Fountain Creek and the Mineral Springs

We cannot map a town without mapping the geological elements in which a community is formed. Manitou as it exists today was built on the elements; the snow melt off the mountains flows through the center of town, the tributary of Fountain Creek forming north near Talcott Gulch, moving south to meet the Arkansas River in Pueblo.

The minerals of the famous springs are composed of varying degrees of:

Calcium
Chloride
Copper
Fluoride
Iron
Lithium
Magnesium
Manganese
Potassium
Silica
Sodium
Sulfate
Zinc

Coupled with the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the aquifers, you are left with mild and healthy soda water to taste directly from the source at points throughout Manitou Springs.

The life of this community is centered on these waters. Native tribes came together seasonally here, putting aside tribal disputes to drink of the healing waters in peace. In 1868, General William Palmer and his business partner William Bell visited Manitou, and saw opportunities in the mineral springs. Historian William Wyckoff writes, "Bell, a physician, saw the medicinal potential for the springs, while Palmer's vision expanded to a broader belief that 'there will be a famous resort here soon after the R.Rd reaches Denver.' Over the next twelve months, Palmer convinced himself that he would be the architect of such a grand plan." Indeed, he did, and by 1874, Manitou Springs had established itself to become a destination for wealthy health-seeking visitors, drawn to the promises of the restorative waters.

image credit

Taking in the natural springs.

Fountain Creek

As a public place of immense beauty, Fountain Creek is a common path to walk along and explore. It draws people of every kind to feel the water rush through their fingers. One can sit and talk with locals and tourists along the banks; stomp through the rocky creek bed to cool off on a hot day; watch the speed with which the creek moves from the old stone bridges with a frozen custard from Patsy's in hand.

The following is a from a photo series documenting a walk up the stream over two days. I found so much magic on this walk, as every careful bend around a tree trunk let to another surprise: a musician strumming his guitar while he sang for the trees; a cluster of covertly vaping teens; a hidden wood carving. I spoke to a man who was sitting half submerged and fully dressed, chatting with passers-by, proud to have just conquered Mt Manitou that morning.

The creek as a place to wander and feel, to talk, and to listen allows us to see Manitou Springs from a new and refreshing vantage point. We can see a true cross section of the city this way, and become part of it as well. These pictures then, serve as a pinpoint on the cultural map of Manitou Springs.

Citations

"The Ground Beneath," Mineral Springs Foundation, accessed 7/23/2017. http://manitoumineralsprings.org/geology.html

"Manitou Springs' Mineral Content," Manitou Springs Foundation, accessed 7/23/2017. http://manitoumineralsprings.org/pdf_files/Mineral_Content_Chart_2015.pdf

Harrison, Deborah. "Colorado’s First Resort Destination." Accessed 7/12/2017. https://manitousprings.org/history/

Wyckoff, William. Creating Colorado: The Making of a Western American Landscape, 1860-1940. (Yale University Press, 1999), page 136. Accessed 7/23/2017. https://books.google.com/bookshl=en&lr=&id=aO2jDaNhHmoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=william+palmer+manitou+springs&ots=8ItRsMLG9-&sig=1X3DisVQbeU_POCmLwO77zyHKNc#v=onepage&q=manitou%20springs&f=false.