Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
Encyclopedia
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, also known as Will Rogers Shrine or 5EP2175, is the tomb
which holds the ashes of Spencer Penrose
(1865–1939), a philanthropist who contributed many of the most prominent landmarks in Colorado Springs
, including the neighboring Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
and the Broadmoor Hotel
. Completed by Penrose in 1937, it takes the form of an 80-foot observation tower
on the side of Cheyenne Mountain
. It overlooks the Broadmoor Hotel, and from the tower one can see the entire Colorado Springs
metropolitan area and Garden of the Gods
.
Persuaded not to name the structure after himself, Penrose instead named it in honor of his friend, Will Rogers
, the American humorist who died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935, during construction of the tomb.
The shrine is open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The price of admission is included in the cost of tickets to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1994.
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
which holds the ashes of Spencer Penrose
Spencer Penrose
Spencer Penrose was a philanthropist in and around Colorado Springs at the turn of the 20th century. He was born into a prominent Philadelphia family of Cornish descent and was brother to Boies Penrose and Richard Penrose...
(1865–1939), a philanthropist who contributed many of the most prominent landmarks in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, including the neighboring Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a mountainside zoo, located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States at an elevation of above sea level. The Zoo sits on out of a footprint. It is located west of the Broadmoor Hotel Resort along the slopes of Cheyenne...
and the Broadmoor Hotel
Broadmoor Hotel
The Broadmoor is a 5-star/5-diamond luxury hotel and resort, located in southwestern Colorado Springs, Colorado. Built in the early 20th century as the "Grand Dame of the Rockies", it was one of the finest resort destinations along the Rocky Mountains during the age of railroads. It continues to be...
. Completed by Penrose in 1937, it takes the form of an 80-foot observation tower
Observation tower
An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision. They are usually at least tall and made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches...
on the side of Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain is a mountain located just outside the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., and is home to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and its Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly known as the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center .Throughout the Cold War and...
. It overlooks the Broadmoor Hotel, and from the tower one can see the entire Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
metropolitan area and Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.-Genesis of the park:Entrance to the park is free according to the wish of Charles Elliott Perkins, whose children donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909....
.
Persuaded not to name the structure after himself, Penrose instead named it in honor of his friend, Will Rogers
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
, the American humorist who died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935, during construction of the tomb.
The shrine is open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The price of admission is included in the cost of tickets to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1994.
External links
- Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun official site
- History of Spencer Penrose