Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun — Attraction in Colorado Springs

The Will Rogers Memorial Shrine of the Sun, also known as the Will Rogers Shrine, is a magnificent piece of architecture, a 100-foot, five-story, observation tower on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that overlooks Colorado Springs, the Broadmoor resort and the Garden of the Gods. It is a commemorative tower and chapel that is named after Will Rogers, the American humorist who died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 during construction of the shrine. Rogers isn't buried here. But the shrine does contain the tomb of noted philanthropist and developer Spencer Penrose, who built many of the city's prominent properties, including the neighboring Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Broadmoor. The shrine was completed in 1937 at a height of 8,136 feet above seal level. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its artistic and architectural qualities. The building is a Romanesque Revival style with buttresses, an ornately decorated iron and brass door and narrow leaded windows. It is constructed of granite, steel, cement, iron and brass. Its roof was built of ceramic title. There were no nails or wood used in its construction. The interior has terrazzo floors, marble and ironwork. Stairs lead to the upper floors. The shrine is partly named for the views of the rising and setting sun. Will Rogers is memorialized in images of his life displayed throughout the interior. In addition, the Pikes Peak region's history is depicted in a 340-square-foot mural by Randall Davey, an artist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. And a statue of Will Rogers by Jo Davidson and a bronze bust of Spencer Penrose by Avard Fairbanks. Davey painted murals on the first floor of the monument and the first two levels of the stairway, illustrating scenes of Native Americans, Zebulon Pike's travels, Cripple Creek mining, Colorado Springs founder William Jackson Palmer and Spencer Penrose. The next three floors contain a photographic history of Will Rogers from his early childhood days in Oklahoma through his time on stage, screen and radio. The last mural is of Rogers and aviator Wiley Post taken just prior to their fatal crash. It's an interesting look at one of the most popular figures of the 20th century. The grounds are kept impeccably clean and the views are...

Great view, the guide was super nice and knowledgeable. First let me say it kind of annoys me that the zoo doesn’t tell anyone about this place or advertise in anyway. If you buy a ticket for the Zoo you can pass through the gate to go to the Shrine. If you have 4 people in the car you have to have 4 Zoo tickets though. Also your Zoo ticket is good for 2 weeks to go to the Shrine. I wish i knew that before buying one on Monday and again on Thursday. The Shrine is very well cared for, they maintain the road up even in the winter months. There are clean restrooms in the building in the parking lot. The drive up is not scary just go slow and watch for cars coming around the narrow corners. The view is so cool! Ask the guide questions, it was so great chatting and learning from him. He pointed out all the sights that have plaques and explained a lot to me. It’s called the Shrine of the Sun because it is the first point the sun hits as it raises and the last thing as it sets. So cool. The stairs are not bad at all, there is a landing at each level to pause if you need to go slow and catch your breath. The shrine plays music every 15 mins and a whole song at certain hours each day. Such at fun little thing to do if you are already at the Zoo,...

The Will Rogers Shrine known also as Shrine of the Sun, is sort of a mausoleum tower and chapel on the Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. Although named after Will Rogers a motion picture actor, American cowboy and newspaper columnist, the original intent was to be the burial ground of Spencer Penrose a businessman and entrepreneur of Colorado Springs and his wife Julie. After a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 that killed Will Rogers at a premature age, the Penrose burial place, which was still under construction, was changed to be the Will Rogers Shrine by an incredible gesture by his close friend Spencer Penrose. The chapel under the tower is also a tomb for the remains of Spencer Penrose and his wife Julie. The shire is a beautiful peaceful place with a gorgeous view of Colorado Springs from the top of the tower. The exhibits is several of the rooms going up the tower is a memorial of the work accomplished by Will Rogers throughout his life and a remainder of the fragility of life, as Will Rogers died at the age of 55. A great place to visit. Definitely a must if you are visiting...