Every year, tourists nationwide and from abroad visit The Broadmoor Resort, one of the oldest and famous landmarks of Colorado Springs. Since its establishment in 1918, the Broadmoor has been praised for its first-rate service, attractions, historical beauty, and uniqueness. The resort is comparable to elegant buildings of the early 20th century in the Northeast and is, perhaps, the only example of the style in the West.
When looking into the intriguing history of the 100-year-old resort, some may wonder why businessmen from Europe and the American Northeast chose the distant Pikes Peak region to establish the Broadmoor. The choice of the location may seem surprising until we realize how much this place offered at the time. People traveled to the area to seek their fortune, treat their illnesses, or simply explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Big things often have small beginnings, and the Broadmoor is no exception. The grand resort started as a humble farm. In the 1860s, farmer Myers bought 720 acres of land in the area to produce corn and wheat. Twenty years later, William Wilcox came to Colorado Springs hoping to heal from tuberculosis. He bought the land, increased its size by an additional 880 acres, and gave it the name “Broadmoor Dairy Farm” (the source of the name “Broadmoor” is unknown). Soon after, Wilcox sold the land to James Pourtales, a well-to-do Prussian count who traveled all the way from Europe to pursue the love of a local woman. He probably wished to impress the lady with more wealth than he had and thus sought fortune in the Colorado Springs area.
Under Pourtales, the Broadmoor took a new turn in its development, changing from a farm into a Colorado Springs suburb to attract the wealthy. Pourtales had initially partnered with Wilcox to revive the dairy farm but soon found it to be an inefficient way to make profit. Thus, the Prussian count changed the name to the Broadmoor Land and Investment Company and expanded the territory to 2,400 acres. He was able to create the Broadmoor city — an expensive Colorado Springs suburb. In 1891, Pourtales built a casino to lure people into the area. However, in two years, he defaulted on a large loan and lost his assets.
Over the next two decades, various companies owned the property one after another. In 1897, the casino burned down, but thanks to local architect Thomas MacLaren, a new building emerged in its place that became a school for girls and a boarding house. Soon, however, in 1915, the building was turned into a hotel. It is amazing that over the course of several decades, this place drastically changed so many times, evolving from a farm into a Colorado Springs suburb to attract the wealthy.
The Broadmoor did not have to wait long for its ultimate owner who would transform and expand the property as we now know it. The new proprietor was Spencer Penrose, a prominent figure who significantly shaped much of Colorado Springs. He succeeded in gaining a fortune in the Pikes Peak region and used some of his acquired wealth to invest into building the grand resort. It was his dream to make Colorado Springs a popular tourist destination, and his devotion to the city and the Broadmoor made this site exceptional.
After purchasing the property, Penrose spent over $2 million to renovate the hotel to the finest tastes of the Northeast. The expenses included inviting European architects, local architect Sterner, and the New York Company Warren and Wetmore to design the hotel in the Italianate style. This can still be seen in, for instance, the rose-colored façade with ornate reliefs around some windows. Penrose also spent lots of money on paintings from various American artists, which made the Broadmoor a holder of the largest collection of canvases depicting the Midwest. The new owner also generously paid the well-known Olmstead brothers who landscaped the grounds of the resort.
Spencer’s wife, Julie Penrose, played a noteworthy role in the city’s development as well. She fully supported her spouse in all his endeavors, while, at the same time, independently participating in various projects at the Broadmoor. Mrs. Penrose built the Carriage Museum, featuring, among other artifacts, over 30 horse-drawn carriages and more than a dozen automobiles of the early 1920s and ’30s. As a patron of the Arts, she took part in the interior design of the Broadmoor, such as the wall coverings, carpets, furniture, and artwork. Julia employed various styles in different parts of the hotel. One hall, for instance, has Classical Greco-Roman elements, with marble floors and painted domes depicting ancient Greek deities, while the main lobby is reminiscent of the art of later centuries, with mosaic floors and a painted glass ceiling.
The dedication and artistic taste of both Mr. and Mrs. Penrose transformed the Broadmoor into a work of art whose mix of styles made this place unique. Without a doubt, the couple built the hotel primarily for their own enjoyment and to display their status. On the other hand, it was beneficial to the city and its residents to have this distinctive historical site. To this day, people admire the architectural complex and the tasteful arrangement of gardens all over the resort.
The Penroses’ driving ambition led to extraordinary outcomes. The hotel was an immediate success when it officially opened to the public in 1918. It attracted many wealthy people who could splurge on the luxury resort. Later, during the Great Depression and World War II, the hotel struggled financially and closed down for a year, but survived. Eventually, the hotel experienced a boom in the 1950s. Since the U.S. economy was thriving again, more people could afford higher expenses. Ever since then, the Broadmoor has prospered due to the increasing flow of money from the wealthy.
So, what exactly attracted people to Colorado from all over the country back in the 19th century? In the 1890s, the Pikes Peak region became a major gold rush destination for those seeking a fortune or just a better life. Mining of the precious metal turned into a successful business that aided the local economy, caused migration to the Mountain West, and expanded the pockets of some opportunists. For a while, Colorado Springs was rightly known as “the city of millionaires.” The wealthy could own large-scale businesses and acquire property and land.
