Manitou Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Healing Waters
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
1. Healing Waters Marker
For centuries, Native peoples revered the effervescent waters They used the mineral water to calm stomachs, soothe skin problems, and as a tonic for other ailments.
In the Victorian era when diseases like tuberculosis were rampant, spas and health resorts became popular as a way for people to escape the cities and find fresh air and curative waters.
In 1871, General William J. Palmer and Dr. William A. Bell founded Manitou Springs to attract those seeking "The Cure" to their new European-style health resort.
Each spring has different amounts of mineral content and natural carbonation and was prescribed by doctors for ailments such as liver and kidney disease and digestive disorders.
(photo caption) Shoshone Spring with a protective fence to keep out animals that were attracted to the salt. The Manitou Mineral Water Bath & Park Co. built the bottling works (left) and the Queen Anne-style bathhouse behind the spring. (Photograph circa 1886)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 38° 51.49′ N, 104° 55.037′ W. Marker is in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It can be reached from the intersection of Manitou Avenue (Business U.S. 24) and Navajo Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 902 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs CO 80829, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range and in Pikes Peak Region. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Manitou Mineral Water Company Bottling Plant (here, next to this marker); Bank of Manitou (a few steps from this marker); Barker House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
2. Shoshone Spring brick structure from sidewalk on Manitou Ave.
Marker to the right at bottom of steps
More about this marker. From Manitou Ave (across from Navajo Avenue), take steps down from sidewalk, which leads to sandstone brick structure. Marker is in front of the structure to left of spring.
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
3. Healing Waters Marker in front of sandstone structure, spring to the right
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
4. Shoshone Spring
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
5. Shoshone Spring from 1886
Shoshone Spring with a protective fence to keep out animals that were attracted to the salt. The Manitou Mineral Water Bath & Park Co. built the bottling works (left) and the Queen Anne-style bathhouse behind the spring. (Photograph circa 1886) Photograph from the Harrison Collection.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
