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HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
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HON. DOUG LAMBORN
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 26, 2021
Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heart of Colorado's Fifth Congressional District, Colorado Springs, Colorado. This July 31st, we celebrate 150 years since General William Jackson Palmer, a Civil War hero and railroad magnate, founded Colorado Springs in 1871.
The region's first inhabitants were Native Americans, such as the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and many others. They gathered at the base of Pikes Peak, known today as America's Mountain, near its abundant springs in what is now called Garden of the Gods Park. As they followed vast herds of bison, the Ute would camp in nearby red rock canyon and visit the bubbling mineral water springs we still enjoy today.
The region lies along the extreme southwestern edge of the Louisiana Territory, which President Thomas Jefferson purchased in 1803. Following the Louisiana Purchase, explorers and settlers began to venture west.
In November 1806, American explorer Zebulon Pike traveled through the area and was credited for ``discovering'' Pikes Peak. He and his group attempted to reach the summit, but they were neither dressed nor equipped to climb the mountain that ultimately came to bear his name.
General William Jackson Palmer ushered in a new era of Colorado Springs history in 1869. During his first visit to the area, he fell in love with its ``most enticing scenery.'' In 1870, Palmer wrote to his wife: ``Could one live in constant view of these grand mountains without being elevated by them into a lofty plane of thought and purpose?''
In the 1890s, one of the richest gold strikes in American history was discovered on the western slope of Pikes Peak. Almost overnight, the Cripple Creek Mining District grew from an isolated cattle pasture to the home of more than 50,000 people. As a result, by the turn of the 19th century, Colorado Springs was called ``the city of millionaires.''
One of these millionaires was Spencer Penrose, who made his first fortune in Cripple Creek. He used his vast resources to build the Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain Highways and to establish the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Will Rogers Shrine, and The Broadmoor Hotel. In addition, he and his wife, Julie, created the El Pomar Foundation, which still generously supports many worthy causes in the Pikes Peak region and across Colorado.
At the turn of the century, inspired by a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates penned what has become our country's most famous poem and song, ``America the Beautiful.''
In the 1940s, the U.S. Army opened Camp Carson, marking the beginning of a strong and vital military presence in the Pikes Peak region. In 1954, the Air Force broke ground for the United States Air Force Academy to continue this military tradition. Today, Colorado Springs is home to major military installations, including Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, the U.S. Space Command, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), Schriever Air Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy.
In 1978, Colorado Springs became home to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Headquarters. In addition, over 20 National Olympic governing bodies, more than 50 national sport organizations, the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum reside in the Pikes Peak region.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in celebrating this great city's legacy and rich history. Out of humble beginnings and culture-rich traditions, Colorado Springs has grown to be a destination location for world-class athletes, nature lovers, families, and adventure seekers.
Congratulations to Colorado Springs on their 150th anniversary. May God Bless them, and may God Bless America
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 130
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