"Bloomer Girl" - Colorado Springs, Colorado - Colorado Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Marker Text:
In 1858, a young woman from Kansas climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak. Julia Archibald Holmes was the first Anglo woman on record to make the climb, and she became famous for that accomplishment as well as for the way she did it.
Julia had arrived at the base of Pikes Peak with the Lawrence Party searching for gold. In late July, 1858, they camped near here and spread out to explore the nearby streams. Two of their group (William Hartley and AC Wright,) recorded their signatures on the red sandstone of the Garden of the Gods. Although their search for gold was largely unsuccessful, their explorations and those of the Russell Party near Denver, led to the “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold rush of 1859.

Julia was called the “Bloomer Girl,” because of her choice of clothing-the new “American Costume”-no corset, with pants or pantaloons worn beneath a calf-or knee-high skirt. They had walked across the Great Plains, and as they neared the Rocky Mountains, Julia was stunned by her first view of the summit of Pikes Peak.

Group or Groups Responsible for Placement: Colorado Springs City Parks County or City: Colorado Springs Date Dedicated: Not listed Check here for Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
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