Pioneers and Long-Ago Communities of the USAFA

These pioneers literally “left their mark” in the area, carving their names in stone on Cathedral Rock, a 120-foot geological monument located in the northwest part of the academy.

Some even added dates to signify when they arrived or when they visited. Jack used the archaeological work of Dr. Bill Arbogast and UCCS his classes in his research.

Jack will also introduce us to the communities which once thrived on today’s U.S. Air Force Academy grounds. The two “Husteds” and Edgerton and a few small “whistle stops” dotted both the Denver & Rio Grande and Santa Fe railroad tracks.

Husted was a railroad “tank town,” where thirsty locomotives chugging north would take on water and be joined by a helper locomotive to get them up the grade over the Palmer divide.

Jack Anthony is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. For 40 years, he has served in various military, intelligence, and NASA roles as an engineer, educator, leader, and operator.

Jack successfully spear-headed the effort to list the Palmer Lake Star on the State Register of Historic Properties and is currently leading the effort to have the Palmer Lake Town Hall placed on the register as well.