By Jeffrey V. Smith
Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls cascading over solid granite cliffs near Colorado Springs, has been known as the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado” since it was developed into a scenic resort in the 19th century. It became one of the state’s first natural landmarks to be protected from development, and is the only waterfall in Colorado listed in the National Geographic list of International Waterfalls.
Located in South Cheyenne Canyon, Seven Falls cascades 181 feet down a solid cliff of pink granite in seven separate “steps.” Fresh mountain water from the Pikes Peak watershed has carved the canyon into a unique scenic masterpiece.
Seven Falls on South Cheyenne Creek already had its 224-step stairway when photographed by famed photographer William Henry Jackson in 1882. Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Collection, WHJ-174
Nathaniel Colby homesteaded about 160 acres of South Cheyenne Canyon, including the falls, in late 1872 but nine months later sold the land to the Colorado Springs Land Company for $1,000.
Little happened to the land, which changed hands several times, until 1882, when James Hull purchased the property for $1,300. Hull was considered an early naturalist in part because he sought to protect the land from loggers who threatened the natural beauty of the area. Hull had previously purchased 160 acres west of Seven Falls and later obtained 80 more acres in 1885 by preemption. The 400 acres he owned and protected, including the falls, made Hull one of Colorado’s earliest environmental defenders.
Despite his environmentalist tendencies, Hull was, at heart, businessman who understood the financial value of his new acquisition. He soon built a road through the canyon to Seven Falls, including a tollgate its mouth to collect fees, and advertised the property as a scenic resort. He also built a very long stairway next to falls to create a unique attraction and vantage points for viewing the falls up close.
The infamous, 224-step stairway still climbs the canyon directly adjacent to the falls. In addition to a close view of the falls, the stairs reach trails at the top that lead to “Midnight Falls” and “Inspiration Point,” which offers a spectacular view of Colorado Springs and the plains.
Carriages, burros and saddle horses — rented to visitors by a local entrepreneur who paid a concession to Hull — provided early access to the ranch and increased its popularity. Seven Falls quickly became a leading tourist attraction and brought to the area prominent visitors who came to the resort for its beauty and the health benefits of a dry, sunny climate and clean mountain air. Helen Hunt Jackson, an American writer and champion of Native American rights, was among its celebrity visitors. Another waterfall, located below Seven Falls, was named in her memory and her gravesite is located above the falls.
Seven Falls continues to be a popular attraction today.
In 1905 the property, then owned by Hull’s sons and totaling 1,400 acres, was sold to C.D. Weimer for $250,000. Frances Weimer, who later became a longtime arts supporter and manager of several family businesses in Colorado Springs, was heavily involved in the co-management of Seven Falls which her family owned until they sold it in 1946 to Albert G. Hill.
Hill, a Texas oilman who lived in Colorado as a youth and attended Colorado College, installed lighting to highlight the canyon’s geologic formations after dark in 1947. It is still known as the only fully lit canyon in the world. He also constructed the Eagle’s Nest observation platform on the south wall of the canyon. Although a funicular carried guests to the platform for many years, an elevator was added in 1992 thanks to Hill’s daughter Lyda, Seven Fall’s current owner, and a shaft created by more than 3,600 sticks of dynamite.
Hill, who created the largest travel agency in Dallas and sold it 15 years later, has been president and CEO of Seven Falls and Hill Development Corporation — which is active in real estate, tourism, club management and oil and gas exploration – since 1982. She was instrumental in redeveloping the visitor’s center at Garden of the Gods and has developed a reputation for transforming historically significant places back into major tourist attractions.
Seven Falls is located approximately 10 minutes from downtown Colorado Springs via Cheyenne Blvd. and is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Years Day. From mid-May to Labor Day, the entire canyon is illuminated in a display of colorful lights. During the summer, Native American dances are performed hourly. From May 28-Aug. 8, the attraction is open 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., and from Aug. 9-Sept. 6 it closes an hour earlier at 9:30 p.m.
Visit www.sevenfalls.com or call 719-632-0752 for more information and entrance fees.
