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History

Palmer Lake and Monument: Past, Present & Future

The Tri-Lakes area sits on the Palmer-Divide, which is the highest point of elevation on the Front Range, a geological ridge that separates runoff going to the Arkansas River from that flowing to the Platte River. The area’s first inhabitants were native-American tribes such as the Arapahoe, Utes and Cheyenne, followed by the American military, and soon after, migrating ranchers and farmers.

The first settlers arrived in the Palmer Lake area in the 1860s. Nestled in the foothills, the town of Palmer Lake was platted in 1882 by Dr. William Finley Thompson, a dentist from Baltimore, who intended it to be a health resort and vacation community. The late 1800s saw the rise of the Chautauqua—part of a national movement to bring education and culture to the average American.

During its time, a whole development arose near Palmer Lake around a large meeting hall. After Chautauqua faded in the early 1920s, the area maintained an agrarian lifestyle, with industries ranging from ice harvesting to fox farms and sawmills. The Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad climbs the divide and passes through Palmer Lake where the town’s rustic character is coupled with a magnificent red rock mountain landscape.

Monument’s first homesteaders arrived in 1865 to mark out the town’s preliminary shape. Incorporated in 1879, it was first called Henry’s Station after Henry Limbach, one of the original settlers. Its name was changed to Monument when the Denver & Rio Grande railroad came through in 1870, linking Denver and Colorado Springs. Today, Monument’s historic district still reflects an era of bygone days with its small-town character.

Black Forest

Towering ponderosa pines with panoramic Rocky Mountain views fill the landscape throughout Black Forest.

Originally called The Pinery, it was renamed by a German immigrant who thought it closely resembled the Black Forest of his homeland. Around the turn of the century, Black Forest was an important source of railroad ties and the lumber that built the Pikes Peak region.

Today, residents enjoy housing areas that are typically made up of one to ten acres with many 35-acre sites. Black Forest offers miles of wilderness trails for horseback riding, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Gleneagle and Woodmoor

Originally intended to be residential areas serving Air Force Academy staff and military retirees, Woodmoor and Gleneagle have grown into thriving communities.

Since the mid-1980s, many of the open space areas have been replaced with housing developments offering newcomers amenities such as shopping, golf courses, parks and trails that complement their rural setting. Both communities offer vistas of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range.

While the Tri-Lakes area is changing in character, it still maintains much of the rich heritage that has molded it into the success it is today. The hidden treasures of each of the areas blend perfectly with their surroundings, fusing to create a unique blend of small-town atmosphere and modern development.