|
 Our school is named in
honor of Richard C. Bristol, who was an early pioneer in Colorado Springs. He
and his wife traveled to the Pikes Peak region after hearing about General
Palmer’s plans for the city. They liked the thought of living in a town that
was founded on the ideals of culture and gentility, and when they saw the beauty
of the surroundings, Reverend and Mrs. Bristol decided to make it their
permanent home. Actually Rev. Bristol saw the scenery in his mind. He was
totally blind, and he had to imagine the things his wife described to him. He
said he saw things through her eyes. In many ways the story of this devoted
couple is typical of the many people who lived here in the beginning years of
our town.
Richard Chester Bristol
was born in Harwinton, Connecticut on April 12, 1817. When he was a small child
he lost the sight of one eye as a result of an accident. His family moved to
Iowa, but he attended school in Ohio. After he graduated, Richard decided to
become a minister, and he attended Yale Divinity School. He was ordained in the
Congregational Church, and he served in several communities in Illinois. While
in DeKalb, he met his wife Ruth. They married in July 1856. Within the first
three years of his marriage, he suffered another accident, which left him
completely blind. He tried to continue his pastoral work, but after a few years
he realized that his condition prevented him from the study he knew was
necessary for his profession. Bristol retired from the ministry, but he
remained active in his church for the rest of his life. He began to sell real
estate, and he was able to make a good living. When he heard of Palmer’s new
town at the foot of Pikes Peak, Richard thought that the area would provide
opportunity for his wife and himself. They arrived in Colorado Springs in the
spring of 1873, when the town was not yet two years old. The following year the Bristols moved into a house on North Nevada Avenue, where they lived for over
sixteen years.
With his kindness and good
humor, Rev. Bristol became a beloved member of the new town. His fellow
citizens affectionately called him “Father Bristol”. His real estate business
thrived, and he acquired many acres around town for development. Rev. and Mrs.
Bristol had no children of their own, but they were always interested in the
welfare of all children. Richard was a willing volunteer and generous
contributor promoting schools and churches. He combined these two interests and
helped form the Colorado Springs College, which became known as Colorado
College. He was a trustee of that institution for many years. He was
instrumental in the building of a local Congregational church. Although he was
visually handicapped, he made his way unaided throughout town and met with
friends daily. His judgment was so valued that he was chosen to inspect the
first building erected solely to house the college classes on Tejon Street. Throughout it all, Ruth was his helpmate and partner.
In March 1890, the Bristols
moved into a house four blocks south of their former residence. They would not
live there together long. The next month Rev. Bristol caught a cold that grew
worse during the week. He died on April 9, 1890, just a few days short of this
73rd birthday. The following November, the Colorado Springs School
District 11 board members met to discuss several future school buildings to be
built to meet increasing enrollment. One was planned for an area west of
Monument Creek. A two-room schoolhouse, of good construction with proper
heating and ventilation would be built at 730 N. Walnut Street, and it would be
named in honor of Richard C. Bristol.
Mrs. Bristol lived another
eleven years, and continued the charitable works she and her husband began when
they arrived in Colorado Springs. After a brief illness, she died at her home
on July 15, 1901.
The original two-room
schoolhouse built in the 700 block of North Walnut underwent many changes and
additions during the next 80 years. It is still used as a school by District
11, but is no longer called Bristol. In 1971 a new elementary school with that
name opened. It is two blocks north of the original building, and it is still
in use by children living on Colorado Springs’ west-side, who are proud of the
name Richard C. Bristol.
Sources:
-
Hunt, Inez, The Story of Mr. Bristol and
the Little Red Brick Schoolhouse., Colorado Springs
Public Schools, Colorado Springs, CO, 1971.
-
Colorado Springs Gazette, March 14, 1890,
April 11, 1890, July 16, 1901.
-
Pikes Peak Reader, School District Number 11,
Colorado Springs, Colorado, edition 1, 1972
Written by: Darcy Mazel |
