Manitou Springs, Colorado Weather Cams
Manitou Incline
Manitou Springs, Colorado: From Healing Waters to Mountain Haven
Manitou Springs, Colorado Weather Cams. Tucked between the Garden of the Gods and the towering slopes of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, Colorado has been a place of refuge, rejuvenation, and wonder for centuries. Its history is steeped in Native American heritage, mineral springs mythology, Victorian tourism, and enduring creative energy. With its blend of natural beauty and spiritual resonance, Manitou has long stood as a mountain town unlike any other along Colorado’s Front Range.
Long before European settlers arrived, the region was revered by the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples, who considered the mineral springs sacred. The naturally carbonated waters bubbling from the ground were believed to have healing properties, and the area around the springs served as a place of peace—where rival tribes would set aside conflict to bathe, drink, and hold ceremonies. Archaeological evidence shows long-term seasonal habitation, and oral histories recount journeys to the “breathing waters” of the shadowed canyon.
In the late 1850s, after gold was discovered in the Rockies, streams of settlers flooded the area via the Ute Pass and across the plains. Among them were physicians and entrepreneurs intrigued by the purported curative properties of the springs. Dr. William A. Bell, a British physician and partner in the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, and General William J. Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs, were pivotal figures in Manitou’s transformation. In 1872, they established the Manitou Springs Company with a vision of building a premier health resort—a kind of “Saratoga of the West.”
The town was deliberately laid out to resemble a European spa village, with winding roads, Victorian architecture, and hotels built to attract health seekers. Grand institutions like the Cliff House (opened in 1874), the Barker House, and the Iron Springs Hotel welcomed guests with the promise of wellness and mountain air. Bathhouses were constructed to channel the mineral waters, while bottling operations grew to send Manitou’s fizzy spring water across the nation.
By the late 19th century, Manitou Springs had achieved national prominence as both a health retreat and a resort town. Tuberculosis patients, wealthy travelers, and artists alike flocked to its temperate climate and soothing environment. The Manitou Incline was originally built in 1907 as a cog railway to support a hydroelectric project but later became a tourist attraction offering thrilling views of the valley and Pikes Peak. Nearby attractions like the Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds cemented the town’s reputation as a scenic marvel.
Manitou also grew as a spiritual and artistic enclave. The town’s slightly eccentric, otherworldly vibe attracted creative thinkers, mystics, and performers. Its narrow canyon streets, flickering gaslights, and curative mythology created a setting that inspired painters, writers, and theatrical troupes. Even in periods of economic decline, Manitou retained a core of unconventional residents who valued the town’s Bohemian essence.
The early 20th century brought both modern innovation and challenges. The advent of the automobile broadened access, turning Manitou into a popular day-trip and summer destination. At the same time, changing medical science dimmed the reputation of mineral springs as health cures. The Great Depression, followed by World War II, dampened the tourism economy. Several grand hotels shuttered, and the once-polished spa district began to fade.
Yet Manitou Springs never fully lost its appeal. The postwar decades saw a surge in roadside tourism, with Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings—replica Ancestral Puebloan structures—drawing vacationing families. Local businesses pivoted toward whimsical charm: arcades, souvenir shops, and eclectic diners took root in the restored downtown. In the 1960s and ’70s, a new wave of artists and counterculturalists revitalized the town, bringing art galleries, craft fairs, and a fiercely independent ethos.
Preservation efforts in the late 20th century helped solidify Manitou’s identity as a heritage town. The city designated its downtown as a historic district, protecting Victorian architecture and investing in infrastructure restoration. The mineral springs, once threatened by development and disuse, were revitalized through public-private partnerships. Today, visitors can follow the Mineral Springs Walking Tour, sampling water from eight restored fountains around town—each with a distinct flavor profile and mineral composition.
The surrounding region plays a key role in Manitou’s character. The Garden of the Gods, with its iconic red rock spires, has long served as both a spiritual site and geological wonder. To the west, the Ute Pass leads toward the Florissant Fossil Beds and South Park, while nearby Red Rock Canyon Open Space and North Cheyenne Cañon Park offer world-class trails and biodiversity. Pikes Peak itself remains a defining feature. The Pikes Peak Highway and the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway (opened in 1891 and reopened after renovations in 2021) offer access to the mountain that inspired “America the Beautiful.”
Manitou’s population, hovering around 5,000, continues to reflect a blend of artists, outdoor enthusiasts, long-time locals, and wellness seekers. The town supports numerous festivals including the Emma Crawford Coffin Races—honoring a 19th-century spiritualist whose remains once slid down Red Mountain—and the Commonwheel Arts Festival. Local shops feature handmade crafts, metaphysical goods, and artisan foods, while live music flows from intimate venues and patios.
Environmental resilience has become central to Manitou’s future. Devastating wildfires in nearby Waldo Canyon in 2012 and flood events in following years underscored the fragility of its mountain location. In response, the community has invested in fire mitigation, flood control, and sustainable development. These measures blend pragmatic adaptation with the deep reverence for place that has always defined Manitou.
Today, Manitou Springs stands as a fusion of old-world charm and modern vitality. Its red rock canyons and mineral springs speak to ancient geologies and traditions; its Victorian streets hum with creativity and quirk. Whether one arrives seeking healing, adventure, or simply the magic of a place that flows to its own rhythm, Manitou Springs remains a rare gem—eternally bubbling with life.
For more information, visit the Manitou Springs, Colorado official website.