Manitou Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
James House
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
1. James House Marker
In 1871, Welsh-born James James homesteaded the canyon where the Cliff Dwellings Museum is now located. He was an early water commissioner for Colorado Springs and supplied the stone for-this building from his quarry in Black Caρon.
James and his fiancee, Catherine Wood, were the first couple married in Colorado Springs' Grace Episcopal Church. They had seven children, including Arthur Manitou James. Tradition held that Arthur was the first non-native child born in Manitou Springs. He disputed this himself since he wasn't born until 1878 and the town was founded in 1872. During his life, Arthur James owned a transfer business, was employed by the Midland Terminal Railway, and served as Manitou Springs' Chief of Police.
The James House was built before 1878, making it one of the oldest existing structures downtown. The simple, stone construction was highlighted by a bay window in the center of the facade. Changes to the building included the removal of the bay window so a porch could be added. That porch was later filled in.
The James House is listed as contributing to Manitou Springs' 1980 Local Historic Preservation
this page online
Captions
Top right: In the center of this early photograph of Manitou Avenue, the protruding bay window and white star identify the James House. Its location, adjacent to the Manitou Burro Barn, was probably a prime reason to convert the residence to a boarding house. Courtesy of Ed & Nancy Bathke
Lower right: The James House is seen here as the backdrop to a 1908 burro party ready to ascend Pikes Peak. "Room for Rent" signs indicate its use as a boarding house at that time. Courtesy of Manitou Springs Historical Society
Erected 2004 by Manitou Springs Historic Preservation Commission, Colorado Historical Society's State Historic Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 38° 51.434′ N, 104° 54.932′ W. Marker is in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is on Manitou Avenue (Business U.S. 24) east of Otoe Place, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 723 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs CO 80829, United States of America.
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 2, 2024
2. James House and Marker
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: Wheeler Bank (a few steps from this marker); Manitou Springs Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wheeler Town Clock (about 400 feet away); The Historic Manitou Congregational Church (about 400 feet away); Community Congregational Church (about 400 feet away); St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); Bank of Manitou (about 500 feet away); Barker House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manitou Springs.
Additional commentary.
1.
If Im correct my great great grandparents were Catharine and James. My great grandmother Katharyn James (married Walsh) and my grandmother Dorothy Walsh who spent her young childhood with her grandparents James and Catherine. I wonder why Arthur and the other children were not mentioned?
— Submitted May 1, 2025, by Lyra of Haleiwa, Hawaii.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
