Manitou Springs, Colorado

The city of Manitou Springs is a Home Rule Municipality located in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,980 at the 2000 census.

Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.

Although nearby Colorado Springs is sometimes called "the Springs", some residents of Manitou or of westside Colorado Springs refer to both cities together as "the Springs". The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to Pike's Peak, which is visible from Manitou Springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, as the downtown area consists of many one story, adjoining, small shops, restaurants, and pubs, as well as a creekside city park with a children's playground made from unusual materials. Among other services, shops cater to tourist interests such as clothing, candy, souvenirs, and outdoor recreation.

Manitou Springs history

Manitou Springs derives its name from two dozen mineral springs situated throughout the area, many of which have drinking spigots for the public. The minerals present at each location change the flavor of the local water.

Originally known as Manitou, the town tried to change the name to Manitou Springs in 1885, but the proper paperwork was not filed. In early 1935 the voters officially approved the name change to Manitou Springs, and the change was endorsed by the Colorado Secretary of State later that same year.

In the early 1900s, the town became known as a health destination for people suffering from tuberculosis. The clean mountain air and mineral springs waters were part of a healthy retreat for people arriving by rail from across the country.

In the 1970s, Woodland Park, 19 miles (31 km) up Ute Pass, built a sewage treatment plant on top of the fault line that forms the Pass. As a result, many of the springs were made undrinkable during the bulk of the 1980s, but this has since largely been corrected.

Since the recent 2008 construction, Manitou has new springs to offer.

Geography

Manitou Springs is located at (38.856559, -104.909996)^[6].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census^[7] of 2000, there were 4,980 people, 2,452 households, and 1,255 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,642.6 people per square mile (634.6/km²). There were 2,654 housing units at an average density of 875.4 per square mile (338.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 0.50% African American, 1.06% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.65% of the population.

There were 2,452 households out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.8% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,514, and the median income for a family was $57,260. Males had a median income of $39,102 versus $24,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,492. About 4.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions and community events

• The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway goes from Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak.
• Fruitcake Toss and Fruitcake Launch in January
• The Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo cook off and Mardi Gras Parade
• The Emma Crawford Coffin Races Festivities start with a parade through town of the teams of four pall bearers and one "Emma" who will be racing through town with their coffin. Typically, the race is held on the last Saturday in October. The races have been covered Nationally by the Travel Channel.
• Briarhurst Manor, the Victorian Manor House built in 1876 by the founder of Manitou Springs, Dr. William Bell
• The Manitou Cliff Dwellings^[8] is a full size replica of Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, as well as a museum. The cliff dwellings were relocated in the early 1900s from their original location in the Four Corners area.^[9]
• The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, a small luxury hotel and dining room, on the National Register of Historic Places
• Iron Springs Chateau and melodrama
• Soda Springs Park, a cultural mecca
• Cave of the Winds (Colorado), Tours of the complex of caves are given daily.

See also

• Colorado municipalities
• Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area
• El Paso County, Colorado
• Front Range Urban Corridor
• South Central Colorado Urban Area
• State of Colorado
• William Bell (city founder)

References

External links

• Manitou Springs: The Gateway to Pikes Peak | Official Visitor's Site
• Pike's Peak Area Attractions
• City of Manitou Springs website
  • CDOT map of the City of Manitou Springs
• The Cliff House at Pikes Peak website
• Story Maddox Gallery