Window containing a photograph of Pikes Peak
and Gateway Rocks at Garden of the Gods.
Tower of Memories
1st Floor
2900 Wadsworth Blvd
Wheatridge, Colorado
Compare:
The Manitou Legend
"In the nestling vales and on the grassy plains
which lie at the foot of the Great White Mountain
that points the way to heaven lived the Chosen People.
Here they dwelt in happiness together.
And above them on the summit of the Mighty Peak where stand
the Western Gates of Heaven,
dwelt the Manitou."
"And that the Chosen People might know of his love the Manitou
did stamp upon the Peak the image of his face
that all might see and worship him...."
"But one day as the storm clouds played about the Peak,
the image of the Manitou was hid...And down from th North
swept a barbaric tribe of giants, taller than the spruce
which grew upon the mountain side and so great
that in their stamping strides they shook the earth."
"And with the invading host came grewsome beasts -
unknown and awful in their mightiness-
monstrous beasts that would devour the earth and tread it down...."
"And as the invading hosts came on
the Chosen Ones fell to the earth at the first gentle slope of the mountain
and prayed to Manitou for aid. Then came to pass a wondrous miracle.
The clouds broke away and sunshine smote the Peak.
and from the very summit, looking down, appeared the face of Manitou himself.
And stern he looked upon the advancing host,
and as he looked the Giants and the beasts turned into stone within their very steps...."
"And when the white men came they called the spot the Garden of the Gods...
but we who know the history of the race still call it 'Valley of the Miracle,'
for here it was that Manitou gave aid to save his chosen people...."
Indian Legend compiled by Ford C. Frick,
and placed on file at the Pioneers Museum,
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
