Pikes Peak and America the Beautiful

Located in the heart of the majestic American Rockies, stands Pikes Peak, a stunning natural marvel. With its snow-covered summit and breathtaking views, this peak has become a symbol of America’s beauty and essence. The inspiring journey of hiking up Pikes Peak led to the creation of a poem that eventually became recognized as America’s unofficial national anthem, “America the Beautiful.”

From Summit to Stanzas: Pikes Peak and America the Beautiful

Pikes Peak is ‘discovered’

Pikes Peak was named after Zebulon Pike, who spotted the mountain in 1806 during what is known as the Pike Expedition. During this expedition, Pike’s objectives were to explore the upper Mississippi River and the Southwest.

During his time in the Southwest, Pike went into present-day Colorado. There, he attempted to climb the mountain now known as Pikes Peak. Interestingly enough, he didn’t reach the summit. When his group unwittingly crossed into Spanish territory (now part of southern Colorado), they were captured by Spanish forces. They were taken to Santa Fe, then to Chihuahua (present-day Mexico), before being released in 1807 at the Louisiana border.

National interest in Pikes Peak grows

The discovery of gold in 1858 by Green Russell and his party near present-day Denver triggered a gold rush. The rush brought an influx of settlers and miners to the region. But it wasn’t until 1895, two years after Katharine Lee Bates, a professor from Massachusetts, visited Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak and was moved by the majestic beauty around her, that national interest in Pikes Peak grew.

A champion of education and a prolific poet, Bates was not someone who sought fame. Her poem, however, would resonate across the nation. Born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1859, the same year as the famous “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold rush, she would write of a different kind of wealth. After teaching at several colleges, including Wellesley, her passion for travel and poetry eventually led her to what might be called her destiny.

The Journey to Inspiration

Bates’s climb up Pikes Peak took place in the summer of 1893. This was a period of industrial growth as well as social and economic stress. The difficult journey to the top reflected the country’s journey towards hope and possibilities. But the view from the peak, with fields of grain and fertile lands below, sparked a strong sense of national pride and spirit in Bates.

In her hotel room on the evening of her ascent, she began writing a poem inspired by her brief visit to the summit. The first four stanzas were published on July 4, 1895. The verses reflected a vision of a nation that celebrated the diversity and splendor of the American landscape. The stirring words found resonance at a time when the country yearned for a unifying anthem.

The melody of “America the Beautiful” comes from the hymn “Materna” composed by Samuel A. Ward. Its soaring notes brought Bates’s patriotic words to life, resonating with audiences nationwide. 

While Bates’s poem is considered by many to be more appropriate, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was chosen instead and designated the national anthem by congressional resolution in 1931. Nevertheless, “America the Beautiful” remains an enduring patriotic hymn, showcasing the country’s ideals and beauty.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s puzzle post on my 2024 journey to America’s amazing places. If you liked this puzzle and post, please share it with a friend! By the way, did you miss last week’s Friday Morning Post and jigsaw puzzle? If you did, you can use this link to view Discover the Unexpected at Indiana Dunes National Park now. If you want to check out all my posts and puzzles, click here. 

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