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Home > Neighborhoods > Cities > Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs Real Estate
Manitou Springs Homes and Land
History runs deep in the artsy community of Manitou Springs, population 4,980 (in 2005). Manitou Springs (the Indian name for the Great Spirit) was originally called Villa La Font. When Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 General W.J. Palmer, president of the Rio Grande, laid it out as a model city. Palmer later built a six-mile spur line from Manitou Springs for access to town. The Colorado Springs and Manitou Street Railway Co. was formed in 1886 and built a line along Tejon Street to the Colorado College Campus. In Colorado Springs’ early years saloons and gambling houses were unwelcome. Those seeking alcohol had to travel to the more unruly Colorado City, or nearby Manitou Springs.
Today travelers stopping in Colorado Springs often visit Manitou, 6 miles to the west of downtown, at the foot of Pikes Peak, altitude 6,320 feet. Manitou Springs is famous for its16 springs whose waters contain various minerals and even something resembling soda water. The most popular springs are named: Ute Iron, Soda, Navajo, Ute Chief, Geyser, Mansions, Soda-Iron, Twin Shoshone, Minnehaha, Magnetic, and Magnesia. The same springs that brought tuberculosis patients to Manitou Springs to drink of their healing power has similar appeal today for tourists desiring to taste this healing water that spurts up from the earth. http://www.manitousprings.org
SCHOOLS
Families have been making the choice to send their students to Manitou Springs School District No. 14 for more than 100 years. Schools in District 14 include: Manitou Springs Elementary School, Ute Pass Elementary School, Manitou Springs Middle School, and Manitou Springs High School.
There are many reasons to attend Manitou Springs District 14, but some forget to note its small enrollment and its close proximity to ever-growing Colorado Springs. District 14, however, maintains a true small-school atmosphere. Despite small numbers Manitou Springs High School students continue to win academic, educational and athletic awards.
SHOPPING & SERVICES
From T-shirts to cowboy hats and fine art to art deco, you can find more than a shopping bag full in Manitou Springs. Spend hours browsing in shops and galleries that call the Manitou Springs National Historic District home. The streets meander along Fountain Creek and are just meant for walking. There are trading posts, boutiques with ethnic clothing, pottery makers, and gourmet foods, in all over 150 shops, galleries, and restaurants.
PARKS & RECREATION
Manitou Springs is surrounded by hiking and biking trails, from beginner to advanced. Maps are available at the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, 354 Manitou Avenue. An ever-popular trail is nearby Waldo Canyon off of Highway 24. If you go early, you may even find that the parking lot is full as it is a hiking destination for most every outdoor enthusiast living in Colorado Springs.
To date, the Mineral Springs Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Manitou Springs, private individuals and numerous organizations have restored a number of the springs to their original splendor. The waters are available free to the public. People fill cups or jugs from their favorite spring. Walking tours called “Springsabouts” are held and maps are available for those who prefer to tour the springs at their own pace.
Other attractions include: The Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Cave of the Winds, Cliff Dwellings Museum, Garden of the Gods Trading Post, Miramont Castle, and nearby Santa’s Workshop/North Pole and the Van Briggle Art and Pottery facility.
LOCATION
Manitou Springs is located 4 miles west of Colorado Springs. From downtown Colorado Springs take Colorado Avenue through Old Colorado City until you reach the historic city of Manitou Springs.
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