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Park Hours:
We're open
Park Hours
Monday9:30 AM — 4:30 PM
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday9:30 AM — 4:30 PM
Friday9:30 AM — 4:30 PM
Saturday9:30 AM — 4:30 PM
Sunday9:30 AM — 4:30 PM
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North Pole –
Santa’s Workshop
Our history

The Christmas Spirit has been alive and well in the shadow of Pikes Peak for 65 years!

How it all started

It was announced on March 10, 1955 that a 25 acre Santa’s Workshop was planned to be built on the slopes of Pikes Peak. The village was to be identical to the one built in Lake Placid, NY. The village in NY was designed by Arto Monaco, a former Walt Disney artist.

In the 1940’s an eight-year old girl told the artist what she believed Santa Claus’ home and village looked like. Mr. Monaco then translated her image of the magical land into blueprints for an actual village.

A village of 12 alpine buildings was in the plans to be constructed. A home for Mr. & Mrs. Claus, 3 workshops, a blacksmith shop, gate house, reindeer barn, souvenir shop, show house, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and a miniature chapel with nativity.

June 16, 1956 that young girl’s dream came true when Santa’s Workshop/North Pole opened for its first season.

Santa’s Workshop has grown through the years, but pure enjoyment of the Christmas spirit has remained the same for the past 65 years.

Santa’s Gnomes
Colorful gnomes were stationed in the artisan, souvenir and toy shops. Costumes were fashioned in grays and greens that blended into the woodland setting at the workshop. It wasn’t an easy task to become one of Santa’s 50 gnomes. You had to meet very strict qualifications to even be considered. All gnomes were chosen with careful judging by a Denver charm school and had to pass aptitude tests in dealing with the public.
Musical entertainment
Rufus Porter was Santa’s hurdy-gurdy man. While Rufus played his hurdy-gurdy, his pet monkey would politely tip his hat when people dropped pennies into his cup. Coins collected in the cup were combined with money from the wishing well to provide gifts for the needy and orphaned children at Christmas time. Storybook characters, Red Riding Hood, Miss Muffet and BoPeep were also on hand to tell their stories to children who stopped and chatted with them.
Petting zoo
White deer, goats, sheep, burros, ducks and peacocks roamed the park to the delight of young and old. Special food and bottled milk were available for guests to feed the animals.
Puppet show
Eighteen year old James Gamble was Santa’s puppeteer. Gamble’s show featured his 30 Magical Marionettes. Visitors young and old delighted in Gamble’s “family:” Sam Peabody, a bedraggled lush; Lavenya May Sprayberry, the buck toothed ballerina; Carmen, a sultry dancer who shimmied and shaked; Oscar, a hand puppet dragon; Mr. Bones, a skeleton who comes apart and a chorus line of can-can girls. Gamble designed and made all his marionettes and his mother, Mrs. J.C. Gamble designed the wardrobes.
The first rides
1958 brought Santa’s Workshop’s first “rides.” The Mine Ride was the first to be added to the park. Later in the season the Stage Coach and an authentic Fire Engine were featured.
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Enjoy your visit to The North Pole

Crafted by Design Rangers at 38.8321° N, 104.8233° W
©2024 All rights reserved
Crafted by Design Rangers at 38.8321° N, 104.8233° W | © 2021 All rights reserved​