Colorado has always been a destination of interest, and for good reason. Today, tourists and outdoorsmen flood in from every corner of the world, eager for adventure. The 19th century was no different, as pioneering men and women settled in the Western Territories. Gold was a big motivator, and the California Gold Rush made men into millionaires. In 1891, Winfield Scott Stratton discovered gold in Colorado’s Pikes Peak region. The
A common question I hear often from visitors to Colorado Springs is, “What is that little castle up on the mountain?” the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun does look like a little castle since it is built in a Romanesque Revival style, so I can understand why people think it is one. I encourage tourists and natives alike to visit it, since it has an interesting history as well
A Testament to a Legacy Continued from: Part 1: “A Test of Faith” Part 2: “Independence and Influence” Winfield Scott Stratton, America’s richest man and Colorado’s Mining King, was at the top of his game in 1899. The Independence Mine, the source of his sudden wealth, was producing about a million dollars a month (yes, you read that right) and Stratton had decided to do something crazy—sell it. Stratton’s life
Independence and Influence Continued from: Part 1: “A Test of Faith” As dawn broke on July 4, 1891, Winfield Scott Stratton stood upon his two claims near Victor, Colorado: the Washington and the Independence, named to commemorate the date on which they were claimed. Leslie Popejoy, who had grubstaked Stratton the $275 it cost for the claims, had taken off for Denver after Stratton bought out his share. How did
A Test of Faith Winfield Scott Stratton, perhaps the least known but single largest contributor to Colorado Springs, was an enigma. Known as much for his benevolence as for his eccentricities, Stratton was Colorado Springs’ first and biggest nineteenth-century multi-millionaire. Born in Jeffersonville, Illinois in 1848, he was one of eight children, six of whom were girls. Most of his siblings died in infancy, so by the time he was
It’s not very big. In fact, it’s rather small when compared to other houses around it, but the McAllister House, at 423 North Cascade Avenue is far more important than the imposing mansions down the street. The McAllister House has the distinction of being the first brick house built in Colorado Springs, and as such, set the standard of living for pioneers coming to this city. The house and its
