# Glen Eyrie

- **Country:** the United States
- **Coordinates:** 38.891667, -104.884444
- **Location Text:** Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tudor Revival style house built in 1871 for William Jackson Palmer. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Glen Eyrie is a historic English Tudor-style castle located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, originally constructed in 1871. The estate was built by General William Jackson Palmer, a Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War, president of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, and the founder of Colorado Springs. Palmer designed the home for his wife Mary and their three daughters, incorporating advanced features for the era such as a primitive intercom system, strategically placed fire hose stations, and a unique dual-chimney mechanism operated by lever to direct smoke away from the valley based on wind direction. The property derives its name from the word for an eagle's nest, reflecting its setting amidst local wildlife that includes deer, wild turkeys, and Colorado's largest herd of bighorn sheep.

Following General Palmer's death in 1909, the estate passed through several owners, including Texas oil baron George Strake, who utilized it as a summer home until a devastating flood in 1949 prompted its sale. In 1953, The Navigators, a worldwide Christian organization, purchased the property to serve as their international headquarters after a rapid fundraising campaign. Recognized for its architectural and historical value, Glen Eyrie was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, with the listing expanded in 2016. The structure remains well-preserved, showcasing twenty-four fireplaces and grand halls that have hosted guests for over a century.

Today, Glen Eyrie functions as both an active organizational headquarters and a public destination offering tours, events, and overnight accommodations. Visitors can explore the grounds, stay in guest rooms or one of six on-site lodges, and utilize meeting and dining facilities. The castle maintains cherished traditions such as afternoon tea service in the Music Room and an annual Christmas Madrigal Banquet held in the Great Hall. This blend of historical preservation, natural beauty, and continued utility ensures the estate remains a significant landmark in the region, bridging its nineteenth-century origins with modern community engagement.

![Photo of Glen Eyrie](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Glen_Eyrie_Castle.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Eyrie (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)