Located at 215 S. Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum sits inside the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, a striking granite building complete with a domed clock tower and a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. You should visit to explore the rich cultural history of the Pikes Peak region through a collection of over 60,000 objects.
Inside, you can discover Native American artifacts from Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute cultures, possessions from author Helen Hunt Jackson, and fine art alongside a nationally significant collection of quilts and Van Briggle Pottery. Don't miss the impressive mural by Eric Bransby depicting regional history from early Native Americans to the construction of the United States Air Force Academy. You can also explore exhibits covering the city's founding, mining, military installations, and health resort industry.
The museum houses the Starsmore Center for Local History, featuring newspapers, images, and the personal papers of city founder General William Jackson Palmer. Before leaving, stroll around Alamo Square Park to admire its flower beds, gazebo, history-themed sculptures, and a preserved 1900 E. Howard & Co. street clock, or stop by the museum store.
What to see at Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
- Historic 1903 granite courthouse with a domed clock tower
- Native American artifacts from Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute cultures
- Eric Bransby mural depicting regional Pikes Peak history
- Van Briggle Pottery and nationally significant quilt collection
- Preserved 1900 E. Howard & Co. street clock in Alamo Square Park
Visiting tips
Enjoy free admission to explore the extensive exhibits, museum store, and local history archives.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is easy to reach on Colorado Springs’s public transport, and pairs naturally with World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Colorado Springs travel guide.
See the full Colorado Springs travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.