Jean Baptist Francolon, a French-born Catholic priest and architect, is renowned for designing Miramont Castle. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1878 and settled in Manitou Springs in 1892. Construction of the castle took place from 1895 to 1897, with . . . — — Map (db m250723) HM
The Architect
Designed by Charles E. Thomas 1876-1957.
Born in Columbus, Ohio. The son of a British born expert of stone masonry, the Thomas family moved to Denver in 1881 and Thomas began his architectural training there in 1893. He . . . — — Map (db m250640) HM
Originally built in 1872 by artist Theodore Pine, Charles W. Barker purchased Pine Cottage in 1880. In 1882, he changed the name and began yearly additions By 1890, it was a typical resort hotel with 110 rooms, Wilton carpets, Manitou's first . . . — — Map (db m250803) HM
Jerome Wheeler was one of Manitou Springs' most generous patrons. He left the town a wealth of businesses and buildings, but his greatest gift was the fame of its mineral water.
Wheeler came to Colorado in 1883 after distinguished service in . . . — — Map (db m250729) HM
The early Cliff House was small, cube-shaped, and was first mentioned in the January 10, 1874 Colorado Springs Gazette. The first two operating seasons bankrupted Canadian owners Thomas T. Shurtliff-and William A. Webster. Edward E. Nichols . . . — — Map (db m250740) HM
Built in 1899 as a small hotel…
the Colliers family refurbished it in 1928 as a boarding house.
From 1960 to 1984, it was used as apartments.
Renovated as a National Historic Building in 1984.
This property has been placed on the National . . . — — Map (db m282303) HM
This is the oldest, continuously occupied Congregational Church in Colorado. Founded as a mission in 1877, early services were held in Manitou's original schoolhouse. On April 4, 1880, the cornerstone was laid. This Gothic Revival structure was . . . — — Map (db m255118) HM
Julia Archibald Holmes was the first Anglo woman to climb Pikes Peak. She camped near Manitou Springs as a member of the Lawrence Party with her husband and brother in 1858.
Upon seeing the springs for the first time, Julia wrote:
...we . . . — — Map (db m250618) HM
The Garden of the Gods Trading Company began in the early 1900s when teenager Charles E. Strausenback began selling his carved gypsum figures at Garden of the Gods' east gateway in front of Fatty Rice's beer hall.
In 1924, Strausenback began . . . — — Map (db m282613) HM
In the early 1900's, local Indian trader Charles E. Strausenback built the Trading Post to resemble the homes of the Pueblo Indians.
Throught the mid-1950's, Native American silversmiths and artisans worked and lived at the Trading Post, . . . — — Map (db m285254) HM
In memoriam
This park is dedicated in honor of
George Eber Duclo who died in the service of his country in the World War 1917-1919 — — Map (db m250980) WM
Manitou's mineral springs have been appreciated for their healthful benefits throughout history
For centuries, Native peoples revered the effervescent waters They used the mineral water to calm stomachs, soothe skin problems, and as a tonic . . . — — Map (db m250647) HM
Begun as a preaching mission by the First Congregational Church of Colorado Springs in 1877
Gathered as a congregation August 22, 1879
This building, erected in 1880, is the oldest Congregational Church building in Colorado — — Map (db m255117) HM
In Memory of Emma Crawford
who succumbed to tuberculosis
at age 28. She was an accomplished
musician, piano teacher and fiancée
to Mr. Wilhelm Hildenbrand. Emma loved Red Mountain and had requested to be buried at its summit, but in 1929 heavy . . . — — Map (db m251014) HM
Iron Springs Geyser was drilled in 1910 by J. G. Hiestand, and is one of
a group of chalybeate springs (those containing salts of iron) in Ruxton
Canyon. Originally, the water erupted high into the air every half hour.
The iron springs were . . . — — Map (db m250983) HM
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 Cañon.
James and . . . — — Map (db m250848) HM
With a summit elevation of 14,110 ft above sea level, the Manitou & Pike's Peak
Railway is the highest railway in North America and the world's highest cog railway. This line was the third and last cog railroad to be built in the
United States . . . — — Map (db m250962) HM
Manitou Mineral Water Company
In July 1887, Jerome Wheeler, a banking and mining millionaire, formed the Manitou Mineral Water Company and then purchased the Manitou Mineral Water Park and Bath Company. The organization planned a new, much . . . — — Map (db m250650) HM
This classical Italian Renaissance library was opened February 22, 1911. Manitou Springs' citizens were proud of the cork floors, heavy oak furniture, and a five-foot tall wall clock that ran on dry-cell batteries.
