Colorado - South Cheyenne Canon, Pikes Peak Region

Seven Falls
South Cheyenne Canon, (Canyon)
Pikes Peak Region, Colorado

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The History of Seven Falls (181 feet):
On December 5, 1872, Nathaniel Colby homesteaded the 160 acres that included the present-day Seven Falls and South Cheyenne Canyon. Nine months later he sold the land to the Colorado Springs Land Company for $1000.
Later owners realized little value from the land until 1882, when James Hull purchased the property for $1300. Mr. Hull was a naturalist who was disturbed to note the scenic beauty of the canyon was being threatened by the felling of trees for their lumber value. Hull had already purchased 160 acres west of Seven Falls for $500 and later secured an additional 80 acres in 1885. With 400 acres including the heart of the cañon, Hull became one of Colorado's earliest environmental protectors.

Hull was also a businessman, and he understood the value of the "ranch" as it was then called. He advertised the property as a scenic resort. He constructed a road through the canyon to the Seven Falls, and built a stairway (with 224 steps) along the side of the Falls so tourists could visit it. He installed a toll gate at the foot of the canyon to collect fees.
Access to the Falls in those days was largely by carriages, burros and saddle horses furnished by a local entrepreneur named Hunter. He paid a kind of concession fee to James Hull and his sons of $500 to take passengers to the Falls for 25 cents each. Business flourished, and Seven Falls became a prominent tourist attraction.