El Paso County, Colorado

Alamo Hotel Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Passenger Depot Barker House Bemis Hall Bemis, Judson Moss, House Black Forest School Black Squirrel Creek Bridge Boulder Crescent Place Historic District Briarhurst Bridge over Fountain Creek Burgess House Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District Calhan Rock Island Railroad Depot Carlton House Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission Chambers Ranch City Hall of Colorado City Claremont Cliff House Colorado Springs Airport Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway-Corley Mountain Highway Colorado Springs City Auditorium Colorado Springs City Hall Colorado Springs Day Nursery Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs Public Library-Carnegie Building Cossitt, Frederick H., Memorial Hall Cottonwood Creek Bridge Crystal Valley Cemetery Cutler Hall DeGraff Building Dodge-Hamlin House Drennan School Eastholme Edgeplain El Paso County Courthouse El Pomar Estate Emmanuel Presbyterian Church Evans, J.G., Barn Evergreen Cemetery First Congregational Church First Congregational Church First Presbyterian Church of Ramah Fort Collins Municipal Railway No. 22 Giddings Building Glen Eyrie Glen Eyrie (Boundary Increase) Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Gwynne-Love House Hagerman Mansion Keithley Log Cabin Development District Lennox House Lewis, Inez Johnson, School Lindley-Johnson-Vanderhoof House Little Fountain Creek Bridge Manitou Bathhouse Manitou Springs Bridges (2) Manitou Springs Historic District Maytag Aircraft Building McAllister House McGregor Hall Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse Miramont Montgomery Hall, Colorado College Monument Valley Park Navajo Hogan North Cheyenne Canon Park North End Historic District North Weber Street-Wahsatch Avenue Historic Residential District Old Colorado City Historic Commercial District Old Livery Stable Old North End Historic District (Boundary Increase) Palmer Hall Pauline Chapel People's Methodist Episcopal Church Pikes Peak Pioneer Cabin Plaza Hotel Ponderosa Lodge Rice, Ida M., House Second Midland School Shove Memorial Chapel Shrine of the Sun St. Mary's Catholic Church Stockbridge House Taylor Memorial Chapel Ticknor Hall United States Air Force Academy, Cadet Area US Post Office and Federal Courthouse-Colorado Springs Main US Post Office-Manitou Springs Main Van Briggle Pottery Company Wheeler Bank Wilson, S.A., Elementary School Wolfe, John, House Y.W.C.A.

El Paso County is located in the state of Colorado, in the United States. Its history dates back thousands of years to when Native American tribes, including the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne, inhabited the region. The area later became part of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century, and was explored by Spanish conquistadors searching for new trade routes. However, it wasn't until the early 1800s that European settlers began to establish permanent settlements in the area.

In 1858, gold was discovered in Colorado, igniting the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and attracting thousands of fortune-seekers to the region. This influx of people contributed to the establishment of El Paso County on November 1, 1861. The county was named after the El Paso del Norte, a pass through the southern Rocky Mountains that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, to El Paso, Texas.

During the late 19th century, railroads played a crucial role in the development of El Paso County. The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, completed in 1887, connected the county to other major cities in Colorado and allowed for the transportation of goods and people. With the railroad's arrival, the economy of El Paso County diversified, and agriculture, mining, and manufacturing became important industries.

The early 20th century saw the establishment of military presence in the county. In 1942, Camp Carson was built near Colorado Springs in response to World War II. The camp was later renamed Fort Carson and became an important military base, contributing to the county's economic growth. In addition, the establishment of the United States Air Force Academy in 1955 further solidified El Paso County's connection to the military.

Today, El Paso County is a thriving area with a diverse population and a strong economy. Its rich history, from its Native American roots to the gold rush and military presence, has shaped the county into what it is today.

Brief timeline of the history of El Paso County, Colorado:

1835 - El Paso County is established as part of the Mexican Territory of Santa Fe.
1848 - With the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the territory becomes part of the United States.
1859 - Gold is discovered in the area, resulting in a population boom.
1871 - Colorado Springs is founded.
1874 - The Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway is completed, connecting the county to the mining town of Cripple Creek.
1899 - The Broadmoor Hotel is built, becoming a popular destination for the rich and famous.
1917 - Camp Carson (now Fort Carson) is established as a U.S. Army installation.
1954 - The United States Air Force Academy is established in the county.
1962 - Interstate 25 is completed, providing improved transportation to and from the county.
1993 - The county experiences significant growth and development, becoming one of the fastest-growing areas in Colorado.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of El Paso County, Colorado.

Audiobooks about the history of Colorado.

El Paso County, Colorado

National Register Listings 95

Historical Markers 331

Brief timeline of the history of El Paso County, Colorado: