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Description
Professor Charles Collins in a decorated trap at the Flower Parade. Research indicates that as a black man, Charles W. Collins was a well-respected member of the entire Colorado Springs community from the time he arrived at age 27 from Missouri in 1884 until his death from typhoid fever in 1902. He served as the head waiter at the Antlers Hotel (the largest employer of black men in town) for 5 ½ years until he resigned in March of 1890 to give full attention to a riding academy that he established at the Athletic Grounds that stretched from East Yampa Street south to Cache La Poudre. He had been a riding master in New Orleans and as the self-proclaimed “Riding Master of Colorado Springs” it appears that he took on the unofficial title of “Professor” due to his superior ability to teach equestrian skills. A natural showman, Collins was a prominent figure at the Flower Carnival Parade (an extremely popular event in the 1890s and early 1900s in Colorado Springs), often entering elaborate entries in the competition. Collins also ran billiard parlors, a stable and, with his wife, the Wisconsin Boarding House located on East Huerfano Avenue. His obituary published in the Colorado Springs Gazette of 11 June 1902 stated in part, “Prof. C. W. Collins, the best known and most prominent colored citizen of this citizen of this city, died at the age of 47 years, of typhoid fever at his residence. Prof. Collins leaves a wife and six...
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