A World of Inspiration

Spencer Penrose made his fortune in mining after partnering with his friend, Charles Leaming Tutt. They were able to extract gold in Cripple Creek from the C.O.D. mine. Spencer later created the Colorado-Philadelphia Reduction Company to process gold ore from the mountains that was brought down by train to Colorado Springs. He ultimately made the bulk of his fortune from open pit Copper Mining in Utah after advice from his geologist brother.

Julie Villiers McMillan arrived in Colorado Springs in 1900 with a husband and two young children from their home in Detroit. Both were from affluent families. Unfortunately, Jim McMillan had contracted tuberculosis in the Spanish American war, so Colorado Springs was the place to convalesce. She was active in the community, and they ultimately built a roomy home on Dale street and moved into it early in 1902. The unthinkable happened when Julie lost her son, Jimmy, to appendicitis and then 5 weeks later her husband to tuberculosis. After burying her family in Detroit, she made her way back to Colorado Springs.

Spencer Penrose was an avowed bachelor, but he met his match when Julie Penrose set her sights on him after 2 years of mourning. She would send her maid and cook to care for him and he would accompany her to social events. In 1906 while taking her daughter, Gladys, to Europe to enroll her in a boarding school, Julie and Spencer found themselves on the same ship. Whether it was planned or destiny, they traveled to the French Rivera together along with the rest of their parties and he ultimately proposed to her. They were married in London on April 28, 1906, and toured Europe for their honeymoon. This was a precursor to their love of travel.

Meanwhile, in 1890, Prussian Count James Pourtales had formed the Broadmoor Land and Investment Company and purchased the original 2,400-acre tract (where The Broadmoor would eventually be built). To entice people to buy lots on that land, Pourtales built The Broadmoor Casino, which opened July 1, 1891. On May 9, 1916, Spencer Penrose purchased The Broadmoor Casino and Hotel's 40-acre site and an adjoining 400 acres.

Using the New York architectural and design firm Warren and Wetmore, Penrose began constructing The Broadmoor Main complex on May 20, 1917. To create the most beautiful resort in the world, Spencer and Julie hired a team of architects and designers who imported artisans from Italy and other European countries. They were responsible for the ornate moldings and paintings that adorn The Broadmoor's interior and the elaborate exterior detailing. Italian Renaissance in style, the original Broadmoor resort was designed with four wings and completed in June 1918.

The resort officially opened on June 29, 1918. Architectural and design features of the "new" resort included a spectacular curved marble staircase, dramatic chandeliers, Della Robbia-style tile, hand-painted beams and ceilings, a carved marble fountain, and a striking pink stucco façade. Penrose charged each employee with providing a level of service and overall experience unattainable in the United States but expected throughout Europe.

The genius of Spencer Penrose was not limited to the construction and operation of a world-class resort. He built the Pikes Peak Road to the summit as an alternative to the Cog Railway and in 1916 established the Pikes Peak Hill Climb to advertise the upcoming opening of The Broadmoor Hotel. In 1925, Penrose purchased and modernized the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which became one of his most enduring legacies. Penrose also established the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, still considered one of the finest privately owned zoos in the United States.

Polo was a mainstay for the guests that stayed at The Broadmoor along with over 75 miles of horseback trails. He also built a road to the top of Cheyenne Mountain and the Cheyenne Mountain Lodge and the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. A few years later he built a large riding arena to host the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo behind the lake and next to the Ice Palace.

After seeing Sonja Henie skate and win gold in the 1928 Olympics, Spencer turned the indoor riding arena into The Broadmoor Ice Palace which became a home for many Olympic stars.

While Spencer worked on the amenities of the resort, Julie Penrose wanted to make sure visitors had access to fine art, music, and theater. In 1919 her original home on Dale Street became the Broadmoor Art Academy and ultimately became the Fine Art Center for Colorado Springs. She was also deeply spiritual and had Pauline Chapel built in 1918 and named after her only granddaughter during a time of war in Europe. She worked to sponsor and renovate the Central City Opera and started a grand tradition of summer opera in 1932.