On the west side of Denver, a neighborhood unlike any other holds a surprising link to General William Jackson Palmer and Dr. William Bell, the two key figures in the early days of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. They were critical to the future of the entire state, yet this one undeveloped corner of Denver drew their attention. Sarah Mulholland of Colorado Public Radio picks up the story.
How beautiful must that corner of land looked to these men that they would be reminded of the Scottish Highlands? One can only guess. But Palmer, for his part, described a recent morning when he had arisen, approached the window, and
"a sight burst upon me which was worthy of God's own day. The [Front] Range, all covered with snow, arose, pure and grand, from the brown plains. As I looked I thought, 'Could one live in constant view of these grand mountains without being elevated by them into a lofty plane of thought and purpose?'1
Clearly, the man was not above being moved by natural beauty! Such a heart is one I'd someday like to know. ⚒
1 - Rebel of the Rockies, Robert Athearn Ch 1, p.8
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