Timeline of Colorado Springs, Colorado facts for kids

Colorado Springs is a cool city in Colorado, USA, with a rich and exciting history! It's nestled at the foot of the famous Pikes Peak, and over the years, it has grown from a small town into a bustling place known for its beautiful nature, military bases, and sports. Let's take a trip back in time to see how Colorado Springs became the city it is today.

The Early Days: 1800s History

• 1871 - The Colorado Springs Company was started by a man named William Jackson Palmer. This company helped plan and build the city.
• 1872
  • The town officially became a city. This means it got its own local government.
  • A newspaper called Out West began printing the news.
• 1873 - Colorado Springs became the main city, or "seat," for El Paso County. This meant important county offices were located here.
• 1874
  • Two important schools were built: Colorado College and the Colorado School for Deaf Mutes.
  • There was a big grasshopper plague that year, which was tough for farmers.
  • The house of famous writer Helen Hunt Jackson was built.
  • Evergreen Cemetery started being used.
• 1875 - The El Paso County Library, a place where people could borrow books, opened.
• 1876 - Colorado Springs became part of the new State of Colorado when it joined the United States.
• 1882 - The Antlers Hotel, a famous place to stay, opened its doors.
• 1885 - The Colorado Midland Railway started running trains, making it easier to travel and move goods.
• 1890
  • The Alamo Hotel was built.
  • A free library and reading room was set up for everyone.
• 1891
  • People found gold in nearby Cripple Creek, which brought many new people to the area.
  • The Pikes Peak cog railway, a special train that goes up the mountain, and St. Mary's Church were built.
• 1892 - Pike National Forest, a large protected forest, was created near Colorado Springs.
• 1893 - A new High School Building opened for students.
• 1899 - Van Briggle Art Pottery, a company that made beautiful pottery, was founded.

The 20th Century: Growth and Change

• 1901 - The Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway began operating, connecting the city to the mining towns.
• 1903 - The El Paso County Courthouse building was constructed.
• 1904 - The Colorado Springs City Hall, where the city government works, was built.
• 1905
  • The Colorado Springs Public Library-Carnegie Building opened, thanks to a gift from Andrew Carnegie.
  • Henry Clay Hall became the city's mayor.
• 1907 - Monument Valley Park, a beautiful green space, was developed.
• 1909 - The famous Garden of the Gods park was officially established.
• 1910
  • St. Stephen's School and the Colorado Springs Light, Heat and Power Company were started.
  • The city's population grew to 29,078 people.
• 1913 - Harry H. Seldomridge became a U.S. representative for Colorado.
• 1917 - Colorado City, a nearby town, became part of Colorado Springs.
• 1918 - The luxurious Broadmoor Hotel opened.
• 1919 - The Broadmoor Art Academy was founded, focusing on art education.
• 1923 - The Colorado Springs Municipal Auditorium and the Cottonwood Creek Bridge were built.
• 1925 - Alexander Airport was built, helping with air travel.
• 1926 - The National Methodist Sanitorium, a health facility, opened.
• 1928 - The Alexander Film Company, which made movies, moved to Colorado Springs.
• 1935 - The Peak Theatre, a movie theater, opened.
• 1936 - The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, a place for art and culture, was built.
• 1937
  • The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo began, a fun event with cowboys and horses.
  • The Colorado Springs Museum was established.
• 1938 - The Broadmoor Ice Palace, a skating rink, opened.
• 1940 - The population reached 33,237 people.
• 1941 - Camp Carson, a U.S. military base, was established.
• 1946 - The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph newspaper began publication.
• 1948 - Peterson Field, an air force base, was established.
• 1956 - Santa's Workshop, a fun amusement park, opened near the city.
• 1957 - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a defense organization, was established.
• 1958 - The United States Air Force Academy, a famous military school, was established near the city.
• 1962 - The unique United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel was built.
• 1964 - The Cheyenne Mountain nuclear bunker, a secure underground facility, was built near the city.
• 1965 - Colorado Technical College and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs were established, offering more education options.
• 1967 - Pikes Peak Community College was established.
• 1970
  • The Colorado Springs Sun newspaper began printing.
  • The population grew significantly to 135,060 people.
• 1974 - Care and Share food bank was officially created to help people.
• 1975
  • Peterson U.S. Air Force Base became active.
  • Larry Ochs became mayor.
• 1978
  • The United States Olympic Training Center opened, where athletes train for the Olympics.
  • The National Sports Festival was held in the city.
• 1979
  • The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association set up its main office in the city.
  • Bob Isaac became mayor.
  • The Professional Rodeo Hall of Champs and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum opened.
• 1980 - The Pikes Peak Genealogical Society was founded.
• 1982
  • Colorado Springs officially added several neighborhoods, including Broadmoor and Ivywild.
  • The Pikes Peak Center, a place for shows and concerts, was built.
• 1983 - The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs was established.
• 1985 - Falcon U.S. Air Force Station began operating.
• 1988 - The Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival began, celebrating films by women.
• 1990
  • The Norwest Bank Tower was built.
  • The population reached 281,140, with the metro area at 397,014.
• 1992 - Earth Spirit Pagans and Citizens Project were established.
• 1993 - Focus on the Family, a large organization, moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs.
• 1994 - ADX Florence, a federal prison, began operating near Colorado Springs.
• 1997 - Mary Lou Makepeace became mayor.
• 1998 - The World Arena, Colorado Springs opened, a large venue for events.

The 21st Century: Modern Times

• 2003
  • The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra and Red Rock Canyon Open Space, a natural park, were established.
  • Lionel Rivera became mayor.
• 2007
  • January: Doug Lamborn became a U.S. representative for Colorado.
• 2008 - Hollywood Theaters, a cinema, opened for movies.
• 2010 - The population grew to 416,427 people.
• 2011 - Steve Bach became mayor.
• 2012 - June 23: The Waldo Canyon fire began near the city.
• 2013
  • June 11: The Black Forest Fire began near the city.