Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association

10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

Western Museum of Mining and Industry
225 North Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs

http://www.wmmi.org/home

The Museum interprets the rich mining history of Colorado and the American West. Over 4,000 artifacts are on display at the 27-acre indoor/outdoor exhibit site, which includes a ten-stamp ore mill; and multi-purpose center with exhibits, theater and a 5,000-volume research library. The entire exhibit complex is an exciting and exceptional tool for learning about Colorado history, mining and industrial technology, geology, and the environment.

11:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
101 Pro Rodeo Drive,  Colorado Springs
http://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/

The experience at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy gives attention to educating the visitor regarding the sport’s historical beginning and offers an explanation of what the cowboy contestants must experience to become champions.

Visitors to the Hall of Fame receive an introduction to rodeo via a multi-media audio/visual presentation, and then tour the following exhibits:  Founders Hall, Heritage Hall, Hall of Champions, The Outdoor Garden and the 101 Gallery.

12:10 P.M.  Complimentary Lunch at Garden of the Gods
1:30 P.M to 2:30 P.M.
Miramont Castle.
9 Capitol Hill Avenue Manitou Springs Colorado

http://www.miramontcastle.org/

Experience life as it would have been in Victorian times, from the Castle itself where you can view 30 rooms resplendent in authentic Victorian furnishings,

2:45 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Ghost Town Museum
9 Capitol Hill Avenue Manitou Springs Colorado
http://www.ghosttownmuseum.com/

As a true preservation of Colorado’s western past, Ghost Town Museum is a fun and historic look back at kind of old west town that used to dot this region during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Explore the boardwalk connecting the Blacksmith's shop, Saloon, General and Merchants of Main Street, with the Livery Stable, and Victorian Home. Each is filled with thousands of fascinating artifacts.

Guide Line Review


​Pikes Peak or Bust
Colorado Springs FAM


The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is tucked just to the east of I-25 at the North Gate exit to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  This gem of a museum, that has been open since 1970, offers an experience that brings the history of mining to life.  Guided by Christine Nestlerode, our group was able to pan for gold, learn about mined minerals that we eat every day, and see the mining equipment in action.  Though loud, the equipment was fascinating and obviously dangerous to the workers who used them daily.  We learned many mining facts including that "16 tons of rock" (remember that song?) was a miner’s daily quota for which he was paid $3 in company script – if he lived to collect it.  The highlight of the tour was the fully functional 1895 Corliss Steam Engine.  The museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits and in June each year has a Gem and Mineral Fair where the outside gold mill is run for the public.

-- Michelle Kempema

The world of cowboys and rodeo came to life as we walked through the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.  Pictures of famous cowboys and cowgirls, an introductory video, saddles, hats, buckles, ropes, and more brought the sport to life.

The newest part of the hall was built in 1979. The first hall was built in 1975.  That facility was a step up from the original small Denver offices of the Rodeo Association.  The original association was called The Cowboy Turtle Association.  It took many years before cowboys were recognized as true athletes and paid accordingly, hence, the use of the word turtle.

Cowboys compete in many events in rodeos all over the USA.  Bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding, and roping, are some of the events. Bill Pickett came up with steer wrestling as an event.  To win the coveted title of All Round Cowboy, an athlete must win the most prize money in at least two events on the circuit.  The Rodeo Finals for the champion buckle are held in Las Vegas each year.  Women compete in a smaller number of events and compete in some of the same rodeos as the men.

Viewing the many exhibits in the Hall gave us all an insight into the world of the professional cowboy/cowgirl.  Gene Autry was a stock handler/supplier to rodeos and therefore had a picture in the Hall.  

Rodeoing as a sport is demanding both physically and mentally.  The Hall celebrates the sport and all that have participated.

--Ginny Gelbach

The historic Garden of the Gods Trading Post lies on the southwest corner of the Garden of the Gods Park.  In the early 1920's Charles E. Strausenback built the Trading Post to resemble the homes of the Pueblo Indians. While still in his teens, Strausenback set up a tripod stand at the Garden's East Gateway Rock.  Here, in front of Fatty Rice's beer hall, Strausenback sold gypsum figurines which he carved.  This was the beginning of the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

In 1979, the Trading Post came under new proprietorship. T.A.T. Enterprises, Inc. began extensive renovations.  In the tradition of the original Trading Post, a southwest Indian art gallery was built to display contemporary Indian fine arts and crafts. The main structure was left much as it had been in earlier days. Paintings and photographs by Strausenback were hung throughout the building and can still be seen today.  The wrought iron fixtures on the entry doors, as well as the handiwork around the fireplaces are of his design and creation.

Since 1979, the Trading Post has expanded six times to become the largest trading post in Colorado, with an ever-increasing line of Native American arts and crafts.

Marty Brown, Sales Manager/Events Coordinator, provided lively commentary and a tour of the Trading Post.  As we toured, Marty pointed out architectural features and delineations of the various additions.  There is both indoor and outdoor space for tour group meals and events.  To schedule a tour email  events@ggtp.cc   

-- Norma Bovee

Miramont Castle written by Valerie Booze Miramont Castle was built by Father Francolon, a Catholic priest born to a wealthy, aristocratic family in France in 1854.  In 1892, he came as a missionary priest to Manitou Springs and built his first house which was donated in 1895 to the Sisters of Mercy as a sanitarium for the treatment of tuberculosis. It was called ontcalme Sanitarium and was destroyed in an electrical fire in 1907.  You can still see the original stone foundation wall and the last remaining TB hut on the upper parking lot on the north side.  The Castle was constructed from 1895-1897.  It is a remarkable 14,000 square foot structure with 4 levels, 40 rooms, including eight-sided rooms, a sixteen sided room, and a beautiful solarium.  Miramont, which means "look at the mountain," had indoor plumbing and electricity when it was built. Today the first floor houses both the Manitou Springs Fire Department History Museum and “Little London” Miniatures by Doris Crawford.  Miramont Castle is open year-round for self-guided tours.  For information regarding hours, guided tours, special events, tea room and more, visit http://www.miramontcastle.org.

One discovery was a fun fact that I read at the castle which said that Manitou Mineral Water was served on the Titanic!  Another discovery was that the property on which Miramont Castle is located is part of a parcel of land whose earliest deed dates back to 1862, and was once owned by Colonel John Chivington, who commanded the infamous Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. 

-- Valerie Booze

The Ghost Town Museum is on a former Colorado Midland Railway steam locomotive maintenance-repair Yard is the Ghost Town Museum opened in 1954 by Lois Acres who had a vision to store and display artifacts for future generations from Colorado’s historic mining/settlement days. 

Throughout Colorado, Lois salvaged buildings to be reconstructed within the former Colorado Midland Railway machine shop. The museum, displaying a recreated town under one roof, is still privately owned and run by General Manager, Dave Harris, grandson in-law to Lois Acres. While in the reconstructed town, I moseyed into the saloon, plunked a quarter into fortune telling machine to hear about my great future.  Later I stood mesmerized into front of the mechanical contraption called a Wurlitzer CX Orchestration listening to the machine belt out some songs on eyboard, organ and drums.  Come on out and see how folks lived back in the 1800’s and early 1900’s at the Ghost Town Museum in Colorado Springs!

--Winston Walker 

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