Manitou Springs Historic District

Manitou Springs, also called "Saratoga of the West", was established as a resort community, known for its mineral springs and "spectacular setting" and at the base of Pikes Peak. Manitou Avenue is the main thoroughfare and location for most of the district's businesses. Some businesses are located on Ruxton Avenue and Canon Street. Residences are located along winding streets on hills that overlook the center of town. The following year the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed. In 1981 the commission administered their Design Review Guidelines. It has the "authority to review and approve, conditionally approve, or deny alterations to existing resources or new construction in the Historic District." Seven commissioners and up to three alternate commissioners are appointed by the City Council. In 1983, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. ==Natural springs==

The town has several mineral springs, called manitou for the "breath of the Great Spirit Manitou" believed to have created the "effervescence" in the spring water. The springs were considered sacred grounds where Native Americans drank and soaked in the mineral water to replenish and heal themselves. There were 9 or 10 natural springs. As whites moved in there were "skirmishes" for access to the historical resort area until the Native Americans were removed from the area and placed on reservations. Forty-eight years later, a plan for a health resort was developed by Dr. William Abraham Bell and William Jackson Palmer, a general during the American Civil War: In 1873 Henry McAllister, a developer working for Palmer, touted the medicinal benefits of the springs and that Manitou Springs had the necessary components of a successful spa resort, including "incomparable climate and scenery". Medical practitioners, such as Dr. Edwin Solly, promoted the health benefits of the "pure air" and sunny Rocky Mountain climate as the "world's best suited therapeutic environment" for the treatment of tuberculosis. He also believed in the benefits of mineral spring water which drew tourists and the infirm, particularly people with tuberculosis, to the area. Some springs were enclosed as the town grew. One of the enclosures, in red sandstone and under a "conical roofed structure", is the Cheyenne Spring House. There were more than 50 drilled wells and springs after the turn of the century. Since then, more were enclosed. After a period when the town's popularity diminished, some springs were closed, capped or paved over. Then the Mineral Springs Foundation was formed in 1987 to restore some of the springs and promote the benefits of the town's spring water. Walking tours of the town's springs are called "Springabouts". Manitou Springs water was sold "worldwide". File:Shoshone Spring 2.JPG|Shoshone Spring, Manitou Avenue File:Cheyenne Spring House 3.JPG|Cheyenne Spring House, Manitou Avenue File:Twin Spring.JPG|Twin Spring, Ruxton Avenue ==Churches==

There are three churches in the historic district: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, First Congregationalist Church and Our Lady of Perpectual Help Catholic Church. The Congregational Church, believed to have been designed by Robert S. Roeschlaub, built of stone and ashlar, is located on 101 Pawnee Street. It was built in 1880 by the Gillis Brothers. The English Gothic Episcopal church at 808 Manitou Street, funded in part by William Bell and his wife, co-founders of the town, was built in 1905. H. A. Macomb was the architect. The Gothic Catholic Church on 218 Ruxton Street, is surrounded by walls and a cobblestone grotto; one access point to the church is a bridge that crosses over Ruxton Creek. File:St Andy Manitou.JPG|St Andrews Episcopal Church, 808 Manitou File:First Congregational Church (Manitou Springs, Colorado).JPG|First Congregationalist Church, 101 Pawnee Avenue ==Hotels and motels==

Current hotels/Inns include the Craftwood Inn, Cliff House, McLaughlin Family Lodge and Sunnyside Hotel. Sunnyside Hotel, which was located on Pawnee Street, began as a cottage and was expanded over time. As people began to take vacations by automobile, their lodging requirements changed. El Colorado is an example of a motel that was built for parking and access convenience. File:El Colorado Lodge 2, Manitou Springs.jpg|El Colorado Lodge ==High style buildings==

Inns El Paso Boulevard is home to several "High style" houses, which are now inns. One is Red Crags, a red sandstone building built about 1890s, which is "dramatically sited on a slope". It is at 302 El Paso. Next are Rockledge Country Inn and Onaledge Bed and Breakfast at 328 El Paso. Both buildings were designed in 1913; are Elizabethan architecture with stucco, stone and wood; and have stone walls. Craftwood Inn, at 404 El Paso, is also Elizabethan with clipped gables. Homes and museum Aside from the "High style" houses that have become inns, there are a few others that are traditional residences. Nolan House and Redstone Castle are Queen Anne architecture, both with prominent turrets. Miramont Castle is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, but primarily Queen Anne. There are five other High style houses in the Manitou Springs Historic District; Several are Shingles style, but there are also Second Empire, chalet, a mixture of styles and a Pueblo type house. File:Miramont (Manitou Springs, Colorado).JPG|Miramont Castle ==Commercial==

Manitou Springs's historic district was built in the 19th century. Historic preservation has made for "quaint boutiques", galleries and restaurants. File:Wheeler Bank 717-719 Manitou Avenue.JPG|Wheeler Bank 717-719 Manitou Avenue ==Industrial==

• Manitou Incline • Midland Terminal Railway • Midland Railroad • Cog Railroad ==Other==

• Stone bridge over Fountain Creek in Memorial Park ==Gallery==

File:Manitou Springs City Hall.JPG|Manitou Springs City Hall File:Manitou springs.jpg File:ManSprings3.JPG File:ManSprings4.JPG File:ManSprings2.JPG ==Notes==