Manitou Springs had a free . . . — — Map (db m250939) HM
Manitou Springs Post Office
Dedicated in 1940, this was the last building in town constructed of Manitou greenstone. Local citizens lobbied the federal government for its distinctive stone construction, even though this increased building . . . — — Map (db m250731) HM
The Mansions Hotel was located west of City Hall in the area currently occupied by the Fire Department and adjacent motel. Built in 1874, it was the third hotel in Manitou Springs and the second built by Dr. William Bell, founder of Manitou . . . — — Map (db m250954) HM
Jean Baptiste Francolon, a French Roman Catholic priest, became the parish priest of Manitou Springs in 1893. After a pilgrimage to Rome in 1894, Francolon began building Miramont Castle, incorporating nine styles of architecture from memories of . . . — — Map (db m250722) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m250735) HM
Dr. Henry McDonough and Gerturde Ogilbee first came to Manitou Springs for their honeymoon in 1887. They decided to move here in 1888 because of Dr. Ogilbee's poor health. Ogilbee and his practice thrived, allowing them to have local contractors, . . . — — Map (db m282609) HM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
The first Catholic Mass in this area was celebrated in 1860 by the Rev. Joseph Machebeuf, who later became Colorado's first bishop. The parish of . . . — — Map (db m250986) HM
Manitou Springs' first Catholic Parish was established in 1882. Master builders Archie and Angus Gillis completed this Gothic-influenced, shingle-style church in June of 1889. The Gillises were also responsible for the construction of Miramont . . . — — Map (db m250985) HM
The world's most famous mountain was discovered by Zebulon M. Pike, an army officer, November 13th, 1806. At the time he discovered this peak, which now fittingly bears his name, he made the statement that it could never be ascended by . . . — — Map (db m288471) HM
Navajo Spring was often mentioned in written accounts by early explorers. To American Indians, it was sacred.
The natural water and gases erupting from the Earth were impressive to behold. This spring was especially meaningful to the . . . — — Map (db m250653) HM
Church services first began in a tent in 1874, making this Manitou Springs' oldest religious congregation. Town founder, Dr. William A. Bell, donated land in 1877, and, in 1880, a chapel was built west of the current church's location. In 1885, the . . . — — Map (db m250622) HM
"Sound the Alarm" Purchased for 22 cents a pound in June of 1884, this 550 pound bell served to call, "Manitou's Finest", the volunteers of the W.A. Bell Hose, Hook, and Ladder Co. to duty. — — Map (db m250942) HM
This is the site of Manitou Springs' birthplace. The mineral waters of the Manitou Soda Spring are historically significant, since the Cheyenne, Arapahoes, Utes, and others, regarded the springs as special, sacred places inhabited by the Great . . . — — Map (db m250672) HM
The naturally-carbonated. mineral springs of Manitou Springs inspired the town's early development.
Throughout the 1870s and 80s, the mineral water business began to grow. In 1889, the Manitou Mineral Water Company built a prominent, three- . . . — — Map (db m250671) HM
This memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
Ute Pass
Named from the old Ute Trail
which led from South Park
through Manitou to the Plains.
Traversed by the Utes on
hunting and war expeditions.
Improved highway built . . . — — Map (db m32663) HM
This boulder marks the eastern end of the Ute Pass Trail, one of the oldest Indian Trails in the United States.
This trail was marked by the EL Paso Co. Pioneer Ass'n. assisted by Chief Buckskin Charlie and his band of Utes.
Aug. 29, 1912. — — Map (db m282616) HM
Winfield Scott Stratton propelled Manitou Springs into turn-of-the-century tourism.
Winfield Scott Stratton was a one-time carpenter who struck gold near Victor, Colorado, on July 4, 1891. His claim, named the Independence Mine, made Stratton a . . . — — Map (db m250674) HM
When Jerome B. Wheeler decided to open Manitou Springs' first bank, he hired architect J.L. Nichols and Central City contractor MacFarlane & Co. Wheeler was one of Colorado's great financiers and mining barons and a generous benefactor of many . . . — — Map (db m250932) HM
Jerome Wheeler donated this clock in 1889 for the opening of the Manitou Mineral Water Bottling Company. The clock, cast by the J. L. Mott Iron Works of Trenton, New Jersey, was also a fountain. Water flowed from stylized dolphin heads into . . . — — Map (db m55812) HM
