LET'S GO FIRST CLASS across America: Part 1

Time for some vacation travel. Let's check out some hotels via some vintage post cards.

First stop Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor.

Click on either image to see it larger.

Does the hotel still exist? Yes indeed, and it's going to put you back a pretty penny.

The Broadmoor is a 5-star/5-diamond luxury hotel and resort, located in southwestern Colorado Springs, Colorado. Built in the early 20th century as the "Grand Dame of the Rockies", it was one of the finest resort destinations along the Rocky Mountains during the age of railroads. The hotel sits at an elevation of 6230 feet (1900 m) above sea level.

History

The resort dates from 1891, when it began as a small hotel and casino. The current resort was built in 1918 by Charles L. Tutt and Spencer Penrose, a Philadelphia entrepreneur whose brother was Senator Boies Penrose. Nicknamed "Spec" for skill at speculation, Spencer Penrose amassed a fortune from mining claims at nearby Cripple Creek, and after a grand tour through Europe's finest hostelries, decided to build one, with no expense spared. The hotel attracted a wealthy clientele in the early 20th century, drawn to the beauty of Pikes Peak, as well as to the mountain air which aided recuperation from tuberculosis. Penrose was so pleased with the Broadmoor that in 1937 he completed nearby a monument to its creator — his tomb, taking the rather novel form of an 80-foot hilltop observation tower which overlooks the resort. Persuaded not to name the structure after himself, it is instead called the "Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun," honoring Penrose's friend who died in a plane crash in 1935, during construction of the tomb.

The Broadmoor has over 700 rooms, 18 restaurants and cafes, 3 golf courses, and a world-class spa. The El Pomar Carriage House Museum houses an extensive collection of vintage carriages and automobiles on-site. The Penrose Room, named after Spencer Penrose, is the only Five-Diamond dining in Colorado. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

This card has two publishers: C. T. Art-Colortone (Curt Teich) and Sanborn Souvenir Co.

And now, as to that Cripple Creek reference...no, it's not the same one, but who cares.

Tomorrow...Florida.