With the railroads pushing ever further west, General W. J. Palmer founded the city of Colorado Springs in 1871 as a stop for his Denver and Rio Grande railroad.  Repeatedly requesting that his friend, Charles Perkins, come visit the area, William Palmer hoped that he would connect Colorado Springs with Chicago by railroad.  Charles Perkins was the president of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad at the time and was a good friend of William Palmer.  Charles Perkins finally came out to visit the area in 1878 and fell in love with the area just as William Palmer had predicted.  Upon his return to Chicago, Charles began purchasing the land in and around the Garden of the Gods, and was officially purchased 1879.  The land was willed to the city at the time of his death for a city park with the stipulation that it would always be free to the public.  He felt that beauty of this magnitude should be for everyone, not just the wealthy.

            Formation of Garden of the Gods began about 300 million years ago.  Sediment under a great shallow sea was stained red from ferric iron.  About 60 million years ago, when the Rocky Mountains began their upward movement, the sea dried up and softer, upper layers were stripped away from millions of years of erosion.  The reddened sedimentary rocks where also trust up to vertical or near vertical positions which have resulted in the modern Garden of the Gods.  Evidence of these red rocks can be found all along the Front Range including Perry Park, and Red Rocks Park west of Denver. 

            Archeological evidence in the form of fire pits as well as pottery has been found within the park and has been dated back to 3,300 years ago.  Animal bones of Buffalo, Elk, Antelope, Deer, and other large animals have been found around the fire pits.  It is believed that ancient people lived in the area because of the abundant animal life as well as the protection the rocks provided from the elements.  There is some speculation that the area may have had a spiritual importance to them as well, but this has been speculation only as no evidence has been found to support it.  In the morning and evening, the rocks turn a brilliant bright red due to the light refraction of the rising or setting sun.

            Made up of a number of sandstone rock formations with an abundance of plant and animal life, Garden of the Gods is a breathtaking park that is accessible to everyone as it is still free to the public.  Whether you want to hike, bike, drive, or horseback ride, there is plenty of opportunities for exploration as there are many miles of trails and roads to take as well as many wheelchair accessible trials.  In addition to the many trails that are available within the park are the guided tours and presentations on plant and animal life within the park as well as geological and archeological talks.  The park has been the subject of many photographers since its discovery and continues to intrigue and inspire professional and amateur photographers.  The best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset when the rocks come alive with a brilliant red hue.

            In order to get to the Garden of the Gods take I-25 to Colorado Springs and then West on Fillmore Street.  Turn North on Mesa Road and then South on North 30^th Street which will take you into the North end of the park.  The other way is to take I-25 then West on Highway 24.  Turn North on Ridge Road and it will take you right into the South end of the park.