history
General William Jackson Palmer
Soldier. Spy. Visionary. Builder of the West.
Born: September 17, 1836 — Leipsic, Delaware
Raised: Germantown, Pennsylvania
Died: March 13, 1909
William Jackson Palmer served with distinction in the American Civil War, rising rapidly through the ranks of the Union Army. Early in the war, the twenty-five-year-old Palmer raised a mounted unit that became the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, earning recognition for discipline, innovation, and leadership.
In 1864, while operating behind Confederate lines, Palmer was captured and imprisoned at Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia — a notorious Confederate military prison used to hold Union officers and suspected spies. He was later released through a formal prisoner exchange and returned to active service.
Palmer commanded cavalry forces during several major campaigns, including Antietam, Chickamauga, and the Appomattox Campaign. For extraordinary bravery under fire at Red Hill, Alabama, in 1863, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, one of the youngest officers to receive the nation’s highest military distinction.
After the war, Palmer turned his vision westward and became one of the most influential figures in the development of Colorado and the American West. As founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, he pioneered narrow-gauge railways through rugged mountain terrain, making rail travel possible across steep passes and remote landscapes previously considered impassable.
Through his railroad, Palmer founded or directly shaped numerous Colorado communities, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Salida, Alamosa, Durango, and many mining and agricultural towns across the San Juan Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley. These rail lines connected mines, ranches, farms, and cities, transforming Colorado into a thriving center of commerce, transportation, and settlement.
Palmer’s influence extended well beyond the United States.
In the late nineteenth century, he served as President of the Mexican National Railway, overseeing the expansion and modernization of rail infrastructure connecting Mexico City with key ports, industrial centers, and border regions. His leadership helped strengthen international trade, improve transportation efficiency, and advance railroad engineering across Mexico during a critical period of economic development.
For generations, the General Palmer Hotel has welcomed travelers to historic downtown Durango. From the age of rail and stage to the modern highway, our doors remain open to those exploring the landscapes and stories of the American West. Soldier. Spy. Visionary. Builder of the West.
The Main Hotel
The main hotel at the General Palmer is the original, iconic hotel established in 1898. These rooms feature patio and balcony access, use of the historic elevator, and available window views of downtown durango.
The Palace Wing
The Palace Wing features our luxury suites on our property in the annex building adjacent to the main hotel. Please note, the Palace Wing offers stair access only.
