Glen Eyrie
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| Glen Eyrie | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Register of Historic Places) | |
| Location: | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Coordinates: | |
| Built/Founded: | 1871 |
| Architect: | Frederick Sterner |
| Architectural style(s): | Tudor Revival |
| Added to NRHP: | April 21, 1975 |
| Reference #: | 75000519 [1] |
| Governing body: | Private |
General William Jackson Palmer built his dream home, which he called Glen Eyrie near Colorado Springs in the northwest foothills north of the Garden of the Gods rock formations (now a city park). After building a large carriage house, where the family lived for a time, Palmer and his wife Queen built a 22-room frame house. This house was remodeled in 1881 to include a tower and additional rooms.
Queen Palmer, at age twenty-one, opened the first public school in Colorado Springs in November, 1871. The Palmers had three daughters, Elsie, Dorothy, and Marjory.
In 1880, Mrs. Palmer suffered a mild heart attack and was advised to move to a lower altitude. She and the girls moved to the East Coast and then to England where General Palmer visited them as often as he could. Queen died on December 28, 1894, at the age of 44. In sorrow, General Palmer went to England to return Mrs. Palmer's remains and the girls to Colorado Springs.
[edit] Glen Eyrie's use today
The castle is now owned by The Navigators. The general public is allowed on its grounds Monday through Thursday (9-4) to visit its bookstore, located in the Welcome Center of the property, or to hike its many trails. Tours of the Castle - originally the home of General Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs - are available to the public for $5.00. These tours require an advance reservation. The Castle is also a conference and retreat center that puts on many Christian conferences and programs. The property is also available for use by groups for meetings, receptions, and retreats.
The Navigators headquarters is at its modern administration building, in the northeast part of the Glen Eyrie property. It is viewable from 30th Street south of Garden of the Gods Road, which is off of Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs.
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2006-03-15).
