The
Pike expedition opened the central-west and southwest region to trade and the growth of industry and settlements. In 1870, Palmer created the
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) and envisioned connecting Denver south to a new resort community and eventually to Mexico. He founded Colorado Springs along
Monument Creek, due east of Pikes Peak, where mineral springs had been reported. The local newspaper detailed how mineral water was piped to the D&RG depot in 1871, but those improvements were lost in periodic flooding along the shifting creek basin. During excavations in 1880 to accommodate a new railroad bridge for the D&RG, Monument Creek was reconfigured in an area just north of downtown Colorado Springs. Within the newly carved creek banks, numerous
chalybeate mineral springs slowly reemerged and were discovered by Dr. Charles Gatchell. Iron salts from the spring water had discolored the creek banks allowing Gatchell to trace the flow to the source. Many enjoyed the mineral springs, and Palmer often visited the area to draw water. However, continued flooding over the next few years buried the springs with sands, and the source of the mineral water was again lost for a time. With the area covered, it was neglected and became unsightly and littered with bottles and tin cans by vagrants. To locate the spring, Palmer and his good friend, park enthusiast Mrs. Gilbert McClurg, visited the park's site and flagged the spring's approximate whereabouts. Palmer then directed his engineer team to begin an excavation. Once the spring was located, the water flow was traced inland about 50 feet from the creek bank and a cistern structure was built to a depth of 12 feet. A font was erected at grade with a pipe extending downward to the water flow, and a hand pump was installed to bring water to the surface. While many referred to the spring initially as “Carlsbad Spring,” Palmer preferred naming the spring after "Tammaha," the man believed to be Zebulon Pike's Sioux Indian scout. and he was eager to honor Tammaha as well. The mineral spring was enjoyed by the public, and, in June 1905, Edward C. Schneider, a professor at Colorado College, published an analysis of the mineral content and proclaimed the water's purity. The source of the spring water was also documented. “Water flows from the west along a shale layer and empties into Monument Creek,” Schneider noted, and the water “is not sourced or influenced by the creek, but is pure.” The mineral spring was a popular feature of Monument Valley Park, which was completed for public use in November 1907, A few years later a bridge was installed to link Tahama Spring directly to the downtown area allowing pedestrians easier access from the east side of the creek. Local resident and park neighbor, Helen McCaffrey, recalled in 2015 during an interview with the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs (HPA), that she often crossed that bridge to reach the spring. She also confirmed that the pavilion was a roofed structure where she and a high school sweetheart would often visit.
Origins of the name Zebulon Pike's "friend"
Tamaha was recognized by many names including Tahama, Tahamie and Tamahaw. Pike's memoirs and the writings of
Elliott Coues, Edward D. Neill, J. Fletcher Williams and
Charles Eastman all confirm that these names are for the same individual: the
Dakota Sioux man whom Pike believed was a "war chief" and who later inspired the name for the original spring in Colorado Springs. While accounts differ on the dates of Tahama's birth, it appears Pike and Tahama were the same age. When the Pike expedition tried the ascent of the mountain known today as
Pikes Peak, the two men would have been 27 years old. Each was regarded as a leader and a warrior, but being similar in age, they were peers, truly comrades, and likely shared stories and laughter during their challenging journey. They continued their rapport for many years and served together in the
War of 1812. == Damage ==