The brilliant red sandstone unique to Colorado (Color Red) has been in the making for about the last 240 years and covers the rock formations of Garden of the Gods outside Colorado Springs. Many canyons, which are hundreds of feet deep, lay next to the cliffs and peaks stretching into the sky. The ones that stand closer to Denver stand taller then Niagara Fall’s and gives a break taking view whether you are looking up or down.
Picture was taken by David Shankbone
Two surveyors, M. S. Beach and Rufus Cable, in August 1859 had left Denver to begin a town site known as Colorado City and were exploring the nearby areas when they stumbled upon these massive rock formations. M.S. Beach first suggested the area be the “capital place for a beer garden,” but Cable didn’t agree. Cable returned with “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.”
The ability to visit the Garden of the Gods is thanks to Charles Elliott Perkins. During the 1870s, the railroad lines had worked their way to the west by gentlemen like General William Jackson Palmer. In 1879, Perkins was the head of the Burlington Railroad and was encouraged by Palmer to build his railroad from Chicago to Colorado Springs. Along with the repeated suggestion of building the railroad, Perkins was also urged to build his home in the Garden of the Gods.
Perkins railroad never made it to Colorado Springs, but he did take Palmers suggestion by buying 240 acres in the Garden of the Gods for his summer home. Just like the railroad, Perkins never built the summer home or on the property at all. He added to the property in later years, but wanted to leave the Garden of the Gods untouched for the public to enjoy. Garden of the Gods was open to the public, but Perkins passed away in 1907 before the official arrangements could be made. In 1909 his children, knowing very well of his wishes, gave the 480 acres to the city of Colorado Springs so it would always be known as the Garden of the Gods and "where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park."
Ancient prehistory can be viewed at Garden of the God’s as people walk the same path as the dinosaurs walked making it a living history book. Within the park, there are dinosaur tracks that lead the way including a new species of dinosaur which was discovered and named after the park, Theiophytalia kerri.
Garden of the God’s offer many activities other then just sight seeing and history including walking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. With many activities, there is a ample amount of choices to be able to view and enjoy where the gods assemble at the Garden of the Gods.
