A little-known mountain town northwest of Manitou Springs has a claim-to-fame that sets it apart from the crowd, especially around the holidays.
Drive about 10 miles northwest of Colorado Springs into the tiny town of Cascade and you’ll arrive at a very special place: Colorado's own North Pole.
What was once a historic resort town has since transformed into the home of Santa's Workshop, a family-friendly amusement park focused on the all things Christmas.
Take a photo tour of Cascade, Friday afternoon on Instagram.
Cascade is also home to the famous Pikes Peak Highway, a 19.5-mile toll road that travels from the town to the 14,115-foot summit.
As a tiny town, it can be tough to find housing, but if you're so inclined to move there, you can nab a two-bedroom home for about $219,000, according to real estate website Trulia.com. Renting? A two-bedroom apartment in Cascade runs an average of $1,295 per month.
The history of Cascade
Cascade was one of several small towns founded in central Colorado in the mid-1800’s because of a specific road.
Ute Pass, only one of a few access points into the Rocky Mountains, climbs 3,000 feet through the Fountain Creek canyon west of Manitou Springs. The trail was first used by Ute tribes who needed to get to resources along Pikes Peak.
In the 1860s, the trail was converted into a wagon road for miners living in Colorado City to get into the mining camp of Leadville.
The area that would become Cascade was a popular camping spot for both groups as they were traveling. A few stayed and began the settlement. By 1887, both a post office and the Eastholme Hotel had opened.
Around the same time, more mining towns were springing up and soon the Colorado Midland Railway followed bringing with it a new crowd: tourists.
Cascade first became a tourist destination with the construction of the Ramona Hotel and Pikes Peak Toll Highway, both in 1888.
When the toll road opened, it attracted thousands of visitors each year. The railroad made access easy the elegant Ramona Hotel gave the wealthy somewhere to stay.
At the time, the road was a crude dirt path that visitors could pay either $1 to drive their own vehicle up or $5 for a ride on the Pikes Peak Carriage Line. The carriage rides would take about nine hours to reach the summit.
In 1895, a prominent sign maker from Chicago named Thomas Cusack moved to Cascade. He built a mansion in the 1920s and purchased the Cascade Town Company with plans to develop the area into a resort town.
His first step was to tear down the Ramona Hotel in 1924, which by that time had been neglected and was showing its age. Unfortunately, he died before he could build the new resort.
But ultimately, tourism would remain.
The toll road was vastly improved in 1915 so it would be more suitable for vehicles and the tolls were increased to $2. The Santa’s Village North Pole amusement park was built in 1956 and gave thousands of new visitors a reason to enjoy the town.
Colorado’s North Pole
Sixty-one years ago, a magical Christmas-themed village first opened on the slopes of Pikes Peak.
The design of the 25-acre North Pole was based on a similar village in Lake Placid, New York, designed by a former Walt Disney artist.
The Colorado version was originally built with 12 buildings including Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ house, a barn for the reindeer, three workshops for Santa and a miniature chapel with a nativity scene.
Early on, a puppet show featuring 30 marionettes operated by an eighteen-year-old puppeteer was one of the most popular attractions.
The first rides were not added until two years later in 1958.
The park is now open year-round (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It's full of family and child rides, such as a Candy Cane Coaster, an Antique Car Ride, a giant Ferris Wheel, the Peppermint slide and many more.
The park also continues to put on shows, such as a glass blower who creates ornaments and gifts live, as well as magic shows and the Elmar the Elf Village puppet show.
Kids can even meet Santa Claus, explore his home, and see real reindeer whether visiting in December or July.
Pikes Peak Highway
The 19.5-mile long Pikes Peak Highway remains one of the most breathtaking and harrowing drives in the state.
According to the Pikes Peak website, there are about 162 turns on the way up to the summit, making for a slow and winding drive. They estimate it will take about two hours driving, roundtrip.
But, it’s well worth it. You’ll pass outstanding overlooks, picnic grounds, aspen forests and the Crystal Creek Reservoir, ending at the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. At the summit, you can visit the summit house (get a donut) and enjoy the views from the observation deck before heading back down.
The Pikes Peak Highway is a toll road and a fairly expensive one. It costs $10-15 per person depending on what time of year you go. There are discounts for children and group rates depending on how many are in your car.
The nation’s highest and second-oldest auto race also takes place on the Pikes Peak Highway. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as the Race to the Clouds, takes place on a 12-mile portion of the road.
Racers start just past Crystal Creek Reservoir and speed through 156 turns and up about 5,000 feet to the summit. The race takes place each summer.
The road was dirt and gravel until a lawsuit by an environmental group forced the city to pave the highway. The paving was completed in 2011.
The road is open year-round, weather permitting.
Visiting Cascade
While the town is small, Cascade is still home to several local businesses that are very popular with both locals and visitors.
Cascade has two wine-focused spots. The Winery at Pikes Peak (4455 Fountain Ave.) serves house-made wines in a rustic environment. Also inside is Sweet*Tooth, which serves flatbread pizzas, cheeses and gourmet meats to pair with the wine.
Just up the street is the longtime favorite Wines of Colorado (8045 US-24), a wine shop that features wines from over 95 Colorado wineries. They offer free tastings and have a restaurant with beautiful creek-side dining.
Back Room Pizza (8020 US-24) is also worth a visit, serving everything from Hawaiian pizzas, to spicy pizzas, to white-sauce and regular meat-lovers. And Mildred's Café (4645 Fountain Ave.) is a quant comfort-food spot.
On your way in or out of town, stop at the Pikes Peak Gourmet Popcorn store (7935 U.S.-24), a historic shop serving more popcorn flavors than you would have thought possible.
