Nolon House

Nolon House. . Built in 1890 by the owner of Colorado Springs' Newton Lumber Company, this home was purchased by Honest John Nolon in 1900. Nolon owned a gambling hall and saloon in Cripple Creek and saloons in Manitou Springs, including the Buffalo Saloon at Manitou and Ruxton Avenues. Nolon expanded the home to include top floor servant's quarters and the carriage house in back. A sandstone buffalo sculpture, which stood in front of that saloon, was moved to the Nolon House lawn when the business closed, becoming a local landmark. The Nolon family occupied the home for almost 50 years., Queen Anne in style, the house featured Manitou greenstone, wooden shingles, porches with brackets and moldings, and a four-story, stone tower. Greenstone was quarried in this area from 1890 until approximately 1940; it is found here exclusively. Major changes to the house include windows enclosing the fourth floor observation deck and stucco on the previously shingled areas., When the Nolon family sold the property, the house and carriage house were separated. Both have had several owners and have been converted into apartments. , The Nolon House is listed as contributing to Manitou Springs 1983 National Register and 1980 Local Historic Preservation Districts. , (photo captions) , Upper right: , The Nolon House's distinctive architecture made it an instant landmark, even at the time of construction. Courtesy of Ed and Meg Nichols , Bottom center: , The sandstone sculpture, moved from the Buffalo Saloon, was the focal point of many a tourist photo. Courtesy of Old Colorado City Historical Society , Bottom right: , Most homeowners in Manitou rented to summer tourists, This interior view shows two such tenants enjoying the Nolon House tower room. Courtesy of Hank Mayhew