permanent settlement of the Pikes Peak Region.
The capital city of the Colorado Territory for four days in July 1862.
El Paso county seat for 10 years.
This location at the foot of Pikes Peak laid the foundation for the entire
Pikes . . . — — Map (db m201102) HM
The cabin came home in 1961. It
was placed in Bancroft Park, on
the site of the playground for the
old Bancroft School, in the 2400
block of West Colorado Avenue. The
school was named for prolific
nineteenth-century Western History
writer . . . — — Map (db m201144) HM
This monument erected in memory of those unsung pioneers who helped build the Pikes Peak Region, the infants born to pioneer families of this area, and those later residents, both known and unknown, who came to this final resting place: Blocks 20, . . . — — Map (db m19080) HM
The Tesla Experimental Station was a laboratory built by Nikola Tesla in 1899 in an empty site on Knob Hill in Colorado Springs. The experimental lab stood north of this location on North Foote Avenue. The lab was operational from May 1899 to . . . — — Map (db m141526) HM
The abundant seeds of piñon and juniper trees draw wildlife to this ecosystem like a magnet. Chipmunks, foxes, piñon mice and squirrels munch the blue or copper-colored juniper berries. The berries last through the winter. They provide food for . . . — — Map (db m45982) HM
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, . . . — — Map (db m135547) HM
In 1879, General William Jackson Palmer, 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, . . . — — Map (db m135646) HM
In 1858, a young woman from Kansas climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak. Julia Archibald Holmes was the first Anglo woman on record to make the climb, and she became famous for that accomplishment as well as for the way she did it.
Julia had arrived . . . — — Map (db m46001) HM
The beauty of Garden of the Gods Park, with its dramatic red rock formations framing Pikes Peak, serves as a magnificent eastern gateway to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The park’s towering red sandstone rocks have long been recognized as a landmark. . . . — — Map (db m45983) HM
A Privately-Owned Balanced Rock In the 1890s, photographer Paul Goerke shrewdly purchased the land around Balanced Rock. Goerke and his son, Curt, snapped photos of tourists for .25 cents each. The Goerkes then developed the plates in their . . . — — Map (db m45981) HM
Travelers have been drawn to the towering rock formations of Garden of the Gods and the world famous Pikes Peak for centuries. The view from the summit inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the lyrics for “America the Beautiful" in 1893.
Pikes . . . — — Map (db m135578) HM
This marks the site of the
Old Fort and Stockade
built by
Pioneers of Colorado City
used in defense against
the Indians in 1864 and 1868
Constructed of logs
set on end
_____
Erected by
Old . . . — — Map (db m96054) HM
Welcome!
Rock ledge Ranch Historic Site is a living history museum that allows visitors to experience the lives of the people who dwelled, worked, hunted, herded and raised families here from the 1700s to the early 20th century. This . . . — — Map (db m46002) HM
1775-1835 American Indian Area
Discover the history and culture of the American Indians who lived in the Central Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors will have an opportunity to see an elk or buffalo hide tepee, a wide variety of . . . — — Map (db m135562) HM
Around 300 million years ago, the Ancestral Rockies once stood here. Over time, the forces of wind and water eroded the magnificent peaks into swift streams full of sediments. These sediments were eventually pressed and cemented into solid rock. The . . . — — Map (db m45979) HM
Given to
the City of Colorado Springs
in 1909
by the children
of
Charles Elliott Perkins
In fulfilment of his wish
that it be kept forever
free to the public — — Map (db m135023) HM
This rock formation, called Sentinel Rock, is a geologic treasure. It is composed of two types of rock - a fine sandstone and a gravelly conglomerate. The various layers in this rock were deposited 275 million years ago. During that time, ancient . . . — — Map (db m135022) HM
The Central Garden Trail is a moderate, one-mile round-trip loop. It is paved and wheelchair accessible. This trail will take you between the towering Gateway Rocks into the heart of Garden of the Gods Park. Along the way you will have the . . . — — Map (db m72936) HM
