Manitou Springs Historic District

Manitou Springs Historic District is a neighborhood with about 80 buildings lining winding streets at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The area contains Victorian homes, Queen Anne structures, churches, and hotels arranged around the natural terrain and mineral springs that flow through the valley.

The district took shape in the 1870s when the Gillis Brothers construction company built many of its major structures, including Miramont Castle and the Congregational Church. This early building boom created the architectural character that the neighborhood still displays today.

Local residents and visitors see the mineral springs as sources of wellness and connection to the land's earlier spiritual traditions. The springs remain gathering places where people come to rest and reflect.

Manitou Avenue is the main commercial street where most shops and cafes are located, while Ruxton Avenue and Canon Street offer additional businesses. Walking these streets gives you a sense of how the neighborhood is organized and used by locals.

Many homes feature decks, porches, and terraced stone walls because the mountain valley has limited flat land, forcing builders to adapt structures to the slope. This adaptation gives the neighborhood a distinctive appearance quite different from typical towns.

Location: Manitou Springs

GPS coordinates: 38.85780,-104.92100

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00