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Cragmor Sanatorium

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Cragmor Sanatorium Cragmor Sanatorium was a first-class sanatorium dreamed up in the mind of a man named Dr. Edwin Solly. He arrived in the United States in 1874 aspiring to build a significant cure home for tuberculosis; an ideal sanatorium that was spacious, innovative and bold. But not just that, he wanted to cater to the wealthy and have national reputation as a health resort. He sought to build a closed sanatorium, a cottage colony, and have a full resident staff comprising of capable physicians, but they would only admit curable patients who suffered strictly from pulmonary TB. Before his dream could be realized, though, the construction of the noteworthy sanatorium would come across many obstacles.
It wasn't until 1901 that Solly finally asked for help in order to see his estimated $300,000 to $350,000 vision come to life. Colorado Springs' founder, General William J. Palmer, donated 100 acres of land and an initial $50,000 to the building fund in 1902 to get the plan rolling. Thomas MacLaren was recruited as the lead architect in the massive project, but his estimate for such a high-class, open-air concept exceeded Solly's estimate nearly double. In 1904, however, MacLaren modified his original plans and drastically reduced the estimated cost. In total, eight plans for the sanatorium were adopted, modified and aborted. The original plan for a main building was finally shelved and the decision to just build several small pavilions was made. Construction finally began in the spring of 1904, but more delays ensued and it wasn't until June 20, 1905, that the doors of Cragmor, consisting of three large pavilions and several small cottages to accommodate 25 patients, were finally opened.