Ever looked up at Cheyenne Mountain at night and wondered about that flickering light high above the city? That’s the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. Most locals just call it "the Shrine," but honestly, there’s a lot more to this place than just a cool viewpoint. It’s a tomb. It’s a "singing tower." It’s a 114-foot-tall granite mystery that basically exists because a millionaire didn't want to be forgotten.
If you’ve lived in or visited the Springs, you’ve seen it. It sits at an elevation of 8,136 feet, looming over the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. But the history of the will rogers shrine colorado springs co is kinda weird, mostly because the man it’s named after isn't even buried there.
Who Was Will Rogers and Why Is His Name on a Mountain?
Will Rogers was basically the biggest celebrity in America in the 1920s and 30s. Think of him like a mix of a late-night talk show host, a philosopher, and a cowboy. People loved him. When he died in a tragic plane crash in Alaska in 1935, the whole country went into mourning.
At the same time, a local tycoon named Spencer Penrose—the guy who built The Broadmoor and the zoo—was already busy building a massive granite tower on the side of the mountain. Originally, he was just going to call it the "Penrose Memorial." But his friends told him that sounded a bit too much like he was obsessed with himself.
Since Penrose and Rogers were buddies, and the nation was grieving, Penrose decided to pivot. He dedicated the tower to Rogers instead. It was a smart move. It turned what could have been a "vanity project" into a national monument that everyone could get behind.
What’s Actually Inside?
You might expect a shrine to be empty or just a big room with a statue. Nope. This place has levels.
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- The Ground Floor: You walk in and see these massive murals by Randall Davey. They show the history of the Pikes Peak region—everything from Native Americans to the gold rush in Cripple Creek.
- The Middle Floors: As you climb the narrow winding stairs, three of the floors are basically a Will Rogers museum. You’ll see old black-and-white photos of him on stage, his radio broadcasts, and even a photo of him and pilot Wiley Post right before their fatal crash.
- The Top Deck: This is why most people come. The views are insane. You can see the Garden of the Gods, the Eastern Plains, and the entire layout of The Broadmoor down below.
The Tower That "Sings" Across the Valley
One of the most unique things about the will rogers shrine colorado springs co is that it isn’t silent. It’s a "singing tower." Spencer Penrose loved the idea of music floating down the mountain into the city.
Inside the tower, there’s a set of Westminster chimes. Back in the day, they were operated by paper music rolls, similar to a player piano. Today, it’s all digital, but the sound still carries for miles. On a quiet day, you can hear the chimes striking every fifteen minutes from way down in the Broadmoor valley.
They play a musical program every day at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. It’s a bit eerie and beautiful at the same time, especially if you’re hiking nearby and the sound just drifts through the trees.
A Massive Feat of Engineering (Without Nails)
The construction of this place was actually pretty wild for the 1930s. It’s made almost entirely out of a single block of pink-gray granite quarried from the mountain itself, just a few hundred feet away.
The most impressive part? There are no nails or wood in the entire structure. Not one. It’s all held together by about 200,000 pounds of steel and 30 wagon-loads of cement. It’s basically a giant, heavy-duty jigsaw puzzle made of rock.
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Penrose spent about $250,000 on it back then. In today’s money, that’s well over $5 million. He wasn't messing around. He wanted this thing to last forever.
The Hidden Chapel
If you go around to the lower level, there’s a separate entrance to a chapel. This is the more "serious" part of the shrine. It’s where Spencer and his wife, Julie Penrose, are actually interred.
The chapel is filled with 15th and 16th-century religious relics that Julie collected. It feels completely different from the tower above—it’s quiet, cool, and a bit somber. Two of Penrose's business partners, Horace Devereaux and Larry Leonard, are also buried there. They were lifelong friends who helped him build his empire.
Planning Your Visit: What You Need to Know
Don't just put the address into your GPS and expect to drive right up. It’s a bit more complicated than that.
First, you have to go through the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. You actually buy your zoo ticket, and that includes your admission to the Shrine. From the zoo entrance, you drive about 1.4 miles up the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway.
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It’s a steep, winding road. If you’re afraid of heights, maybe let someone else drive. But the views along the way are worth the white knuckles.
Pro Tips for the Trip:
- Check the weather: The Shrine is at 8,000 feet. If there’s a hint of snow or ice, they’ll close the road for safety.
- Bring water: There aren't many facilities up there once you leave the zoo base.
- Prepare for stairs: If you want to get to the top of the tower, you’re going to be climbing. It’s five stories of narrow, stone steps.
- No Photos (Sometimes): The El Pomar Foundation, which runs the site, can be strict about professional photography. If you’re just taking a selfie on your phone, you’re usually fine, but leave the tripod at home.
Why This Place Still Matters
Honestly, the will rogers shrine colorado springs co is a weird piece of Colorado history. It’s a mix of celebrity worship, a billionaire’s ego, and some truly incredible architecture.
It represents an era when people built things to be permanent. It wasn't about a "quick build" or a "modern aesthetic." It was about pink granite, massive steel beams, and a view that makes you feel very, very small.
Whether you’re there for the Will Rogers history or just to see the lights of the city spread out like a map, it’s one of those spots that stays with you.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the hours: Before you head out, call (719) 578-5367 or check the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website to make sure the road to the Shrine is open.
- Buy tickets in advance: Since you need zoo access, book your timed entry online to avoid getting turned away at the gate.
- Plan for 45 minutes: That’s about how long most people spend at the Shrine itself, not counting the drive up or the zoo visit.
- Listen for the chimes: If you’re in south Colorado Springs around noon, stop talking for a second and see if you can hear the "singing tower" from the mountain.