A Garden “Fit for the Gods”: 100 Years as a City Park

For centuries people have visited the Garden of the Gods for its beauty and its mystical appeal. The curious rock formations have served as inspiration for many an artist, with some even launching their careers from this region. Even those without the artistic touch found themselves compelled to visit and explore the unusual landscape. Entrepreneurs capitalized on it by selling souvenirs and mementos to tourists.
Prior to 1909 the area was privately owned and could have potentially been sold and built upon. Charles Elliott Perkins, who owned the park until his death in1907, did his best to preserve the space while keeping it open to public exploration. After he passed ownership of the park to his children, they decided to make sure the park would forever be as their father wished it by donating it to the city of Colorado Springs.
In honor of the hundredth anniversary of this donation, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum will open a new exhibit highlighting this gem of the City’s park system. It will contain eight original works of art that capture the unique beauty of the landscape, including local photographer Rich Buzzelli’s The Morning Storm. Examples of souvenirs sold to visiting tourists, like German-made ceramic and glass dishes and hand-carved gypsum items are also included.
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located in downtown Colorado Springs at 215 South Tejon Street. Housed in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is always free. For more information about this exhibit or other Museum activities call 719-385-5990.