Table of Contents
- 1 Why is there a Will Rogers Shrine in Colorado Springs?
- 2 What is the castle above Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
- 3 Where is Spencer Penrose buried?
- 4 Can you drive up Cheyenne Mountain?
- 5 Who is buried in Will Rogers Shrine Colorado Springs?
- 6 When was Cheyenne Mountain built?
- 7 Where is Will Rogers Shrine on Cheyenne Mountain?
- 8 How tall is Will Rogers Shrine in Colorado?
- 9 Where are the tombs of Will Rogers located?
Why is there a Will Rogers Shrine in Colorado Springs?
It exists as a dedication to Will Rogers, a famous American humorist who perished when his plane crashed during the tower’s construction in 1935. The Shrine can be reached by traveling 1.4 miles up the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo entrance.
What is the castle above Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, an operating legacy of El Pomar Foundation, is located on the side of Cheyenne Mountain at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Just above the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, it provides an impressive panoramic view of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
Can you drive to Will Rogers Shrine?
The road to the Shrine of the Sun is drive-up only; no walking or biking is permitted (except during Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s annual Run to the Shrine).
Where is Spencer Penrose buried?
Spencer Penrose
| Birth | 2 Nov 1865 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA |
|---|---|
| Death | 7 Dec 1939 (aged 74) Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA |
| Burial | Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun Chapel Crypt Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA |
| Memorial ID | 6796236 · View Source |
Can you drive up Cheyenne Mountain?
A “hidden gem” is the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway. It takes you to the Will Rodgers Shrine inside the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It’s only a 1.4-mile drive up the mountain and it provides amazing views of Colorado Springs. Enjoy these breathtaking drives near Colorado Springs!
Can you drive to the top of Pikes Peak today?
The Pikes Peak Highway is open year-round, weather permitting. If there is ever a situation where the weather would make driving the road dangerous, the Pikes Peak Highway will be closed.
Who is buried in Will Rogers Shrine Colorado Springs?
The remains of Spencer and Julie Penrose are interred in the chapel along with two friends, Spencer’s social secretary, Horace Devereaux, and Larry Leonard. Eastern works of art include a standing bronze statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin wearing rosary beads and three Buddha statues.
When was Cheyenne Mountain built?
1961
| Cheyenne Mountain Complex | |
|---|---|
| Controlled by | Peterson-Schriever Garrison |
| Site history | |
| Built | May 18, 1961 – February 8, 1966 |
| In use | Cheyenne Mountain Complex NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex (January 20, 1965) |
What is the prettiest drive in Colorado?
Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is one of the most spectacular drives in all of Colorado, and ranks up there as one of the top in the world.
Where is Will Rogers Shrine on Cheyenne Mountain?
Will Rogers Shrine is uniquely situated on the side of Cheyenne Mountain. Visitors should prepare for unpredictable weather conditions and bring their own water. The Shrine’s interior rooms, the chapel and restrooms are only accessible by stairs.
How tall is Will Rogers Shrine in Colorado?
Built by Spencer Penrose between 1934 and 1937, it stands dedicated to Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash in 1935. The elevation of the Will Rogers Shrine is 8,136 feet on the top deck and provides breathtaking views of Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak Region and Eastern Plains.
Who is in the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun?
Aside from an observation tower, the Shrine also serves as the tomb of Spencer Penrose and his wife, Julie. Spencer was also responsible for building most of the neighboring Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as well as the Broadmoor Resort located nearby.
Where are the tombs of Will Rogers located?
Additionally, photographs of Will Roger’s life are displayed in the stairways and enclaves. The tombs of Julie and Spencer Penrose can be found in the Shrine’s chapel, accessible through a separate entrance in the lower level of the Shrine. In the 1940s, Julie Penrose decorated the chapel with 15 th and 16 th century religious relics.