Lost & Preserved in Colorado Springs

From a wealthy, getaway tourist town, to a gold rush epicenter; to a tuberculosis respite, to the home of five military installations — the built landscape of Colorado Springs reflects its history of major industries and economic drivers. As the city celebrates 150 years, we revisit preserved, revitalized — and destroyed — iconic buildings. And ask: How can we create the future and honor the past?

[ian_davidson]

I love all your Rocky Mountain PBS programs! This one especially! To everyone that creates these Thank You!

[djrom]

Love the old pictures. I was born at the Air Force Academy in the 1960’s. My dad helped build NORAD and was also stationed at Ent and the Chidlaw building. Graduated from Taylor Elementary, North JHS, Mitchell HS, and UCCS. This will always be home. ♥️

[danielvalentin]

This place has changed soooo much as a child I remember Academy Blvd was dirt road, Powers Blvd was two lanes, race tracks out east, dog races and the flea market at the same place, Austin Bluffs mall, Walmart on Platte was A Drive-in Theatre, man this place changes daily it’s so hard to take in sometimes!!
Thank you RMPBS!!

[sapulpaorganics]

We moved to Colorado Springs in 1970 and lived in Village 7 until my mom bought a house off of Templeton Gap road. Acadamy Boulevard was the east side back then and still a two lane dirt road before it reached I-25. She got permission to go into the old Chief theatre to look around before they really started tearing it down and even got a few small parts of it. I still remember going through the tunnels and rooms under the old wooden stage....What an adventure that was!!!! Truly a shame so much of the wonderful history was torn down in the name of "progress"
This program is awesome and brought back a LOT of great memories for YOU RMPBS!!!

[lorascelsi]

History matters. love those old buildings.

[mag]

I lived in the springs since 66 now I'm in n.c.the changes I've seen aren't the changes I hoped for, enough said.

[nardclaar]

This is a wonderful program showing the changes in Colorado Springs and some of the great architecture that was lost with urban renewal. We have lost a lot of our history and finally learned a lesson almost too late. I have looked at some of the old maps when Colorado Springs was a small town and how it has grown in recent times.

[carolsalyers]

Very good program, but I wanted more! Was too short! Great photos and video clips. Well-done to all involved, and thank you for what you do to preserve our history.

[denisealmazar]

Wonderful program. I remember when they tore down so many of the old buildings down town. It was heart breaking. I remember going to the Chief Theater as a kid. It was so beautiful. I just couldn’t believe they tore it down. I’m glad there were some buildings saved!

[mancaveveteran]

I got here in 2004 and loved it. I saw myself staying for a long time but now it it is time to go. I had always dreamed of living in CO but it it turning into CA. Planning my move out within two years.

[jwigglesw]

I grew up on E. Las Animas Street, and Prospect Lake was our swimming place. East of that was only prairie and cattle grazing. When I was 11 years old in 1965, we would go to Palmer Park lookout, and north of Palmer Park was nothing at all. The Cinema 70 at Platte and Chelton was the only building standing surrounded by empty fields. Newly constructed Academy and Platte overpass, way out in the countryside, had no traffic and it was so silent I could hear crickets. I miss my small hometown, and the prairie on the way to where I was born, Fort Carson, in 1954. There was rangeland and cattle grazing all the way there on highway 115 and no houses. Academy Boulevard was a two lane country road, again with cattle grazing on both sides of the road all the way up to the Dublin House on Dublin and Academy, which stood all by itself in the boondocks.

[JSodosky]

Fascinating. PBS always does a great job on their documentaries and this is no exception.

[RobKnapp]

Thank you
, I watch Colorado Experience on RMPBS every Thursday . I am born and raised in our glorious city known as Colorado Springs . I found this episode particularly engaging . Blessing every body :)

[charler]

Another masterpiece production of Rocky Mountain Public Media!! THANK YOU.

[meanmoose]

Most beautiful Town ever most beautiful city ever my favorite hometown in the world Colorado springs

[chrismyers]

Such an awesome video! THANK YOU!!

Let’s keep the Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs!

[slymecookies]

Interesting, I've lived here over 10 years and didn't know a lot of this. Really enjoyed the old pics and videos, thanks.

[christie]

This was a wonderful short documentary about my Hometown thank you

[barryyoungco]

One encouraging note from this documentary was the mention of Lowell School. A nice example of stone architecture, my great-grandfather's company built it. I am glad it was preserved. Other buildings he built- Hagerman Hall for example, did not fare so well.

[rongenung]

Colorado Springs is my hometown. I moved away in July 1972. I lived through the tragic demolition of some of its beautiful structures---most notably the beautiful Antlers Hotel and the Chief Theater. At the time we were appalled and angered by their destruction, and what was put up in their place was NOT an improvement---even to this day. Even the Hidden Inn in the Garden of the Gods is gone---a lovely structure that blended seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The downtown shopping district is also gone---including my favorite---the Chinook Bookshop. Now they are even building homes up the sides of the Front Range in Pike National Forest. Back in 1971-72, there were placards saying "Don't Californicate Colorado Springs." That is precisely what has been done.