Template:Manitou Springs, Colorado
The city of Manitou Springs is a Home Rule Municipality located in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The town was founded for its scenic setting and natural mineral 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. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak. Barr Trail, which winds its way up Pikes Peak, is easily accessible from town.
The population was 4,992 Manitounians at the 2010 census.[6] Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.
History
General William Jackson Palmer and Dr. William Abraham Bell founded Manitou Springs in 1872, intending the town to be a "scenic health resort." In 1876, the town was incorporated.[7] "Manitou Springs has been the quintessential tourist town since the 1870s, when visitors discovered the healing waters the Ute Indians had been drinking for years. Many of the town's mineral springs still function today and the water is free."[8]
Springs compromised in the 1970s
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.
Historic District
Main article: Manitou Springs Historic District
In 1980, the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed by the Historic Preservation Committee to manage development, renovation and preservation within the town.[7] It is National Register of Historic Places listing[9] and one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.[10]
Waldo Canyon Fire
In June 2012, the entire city was evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon Fire burning nearby. Portions of western Colorado Springs were also evacuated. Manitou Springs did not suffer any fire damage and the city was only under evacuation orders from 1:30am Monday until 8pm the same day when the order was lifted and residents were allowed back home. There is no fire damage visible from Manitou Springs and all businesses are currently open.
[11]
Government
Manitou Springs is a local government and a home rule city located within the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.[7]
City council
Manitou Springs is managed by the elected mayor and 6 city council members. The mayor is elected to a 2-year term. Council members are elected to 4 year, overlapping, terms. Three council members are "at large" members and three members represent one of the 3 wards in Manitou Springs.[12][13] Manitou Springs residents may attend the following meetings or working sessions held each month at the Council Chambers at 606 Manitou Avenue.[14]
| 1st Tuesday |
2nd Tuesday |
3rd Tuesday |
4th Tuesday
|
| City Council meeting |
Working session |
City Council meeting |
Optional working session
|
City Boards and Commissions
The Manitou Springs City Boards and Commissions include:[15]
- Business Improvement District sponsors events and promotions to encourage tourism and business within Manitou Springs. It was also formed to "improve the cleanliness, safety, and marketability of the Downtown Historic District."[16]
- Fountain Creek Restoration Committee[17]
- Historic Preservation Commission manages development, restoration and preservation of the Historic District.[18]
- iManitou including the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Visitors Bureau.[19]
- Metro Parking District, which operates parking lots.[20]
- Mineral Springs Foundation was organized to "restore, protect and publicize the natural mineral springs".[21]
- Open Space Advisory Committee was formed to acquire open space.[22]
- Park and Recreation Advisory Board is charged with the enhancement and promotion of the local parks and trails.[23]
- Parking Authority Board[24]
- Planning Commission, with the objective of "guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, well adjusted and harmonious development of the City and its environs."[25]
- Urban Renewal Authority Board to oversee the "redevelopment of the east end of Manitou Avenue."[26]
Geography
The town is bordered by Mt. Manitou to the west, Red Mountain to the south, and Englemann Canyon, south and west. It is near Garden of the Gods, with the same red stone as Red Mountain,[27] and is at the base of Pikes Peak.[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), all of it land.[28]
Climate
| Climate data for Manitou Springs, Colorado
|
| Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
| Record high °F (°C)
|
73
(23)
|
76
(24)
|
81
(27)
|
87
(31)
|
94
(34)
|
100
(38)
|
100
(38)
|
99
(37)
|
94
(34)
|
86
(30)
|
78
(26)
|
77
(25)
|
100
(38)
|
| Average high °F (°C)
|
43
(6)
|
45
(7)
|
52
(11)
|
60
(16)
|
69
(21)
|
79
(26)
|
85
(29)
|
82
(28)
|
75
(24)
|
63
(17)
|
51
(11)
|
42
(6)
|
62.2
(16.8)
|
| Average low °F (°C)
|
18
(−8)
|
20
(−7)
|
26
(−3)
|
33
(1)
|
43
(6)
|
51
(11)
|
57
(14)
|
56
(13)
|
47
(8)
|
36
(2)
|
25
(−4)
|
18
(−8)
|
35.8
(2.1)
|
| Record low °F (°C)
|
−26
(−32)
|
−27
(−33)
|
−11
(−24)
|
−3
(−19)
|
21
(−6)
|
32
(0)
|
42
(6)
|
39
(4)
|
22
(−6)
|
5
(−15)
|
−8
(−22)
|
−24
(−31)
|
−27
(−33)
|
| Precipitation inches (mm)
|
0.32
(8.1)
|
0.36
(9.1)
|
1.00
(25.4)
|
1.42
(36.1)
|
2.03
(51.6)
|
2.50
(63.5)
|
2.84
(72.1)
|
3.34
(84.8)
|
1.19
(30.2)
|
0.82
(20.8)
|
0.40
(10.2)
|
0.34
(8.6)
|
16.56
(420.6)
|
| Source: Weather.com[29]
|
Demographics
As of the census[30] 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.
Commercial district
Manitou Avenue
The side of The Spa and the bridge over Fountain Creek
Cheyenne Spring House, Manitou Avenue
Manitou Avenue and Barker House
Patsy's Candy and arcade area
Canon Street
Canon Street - shops and houses overhead - Manitou Springs
Canon Street - Manitou Springs
Ruxton Avenue
Ruxton Avenue shop and Twin Spring
Attractions and community events
Attractions
Attractions include:[31]
Part of the commercial district
Preserved Baldwin Engine No. 5 on public display at Manitou Springs Depot, September 2006
Mineral springs and parks
- The Springsabouts Walking Tours, a tour of nine of the Manitou Mineral Springs sites offered by the Mineral Springs Foundation. People can also take their own tour of the springs by visiting The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to pick up a free mineral springs brochure, content chart and a sampling cup.[40]
- Parks, from east to west along Manitou Avenue, include Schryver Park, Memorial Park, Mansions Park, and Soda Springs Park. Fields Community Park is located on El Paso Boulevard. Seven Minute Gazebo is located behind Mansions and Memorial Parks.[41][42]
- Manitou Incline, a former incline railway bed that rises over 2,000 feet above Manitou Springs is a popular hiking and fitness activity.
Events
Annual Events include:[43]
|
January
- The Great Fruitcake Toss[36][44]
- Historic Speaker series[45]
February
March
- Historic Speaker series[45]
April
- 9 News Health Fair[47]
- Historic Speaker series[45]
June
July
- July 4 Fireworks
- Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest[52]
- Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb[53]
- Summer concert series at Soda Springs Park
|
August
September
- Commonwheel Arts and Crafts Festival
- Pikes Peak Challenge
- ArtWalk Weekend
October
- Emma Crawford Coffin Races.[36][46]
- Emma's Wake
- Ghost Tours
- Authorfest of the Rockies
November
- MSVFD Turkey Shoot
- Salvation Army Community Dinner
- Victorian Christmas at Miramont
December
- Breakfast with Santa
- Santa at the Town Clock
- Salvation Army Community Dinner
|
Inns and hotels
Notable people
The most successful male athlete in the history of the Pikes Peak Marathon is Matt Carpenter, the outright record holder and winner of the marathon on eleven occasions.[58]
See also
References
Further reading
External links
- City of Manitou Springs official website
- Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Pikes Peak Country Attractions
- CDOT map of the City of Manitou Springs
- Manitou Springs Relocation Resource
- Manitou Springs Wikkii
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