Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city, located just east of the geographic center of the state of Colorado in the United States. It has a population of 360,890 (according to the 2000 census) and is the second largest city in Colorado. At elevation 6,035 feet, it is situated near the base of one of the most famous American peaks, Pikes Peak, on the east side of the Rocky Mountains. The capital of Colorado, Denver, is 68 miles to the north. The city is the county seat of El Paso County{{GR|1}}.

History

In August 1871, Colorado Springs was founded by General William Palmer, a veteran of the American Civil War. Its present downtown location owes to the fact that Palmer disliked the saloons of Colorado City and ensured his city was alcohol free, keeping well clear of the alcohol loving denizens just west of his newly founded city. After Prohibition ended in 1933 Colorado Springs became open to alcohol sales and bars were established in its borders.

Related Topics:
1871 - General William Palmer - American Civil War - Prohibition - 1933

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The former territorial capital of Colorado City just west of downtown Colorado Springs and east of Manitou Springs served as Colorado's territorial capital in 1862, meeting in a log cabin on Colorado Avenue on July 7, 1862. On August 14, 1862 the territorial legislature approved an act which named Golden as the territorial capital. Colorado City was never recognized by the Federal government as the territorial capital, and was some decades later annexed into the City of Colorado Springs. Colorado City was known in its early days as a center of gold ore processing which came from nearby Cripple Creek. Saloons served alcoholic beverages to the miners found there, while Colorado Springs, under the influence of Gen. Palmer, stayed dry in order to attract a genteel type of resident in its early days.

Related Topics:
Manitou Springs - 1862 - July 7 - August 14 - Golden - Gold - Cripple Creek - Saloon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In August 1893, visiting English professor Katherine Lee Bates wrote America the Beautiful from her Antlers Hotel room after visiting the top of Pikes Peak.

Related Topics:
1893 - Katherine Lee Bates - America the Beautiful - Pikes Peak

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~