Barker House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Barker House is a four-story Queen Anne-style building with a U-shaped layout, two corner towers, and 23 bay windows, originally built in 1872 and expanded from 1880 onward. The structure combines a wood frame with a stone foundation and displays the architectural details typical of 19th-century resort hotels.
The building was constructed in 1872 by artist Theodore Pine and purchased in 1880 by Charles W. Barker, who expanded it to 110 rooms by 1890, making it one of the most modern hotels of its time. After Barker's death in 1905, the building changed hands multiple times and was eventually restored in 1984 for senior housing, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The building takes its name from Charles W. Barker, a local politician and former schoolteacher who expanded the hotel in the 1880s and shaped its character. It reflects how Manitou Springs functioned as a resort town where such hotels served as gathering places for the community.
The building is located in the small town of Manitou Springs and is easily walkable from the historic downtown area, where you can also see other old buildings and shops. You can view the exterior at any time, but plan to spend time exploring the surrounding area and learning more about local history from community resources.
The hotel featured Colorado's first hydraulic elevator and rare bathrooms on each floor, making it a pioneer of modern comfort when such amenities were uncommon. These advanced features reflected Charles W. Barker's commitment to providing a refined experience for discerning travelers.
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