Pick up your FREE 12 page Official 37th Annual Territory Days program at Westside merchants and restaurants.
As the promoters and organizers of the 2012 TERRITORY DAYS Street Festival, my family and I would like to welcome you all to this wonderful celebration of the history of Old Colorado City and the spirit of the Old West. We hope you fully enjoy all that this great event has to offer!
We would like to thank all of our GREAT sponsors, the members of the Old Colorado City Associates Ltd. who own and operate the event, CSPD, CSFD and all the wonderful performers, vendors and exhibitors who make TERRITORY DAYS Colorado Springs largest and longest standing historic street festival.
We are all PROUD & HONORED to have this great event named as the “BEST FESTIVAL IN COLORADO SPRINGS for 2012” by the readers of the Gazette! This is truly a great honor and we thank all of you who voted on our behalf.
While all 3 days of this event are special, I want to pay particular Tribute and attention to those whom we are meant to honor on Monday. Of course, I refer to our Nations Fallen Military Veterans - the TRUE Heroes of our Country. After all the recent trials, tribulations losses and victories in the Middle East, I find it especially important to remember what Memorial Day is really all about.
Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000 which asks for all Americans, “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”
Please join us in Bancroft Park on Monday, May 28th at 3 p.m. as we gather to remember our nation’s fallen Heroes, and pay respect to those who have sacrificed their Freedom and their Lives so that we may enjoy our own as citizens of the GREATEST Country in the World.
God Bless you and yours, God Bless America and WELCOME to the 37th Annual Territory Days!
-J.F. Wear President, Pro Promotions Inc.
Welcome to the 2012 Territory Days celebration, hosted by Old Colorado City Associates, Ltd (OCCA), the merchant association for the West Side. Here’s a bit of our history.
In 1859, the small settlement of El Dorado, located at the eastern entrance to the pass, that went thru the mountains to the west, was renamed Colorado City, by its founders, and became the first permanent town in the Pikes Peak region.
Early settlers included farmers, ranchers, freighter and outfitters for the people who were rushing to the western minefields. By 1886, the Colorado Midland Railroad was one of the city’s largest employers, with headquarter offices, terminal, and repair yards located here.
A Glass Works was established in 1887, where bottles were made for Manitou Mineral Water, liquor, and wine, by Bohemian glass blowers. Anheuser Busch, Mayor Charles Stockbridge, and others, also bottled beer here at the turn of the century.
When Gold was discovered in 1891 at Cripple Creek, prosperity came from the four gold ore reduction mills, operating in Colorado City.
The town soon became more famous for its many Saloons and Brothels, while the hardworking residents were much more proud of their schools, The Carnegie Public Library, and the churches. As time went on, change was inevitable for Colorado City, and in 1917, it was annexed by Colorado Springs.
TODAY - With over 100 Fine Galleries, Specialty Shops, Boutiques, Museums, Restaurants, and services available, Historic Old Colorado City, has it all. The tree lined streets beckon you to stroll and enjoy the largest concentration of independent retail establishments in Colorado Springs. Enjoy turn of the century architecture and rich history from Colorado’s Gold Rush Days.
Enjoy the fun this weekend, remember our fallen brethren, and please do come back to Old Colorado City often. Shop, Dine, Discover – Historic Old Colorado City!
With warm regards,
Nelson Roseland
President, OCCA
ShopOldColoradoCity.com
