The lithograph in this decade was probably used as an advertisement for eastern newspapers regarding the Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush. Even though the gold rush did not take place in Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak, the area was familiar to people in the East and might motivate them to "head west and become rich." Interestingly, Colorado Springs was not incorporated into a city until 1871, and even Old Colorado City was not incorporated until 1861, yet this is the "Colorado Springs Lithograph." The Gold Rush that it advertised took place in 1859.
Source:
Interview with Nancy Thaler, Pikes Peak Library District, Carnegie Special Collections, May 21, 2008.
Written by: Carole Hiegert