William Jackson Palmer Papers

Collection

Identifier: WH2205

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains typed transcript copies of original letters written by Palmer in 1867 while surveying the western portion of the Union Pacific's Eastern Division (with original pagination, index, and tables of distances). Microfilm contains copies of original letters by Palmer, written prior to 1861 and during the Civil War; and copy of 1870 honeymoon journal written by Mary Lincoln Palmer. Also Included are two research notebooks assembled by Leonard W. Froisland with notes, copies of clippings, articles, photographs, letters and typescript for biography on William Jackson Palmer's life.

Dates

1836-1961

Creator

Palmer, William Jackson,1836-1909. (Person)
Froisland, Leonard W., (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

Founded city of Colo. Springs, Colo., also civil engineer, soldier, and philanthropist. Born 1836 in Leipsic, Del. Worked on railroads in Pa. until 1861 and the outbreak of the American Civil War. Served as a Colonel and commander of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, captured by the Confederacy after the Battle of Antietam and sent to Castle Thunder Prison in Richmond, Va. until release in 1863. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery at Red Hill, Ala. on January 14, 1865. Later, co-founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Was also instrumental in helping to found the Colo. School for the Blind and Deaf, Colorado College, and Cragmor Sanatorium. He married Mary Lincoln Mellen (1850-1894) in Flushing, N.Y. in 1870. Palmer died 1909.