The History of Colorado Springs
In August 1871, Colorado Springs was founded by General William Palmer, a veteran of the American Civil War. When Palmer first saw the scenic landscape of the Pikes Peak region, he knew immediately it would attract his friends from the East Coast and wealthy European entrepreneurs.  Colorado Springs became very popular with the British and it soon acquired the nickname of "Little London." The present downtown area represents the fact that Palmer disliked the saloons of Colorado City and wanted to ensure his city was alcohol free, keeping well clear of the alcohol loving denizens just west of his newly found city. With the ease of railroad transportation, people came to the see the natural beauty of the area and were soon inspired to remain in the mild climate on a more permanent basis.

In the 1890s, Colorado Springs found it was surrounded by more than scenic wealth. Gold was discovered in nearby Cripple Creek in 1891, and Colorado Springs found itself a thriving financial center. The golden years lasted until 1917, when the U.S. went to silver for its coinage and the local economy once again emphasized tourism. However, looking to expand its economic base, the city offered land to the military in 1942. With the start of World War II, Fort Carson was established on 137,000 acres to the south of Colorado Springs. The military's presence grew in the 1950s with the opening of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Over the next 30 years, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base helped create Colorado Springs' reputation as the nation's military space capital, housing the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and other Space Command centers.

When the area´s quality of life and cost advantages were recognized in the 1960´s and 1970´s, manufacturing expanded in leaps and bounds. Today many of our everyday products are being manufactured in the Pikes Peak area including: computers, plastics, electronic equipment, semiconductors, precision parts, heavy equipment and much more. Colorado Springs also became a focal point for amateur sports. It became the headquarters of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Olympic Training Center which is the world´s finest multi-sport training facility. The U.S. Olympics are not the only organization reaping the benefits of the surrounding environment as the area has become the headquarters for many other national nonprofit organizations.

Colorado Springs is the largest municipality in El Paso County with an estimated population of 320,000. The city accounts for nearly three-quarters of the county's population of approximately 450,000. The county contains 2,127 square miles, much of it rural agricultural and grazing land to the east of Colorado Springs. Other population centers in the county include Monument and Palmer Lake to the north; Security, Widefield and Fountain to the south; and Manitou Springs, Cascade and Green Mountain Falls to the west.

For more information, please visit the following pages:
Colorado Springs Climate
Colorado Springs Custom Homes
Colorado Springs Home Builders
Colorado Springs Local Links
Colorado Springs General Information