This Regional History Spotlight series will focus on books created by the Pikes Peak Library District, recorded in part from the Regional History Symposium over the last decade. Find these texts at PPLD Regional History Series.
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Legends, Labors and Loves of William Jackson Palmer was first published in 2009. It features a collection of both historical and primary source material about our city’s founder. The introduction, by Katherine Scott Sturdevant, is called, “Our Father who Art in the Intersection, Or, Where Does William Jackson Palmer Belong?” This section presents an overview of Palmer’s life and takes a humorous look at the controversy concerning the statue of Palmer in the middle of the intersection of Platte and Nevada. Sturdevant vows to chain herself to the base of the statue if the city council ever votes to move it. She implores the audience members to join her (I would).
Joyce B Lohse presents a section about Palmer’s travels as a young man, in which young Palmer travels to Europe at age 19. Through a series of journal entries, poems, and personal observations, Palmer’s early dreams and visions for his future are revealed.
Leah Davis Witherow discusses Palmer’s Quaker faith and its influence on Palmer’s life choices, the influence of his service in the Civil War, and his unwavering beliefs in faith and service.
Mark L Gardner details General Palmer’s service in the Civil War and his Medal of Honor; although Palmer completed his military service when the war was over, he didn’t receive his Medal of Honor until 1893.
Barbara Gately makes note of the friendship between Major Henry McAllister and General Palmer, which began with their coincidental births in the same Delaware county just three days apart, followed with their moves to Philadelphia, and their fast friendship, finally having met during their training for the Civil War. This friendship became one of the foundational relationships in the genesis of Colorado Springs.
Chris Nicholl covers a love story between Palmer and his wife Queen, in which the popularly-held notion that Queen hated living in Colorado Springs is dispelled through the examination of a series of loving correspondence between Palmer and his wife.
Dolores Gustafson delves into Palmer’s relationship with his wife’s family as well as the Clarke family, detailing the acquisition of what is now the Rock Ledge Ranch for his sister-in-law, and on which the Orchard House, designed by Thomas MacLaren, is built.
A speech given to the employees on January 28th, 1920 by William Bell is included. Bell, a Colorado Springs founding father and local physician and his wife, Cara, built the Briarhurst in Manitou Springs. The speech details Bell’s relationship to Palmer, and pays homage to his friend’s railroad legacy eleven years after Palmer’s death.
Mel McFarland discusses Palmer’s railroad and its controversial rivalries and routing decisions. Since the Transcontinental Railroad connected the country from east to west, what would be the best way to go north to south? Next, a detailed essay and a letter to future Colorado Springs residents written by Palmer discuss immigration in the United States and its future impact on Colorado, giving insight into Palmer’s astute observations of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of westward expansion.
Matt Mayberry explores Palmer and his vision for Colorado Springs, revealing a man not of stately composure, but one actively engaged in creating a lasting legacy for the Pikes Peak area.
A section from Judith Rice-Jones about Palmer’s love of the park system in Colorado Springs details the system of parks that interconnects throughout the city. Palmer’s transcendentalist ideas promoted a park system that allowed for frequent quick jaunts into nature so the city’s patrons could feel a sense of constant renewal and relaxation.
Donald McGilchrist includes an intricate discussion of the gardens of Glen Erie, which embodied Palmer’s vision of “conservation, experimentation, and innovation.”
George L Anderson’s speech on December 12, 1944 gives some global context before delving into Palmer’s political viewpoints.
Chris Nicholl makes a second appearance to reveal the surprising activity in Palmer’s life despite his debilitating horseback accident that made him a quadriplegic. Palmer went on to host parties, travel extensively by car, and to innovate his own system of care.
Lynn Gilfillan-Morton discusses the accident, his palliative care and his death, noting that much of Palmer’s care was so cutting-edge that many of the treatments are still used today, including the use of a waterbed to decrease pressure on the spine and sacrum.
Mary G Slocum’s section includes details of Palmer’s funeral as well as spoken tributes given to Palmer after his death by city powerhouses William Slocum, Irving Howbert, and James Gregg, and is followed by Palmer’s last will and testament.
The collection wraps up with an entertaining puppet show presented by Steven Collins and Katherine Scott Sturdevant, “Can You Not Give Up Some?” in which Collins’s handmade puppets entertain the audience with a lighthearted look at the life of William and Queen Palmer.
The Pikes Peak Library District has been publishing its own books since 2007. Although they are available on audiobook through the OverDrive app, which is how I was first introduced to them, unless you get the book in print you will miss out on about half the content because only the presentations at the Regional History Symposium are recorded to audio, and you’ll miss out on the period pieces. The print version of these collections is well worth the low price not just because of the original documents that are included, but also because of the entertaining photography that’s included within each piece. If you’re looking for a quick easy read, and you want to learn about Pike’s Peak Regional history, the Regional History Series is just the ticket to the past.
