The Journal of Gilded Age and Progressive Era accepted Greg’s article, “‘Business Sense if not Souls’: Boosters and Religion in Colorado Springs, 1871-1909.” The article examines the collaboration of economic boosters and religious leaders in promoting cities in the American West. Across the West, many boosters used Protestant Christianity as proof of the moral superiority of their towns in contrast to a frontier many associated with violence and vice. This was especially true for the boosters of resort towns who sought to attract wealthy residents and vacationers, mostly from the East. “‘Business Sense if not Souls'” uses Colorado Spring, one of the most steadfast of these “anti-frontier” resorts, as a case study to explore the interaction of religion and boosterism. He argues that Protestant Christianity became more important to the city’s reputation from 1871 to 1909. Over these four decades, religious groups slowly leveraged their initial role of helping attract migrants into a moral crusade backed by the full power of the city.
The article is scheduled for publication in the January 2018 issue of the Journal of Gilded Age and Progressive Era.