Let's take a look at this glorious castle. Enclosed are some informational bits from my trip there and from research. Truth, research was to remember some details to tell you folks. Their tours can be pretty educational, especially the short video you watch before commencing the tour. And these tours don't break your bank for a decent tourist history lesson of Colorado Springs.
(yes it really does expand that far. section to the left is grand hall)
This castle was built for General William Palmer in 1871. He is the individual who founded Colorado Springs. Downtown there is even a statue of him next to the school named in his honor. Him and his wife, Mary (also known as Queen), bore three children. Miss Queen lived in the home for only a short time before she suffered a mild heart attack. To which doctors suggested she move to lower altitudes. In this move, she took the children with her.
The castle was built/rebuilt in three stages. Growing larger and larger with each passing. Some features of the home were main focuses upon the rebuilding. Certain fire places still remain from the first design.
His first child was one to be taught in her own private schooling house. Stories say he feared her safety, so he kept her close to home.
The house....I'm sorry, castle contained, in final building, 17 guest rooms and 7 meeting rooms. There were even private bedrooms for William Palmer and Queen. Although, she sadly never used it.
Today the castle is used for tours, meetings, tea lunches, etc. You begin your tour in the carriage house, which is accompanied by the long tunnel servants used to connect the two.
I hope that you all enjoy the bits of photos I have enclosed from my own person tour! (I'd also like to state that my research came from wikipedia.)
Imagine your backyard with this scenery....
Glances inside....
I can't get over these wood designs!!!!!!
Now this next photo had pretty neat info. What you are looking at is a special fire designed door to cut off part of the house for safety. Palmer was apparently big on fire safety. He actually had specially hidden water pipes running through all flours of the house.
