Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun facts for kids
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Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Architect | Charles E. Thomas, Randall Davey |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001229 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1994 |
The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, often called the Will Rogers Shrine, is a special tower and chapel located on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It's named after Will Rogers, a famous American comedian and writer who sadly passed away in a plane crash in 1935 while the shrine was being built.
This beautiful monument also serves as a resting place for Spencer Penrose and his wife, Julie. Spencer Penrose was a well-known builder in Colorado Springs. He created many important places, including the nearby Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and The Broadmoor resort. The shrine was finished by Penrose in 1937. It stands 100 feet (30 m) tall and has five stories. From the top, you can see amazing views of The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, and the Garden of the Gods.
In 1994, the shrine was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site because of its unique art and architecture.
Contents
Exploring the Shrine's Location
The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun is located high up on Cheyenne Mountain. It sits at an elevation of 8,136 feet (2,480 m) above sea level. This means it's about 1,500 feet (460 m) higher than the city of Colorado Springs below. The shrine is also located above the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
From this special spot on the mountain, you can enjoy wide-open views of the Rampart Range mountains, Colorado Springs, and the flat plains stretching out. To reach the shrine, you drive along the Cheyenne Mountain Highway. Keep in mind that you need to buy tickets for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to access the road leading to the shrine.
Discovering the Shrine's Design
An Overview of the Monument
The Will Rogers Shrine is a five-story tower with a one-story chapel next to it. It was designed by a local architect named Charles E. Thomas. He was hired by Julie and Spencer Penrose, who was a generous person and a developer. Penrose was known for building The Broadmoor resort and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
The monument is built in a style called Romanesque Revival architecture. It features strong supports called buttresses, a beautifully decorated iron and brass door, and narrow windows with leaded glass. The tower stands 100 feet (30 m) tall. Part of its name, "Shrine of the Sun," comes from the wonderful views of the sunrise and sunset you can see from there.
Inside the monument, you'll find pictures and displays about Will Rogers' life. These help to remember him. The shrine also honors Julie and Spencer Penrose, whose tombs are located on the lower level. A large mural, 340 square feet (32 m2) in size, was painted by artist Randall Davey. This mural tells the story of the Pikes Peak Region's history.
The Shrine's Grounds and Materials
You enter the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun through a stone gateway. The entire area is surrounded by a stone wall. This wall, and the tower itself, are made from the same type of pink granite rock, which was quarried right from Cheyenne Mountain.
Within these stone walls, you can see a statue of Will Rogers made by Jo Davidson. There are also Chinese sculptures and beautiful landscaping with plants that grow naturally in the area. A bronze statue of Spencer Penrose, made by Avard Fairbanks, is also on display.
The building is made from strong materials like granite, steel, cement, iron, and brass. Its roof is made of ceramic tiles. Interestingly, no wood or nails were used in its construction. Inside, the floors are made of terrazzo, and there's beautiful marble and ironwork. Stairs lead you up to the different floors.
The shrine was finished in 1937 and officially opened on September 6, 1937. The total cost to build it was about $250,000.
Inside the Monument and Tower
The monument has different sections: a one-story building with the chapel, the five-story tower, and a staircase connecting them. On the first floor and the first two levels of the stairway, you'll see murals painted by Randall Davey. These murals show important people and events from the area's history. The murals were restored in 1994 by Eric Bransby. They show scenes of Native Americans, the travels of Zebulon Pike, the Cripple Creek Mining era, William Jackson Palmer (who founded Colorado Springs), and Spencer Penrose.
The next three floors of the tower feature a photographic history of Will Rogers. You can see pictures from his childhood in Oklahoma all the way through his career on stage, in movies, and on the radio. The very last mural shows Will Rogers and Wiley Post just before their final, tragic plane crash.
A set of Westminster chimes play on a special instrument called a vibraharp. These chimes ring out every quarter-hour or every hour. The sounds of these chimes can be heard up to 20 miles (32 km) away! This is thanks to a very advanced sound system that was built when the shrine was new. Over the years, songs like Home on the Range and classical music have also been broadcast from the tower.
At night, bright floodlights illuminate the shrine, and the walkways are lit up. Below, Cheyenne Lake at The Broadmoor reflects the nearby lights, creating a beautiful scene.
The Chapel's Art and History
The chapel is located below the first level of the monument. Inside, you'll find European artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries. This includes a 16th-century Baroque painting of the Madonna. The chapel also has furniture from the 16th century, such as choir stalls, a Classical Baroque altar, and carved Monk benches. The chapel's crucifix is a German woodcarving.
The remains of Spencer and Julie Penrose are laid to rest in the chapel. Two of their friends, Horace Devereaux and Larry Leonard, are also interred there. You can also see Eastern artworks, including a standing bronze statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin wearing rosary beads, and three Buddha statues.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario del Sol Will Rogers para niños
