For this tour we have two tour times, limited to 35 persons each:
Tour #1: Registration at 3:30, tour 4-5:30 PM
Tour #2: Registration at 5:30, tour 6-7:30 PM
Members are free. Non-Members $10
YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR TOUR #2 starting at 6PM
About the Tour: Winfield Scott Stratton came to Colorado Springs after the Civil War and started as a carpenter. Later he filed two claims on mines in Cripple Creek. On one he struck gold and became wealthy through selling The Independence Mine for $10 million. After acquiring such wealth, he was said to have stated that “No man needs more than $100,000”. He eventually donated the land on which City Hall was built as well as the downtown Post Office, The Court House and the Mining Exchange Building. He also founded the Interurban Railway Company—the precursor to the transit system in Colorado Springs. He was known to hand out money to people who needed it around town.
He founded and donated $6 million for a self-contained property dedicated to underprivileged children—orphans and children needing assistance—a “dignified and caring home”–with the other side of the campus dedicated to serving the elderly, including housing, medical care, food, etc. The home was incorporated in 1909 and opened in 1913. He wanted it named after his father, Myron Stratton—even though the two had been involved in many disagreements over the years. A huge property, this was to be a self contained community, with its own power plant, farm, ranch—an “island onto itself”.
In recent years as the emphasis has been on assisting needy youth through the foster care system, no youth currently reside on the property. Instead, several offices for groups who help the disadvantaged (Peak Vista, TESSA, Partners in Housing) have offices on the grounds, and there are facilities for the elderly, everything from cottages and apartments to nursing care. Still, through the many changes and the years, the area (and buildings) keeps its charm—with murals in some of the buildings and beautiful grounds and trees. Brenda, our guide, has a wealth of information, loves this place, and is a great guide!
HPA Coordinator:
Tour Guide: Our tour guide is Brenda Emilio, who lived as a child at the home in the 1970s and has worked there since 2006 in maintenance and planting the wonderful flowers/landscaping on the grounds.
Waiver: All attendees must sign the updated 2024 HPA Liability Waiver. DOWNLOAD HERE and bring with you or sign at the venue.
Address: 555 Goldpass Heights: Going south on I-25, take exit 140 for Nevada (Hwy 115), then south past Lake Avenue and Wildridge Apartments (to the east). See large entrance sign and gate for the Home to your east. (or can take South Circle Dr to the west, past I-25 to SH-115) You will be on Deerhorn Ridge Grove, take first right to the Administration Building #555 (see signs), you will see parking spots. Additional parking near the shop/maintenance building/garages. Meet at the main building.
Disabled Access: Yes. Wheelchairs can take an alternate route during some of the walking.
Bathrooms: Yes
Please note: 2024 Summer Tour Update:
We are excited to announce the tours for the upcoming 2024 Summer Series! The HPA, in appreciation of our member’s support, is prioritizing reservations when attendance limitations apply. Reservations will be taken on a first come first serve basis by signing up for your preferred tours below. This also means that members will be given a place before “guests” or non-members. If a member wishes to include a guest, that guest will be put on the wait list until and if a cancellation occurs and they are first on the wait list. We will email everyone who has a reservation before each tour to confirm that they still intend to attend. Cancellations will be handled on the website and through the link provided in your confirmation email.
Our member supported non-profit organization has grown over the past 25 years since our launch in 1999 to become the leading voice for historic preservation in the Pikes Peak region through advocacy, education, events and strategic alliances.