1858History
== History ==
Cañon City, Kansas Territory, was laid out on January 17, 1858, during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, but then the land was left idle.
1859Architecture
A new company "jumped the claim" to the town's site in late 1859, and it put up the first building in February 1860.
1860Architecture
The Cañon City, Kansas Territory, post office opened on December 13, 1860.
1861Military
In 1861, the town raised two companies of volunteers to serve with the Second Colorado Infantry during the American Civil War.
1865History
This regiment fought in skirmishes in nearby New Mexico and as far east as the Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and Missouri before ending its organization in 1865.
1867Architecture
Congress approved the Territory of Colorado's request for funds to construct a penitentiary in 1867.
1871Crime
The Colorado Territorial Penitentiary opened in 1871, becoming Colorado's first prison.
1872History
Records of inmate labor at the penitentiary date to 1872, including numerous complaints that inmates were not receiving full compensation for their work.
1891Architecture
A number of metal ore smelters were built in Cañon City following the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek in 1891.
1900History
=== 1860s to 1900 ===
The new Territory of Colorado was organized on February 28, 1861, and Fremont County, Colorado Territory was created on November 1, 1861, with Cañon City ...
1904History
On July 30, 1904, the spelling of the Cañon City post office was changed to the common English spelling "Canyon City", but the spelling was changed back to the Spanish spelling ...
1905Architecture
The scenic road opened in 1905.
1929Crime
On October 3, 1929, a riot at the prison claimed 13 lives.
1963History
Dick's alternate history novel The Man in the High Castle (1963) and its eponymous 2015 television series adaptation.
1983History
=== Historical designations ===
The Cañon City Downtown Historic District is an historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
1994History
In 1994, the United States Board on Geographic Names approved adding the tilde to the official name of Cañon City, a change from Canon City as the official name in its decisions...
1997Crime
==== Scenic routes ====
Skyline Drive, major scenic route overlooking Cañon City that was originally built by local inmates at the Territorial Prison
==== Railroads ====
The U...
1998History
In 1998 Rock and Rail LLC was formed, and began operating on the former Union Pacific track between Cañon City and Parkdale.
2009Government
The Colorado Women's Correctional Facility near Cañon City in unincorporated Fremont County was decommissioned on June 4, 2009.
2020History
At the 2020 United States census, the city had a total area of 7,939 acres (32.127 km2) including 7.9 acres (0.032 km2) of water.