Palmer, William Jackson

(1836 – 1909) was an American civil engineer, veteran of the Civil War, industrialist, and philanthropist. During the American Civil War, he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General and received a Medal of Honor for his actions.
In his early career, Palmer helped develop the expanding railroads of the United States in Pennsylvania; this was interrupted by the American Civil War. He served in colorful fashion as a Union Army cavalry Colonel and was appointed to the brevet grade of Brigadier General. After the war, he contributed financially to educational efforts for the freed former slaves of the South.
Heading west in 1867.
He founded the city of Colorado Springs, in 1871, as well as several other communities. Palmer founded Colorado Springs as a “dry” community, based on his Quaker and temperance beliefs.er still stands in downtown Colorado Springs, across from the school named in his honor.