A Brief History of Military Bases in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has a rich history that spans centuries. Once the homeland of the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho people, the territory saw a huge influx of people during the gold rush in the 1800s. However it was World War II that really changed the face of Colorado Springs and gave it its rich military legacy that still thrives today.

The Birth of Colorado Springs as a Military Community

Immediately prior to World War II, the Colorado Springs economy was in decline. The city was once known for its gold mining, but the federal price cap on gold hampered mining efforts. Colorado Springs was also touted as a spa town, but the increasing availability of penicillin negated the need for retreats. In addition, the Great Depression nearly put an end to tourism.

In 1941, the business community made a revolutionary decision that would change the city forever. In an effort to help the war effort and bolster the economy, the Military Affairs Council bought a plot of ranchland south of the city and offered it for free to the War Department. In return they lobbied to have Camp Carson built on the land.

The council’s efforts paid off and Camp Carson was completed in early 1942. Throughout the war, the camp was a crucial training complex and an internment center for prisoners of war. It also provided much needed employment for thousands of civilians. After the war, Colorado Springs continued to donate land to the military and became an important center for the United States Air Force and Space Force.

Military Bases in Colorado Springs

Fort Carson

Fort Carson was established in 1942 as Camp Carson. It was built on land donated to the War Department and named after General Christopher Carson, an Army scout who explored large swathes of the American West. Throughout World War II, over 100,000 soldiers trained at Camp Carson. The camp was also home to thousands of prisoners of war. After the war, the camp was designated Fort Carson and expanded to include an airfield and additional training areas.

Peterson Space Force Base

The Peterson Space Force Base was originally built as an air support base for Camp Carson in 1942. It was formerly known as the Peterson Air Field and Peterson Air Force Base. Throughout its history it has provided training for fighter pilots, bombers, and space training. Today the base is the headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the United States Northern Command, Space Systems Command, and the 21st Space Wing.

United States Air Force Academy 

Construction of the United States Air Force Academy began in 1954 and the first class of cadets graduated in June,1959. The program is based on four major tenets: military training, athletics, academics and character development. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Space Force or U.S. Air Force. The Academy only admits about 1,200 cadets a year, making it highly competitive.

Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station

Construction of Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station began in 1961 in Cheyenne Mountain on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. During the Cold War, operations were moved underground to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, which sits under 2,000 feet of granite. Today the station is home to the United States Space Command’s Missile Warning Center. The complex has its own power plant, water supply, fitness center, parks and sports facilities.

Schriever Space Force Base

Located east of Colorado Springs and Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base was established in 1983. It was named after General Bernard A. Schriever, who was instrumental in the development of ballistic missile programs in the United States. Today the base is home to the 50th Space Wing of the United States Space Force.

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