Spencer Penrose was one of them. The Philadelphian moved to Colorado Springs with “an almost empty wallet” but ended up becoming a prosperous businessman. With a $500 loan, he increased his fortune with an investment in a Cripple Creek gold mine and, later, in a gold processing mill. This provided Penrose the capital needed for his next business venture. Penrose financed a geologist who invented a successful method to process low grade copper ore, which ultimately brought exceptional profit. Thus, Penrose’s successful investments in the mining industry in Cripple Creek, as well as in Utah and Arizona, allowed him to afford to build a million-dollar hotel. It is certainly for the better that his business thrived, since otherwise, the Broadmoor would not have been the resort as we know it.
Besides the gold mining industry, Colorado Springs was also a place for people to heal from diseases, particularly tuberculosis. During the 19th century, many physicians believed that the climate had a direct impact on people’s health. Colorado was one of the most recommended places for treating illnesses, like tuberculosis, due to the semi-arid climate, clean air, fresh water, and sunshine. Moreover, the small city of Manitou had mineral water springs, which made the area even more appealing. Since tuberculosis was widespread all over the world, it is no wonder that people chose Colorado Springs for prevention and treatment of the disease. Many from the Northeast, where the climate is damp and cold and the city air polluted, relocated to the Pikes Peak region. As mentioned earlier, Wilcox, who founded the Broadmoor Dairy Farm, was one of those who moved to the Springs to treat his tuberculosis.
From the very beginning, the Broadmoor was like a spa resort, being close to the Manitou mineral waters and tuberculosis treatment centers in Colorado Springs. The favorable climate made the Broadmoor a recreational center that offered a swimming pool with mountain water and a Turkish spa. To this day, the Broadmoor remains exclusive and appealing with its branded spa, outdoor pools, and the famed Wilderness Experience.
The remarkable local scenery was the third reason for moving to the Pikes Peak region. Many people, including General William Palmer, fell in love with the Rocky Mountains for their beautiful terrain and numerous outdoor activities. Quite a few visited Colorado Springs to see Pikes Peak, which is described in one of our nation’s famous songs, “America the Beautiful,” written by Katherine Lee Bates while she stood on its summit. Besides Pikes Peak, the unforgettable Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, and Seven Falls were all within close proximity. Perhaps, the Broadmoor made these spectacular sites more well-known to the rest of the United States.
The Broadmoor instantly became highly successful as more visitors saw all the surrounding attractions. Penrose was aware that establishing attraction centers near the resort would increase the appeal. Thus, he built the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and established the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. In addition, Penrose organized the first automobile race up Pikes Peak and purchased the Manitou Incline and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. According to Turkel, Penrose “provid[ed] a level of service and overall experience as yet unattainable in the United States.” Clearly, the Broadmoor was a perfect place for people of all ages to enjoy and participate in numerous outdoor events.
At the Broadmoor itself, people enjoyed attractions such as the Ice Palace, Broadmoor Riding Arena, and the Broadmoor Golf Club. Additionally, the hotel offered outdoor entertainment, including fishing, rafting, and hiking. Since its opening in 1918, with the exception of the Great Depression and WWII, the Broadmoor has remained a hot spot for tourism. It has continued to add attractions over the years, including Ski Broadmoor, Golf and Tennis Club, and The Carriage Museum. These activities make the Broadmoor not just any other hotel but a worthwhile place to relax and enjoy the natural wonders of the Pikes Peak region.
In all likelihood, the Broadmoor will remain at the top of the best resorts in America due to its high standards, service, and attractions. It is no wonder that for the past 42 years, the hotel has received five-star awards from Forbes Travel Guide. The Broadmoor has been an excellent place for large social events, from meetings to weddings, and with all of its ongoing improvements, it stays alive and vibrant. Many celebrities, sportsmen, artists, and even a few presidents came here, including Roosevelt, Kennedy, Walt Disney, and Jimmy Stewart. Additionally, Julie Penrose invited such famous composers as Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky. All this helped contribute to the arts in Colorado Springs and raised the city’s standards and reputation. Along with Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, the Broadmoor is a gem that attracts tourists and famous figures alike.
To the present day, the Broadmoor and its idyllic location attract people from all over. Although people do not move here for gold mining or tuberculosis treatment, they still come here to enjoy the numerous activities and attractions Colorado Springs and the Broadmoor have to offer. Unlike many other resorts, the Broadmoor’s main building and grounds are open for the public to enjoy. Even though most people cannot afford staying at the hotel even for a couple of days, they can still take a stroll around the azure lake, go inside the hotel to look at the intricate interior designs and artwork, and visit the Carriage Museum for free. In this sense, the Broadmoor is not just a closed property for a wealthy minority. It’s valuable because it has stayed almost the same for a century, and we can witness a small piece of history here. Undoubtedly, the Broadmoor will continue to be popular among visitors as long as it keeps its traditions and legacy.
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Anna Damerau is a Colorado Springs native. She has studied piano and voice for years and intends to pursue a career as a professional musician. Anna performed at the Breckenridge Music Festival in 2016, and in July of 2018 played with the Colorado Symphony for “Mozart under Moonlight.” She is also an active member of Guardians of Palmer Park, which is a non-profit park maintenance organization. Her hobbies include reading, learning languages, drawing, and hiking.
