Many people have probably heard of Helen Hunt Falls, a 35-foot waterfall that sits on Cheyenne Creek in the North Cheyenne Cañon Park of Colorado Springs. That said, what many might not know is that it was named after a local author and activist.

According to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Helen Hunt Jackson came to Colorado Springs in 1873. She had contracted tuberculosis, according to The Broadmoor, and was searching for healing in the dry mountain air as so many other were at the time.

Jackson loved the area, with the falls and surrounding area inspiring some of her most famous work. According to The Broadmoor, Jackson used her platform to advocate for Native Americans and their treatment by the U.S. government. She was buried at the top of Seven Falls in 1885 with her remains later moved to the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

According to the Town of Colorado Springs, The Bruin Inn was built at the base of Helen Hunt Falls in 1881 and an outbuilding of the Inn was created as a visitor center and curio shop. That building became known as “The Cub.” Although a fire eventually destroyed the Bruin Inn, The Cub survived and remained as a visitor center by the falls. However, in 2012 the old Cub building was torn down and replaced by a new building similar in “design and atmosphere” to the old one, according to the City of Colorado Springs.

After Helen Hunt’s death, locals began unofficially referring to the falls as “Helen Hunt Falls” with the city officially designated Helen Hunt Falls in 1966.

Today, the falls continue to be a beautiful natural attraction for visitors and honor the legacy of an incredible local figure.

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