Adopt a Spring
Cheyenne Spring
The spring house protecting Cheyenne Spring was built in the 1890’s using sandstone from the Kenmuir Quarry – now Red Rocks Open Space. Through the Adopt-a-Spring program, you can help with font restoration and the installation of a plexiglass cover over the cistern. This will help protect the spring while still allowing visitors to view the spring and its historic carbon-dioxide collecting gas bell. Cheyenne Spring offers naturally carbonated artesian soda spring water.
Navajo Spring
Dating back to before 1870 Navajo Spring’s bubbly soda water has always been a popular mineral spring water treat. Join the ranks of the “Navajo Springs Dippers” and adopt this famous spring to help with restoration of the font and some major repairs including a new waterproof access port or well cover, a vent screen and a flapper valve on the overflow drain.
7 Minute Spring
7 Minute Spring was drilled next to the former Manitou House Hotel in 1909. This faithful little spring produces a geyser of fresh mineral spring water every seven minutes! Restoration efforts needed include cleaning of the font which was designed through collaboration with Bill Burgess and Don and Maxine Green. Other improvements around the font include grading and landscaping gravel. Funds raised through the Adopt-a-Spring will also allow the Mineral Springs Foundation to conduct much needed restoration of Seven Minute pavilion.
Wheeler Spring
Named after Jerome B. Wheeler, founder of the first bank in Manitou Springs back in 1859, and the first Fire Department in 1892, Wheeler Spring was drilled around 1920 and is showing it’s age. The font restoration needed will consist mainly of cleaning and re-grouting the current structure (designed by Randy Bowen) and installation of a vent screen.
Twin Spring
Twin Spring is the lemonade spring! This spring’s effervescent water makes everyone’s favorite lemonade. Drilled in 1920, this strong flowing spring is a favorite among young and old alike. The springs owner Kerstin Ericsson designed Twin Springs’ unique font. The adoption of this spring will help with font restoration and repair, installation of a splash guard to prevent the buildup of ice on the sidewalk during the winter, and installation of a required air gap.
Stratton Spring
Named after Winfield Scott Stratton, the region’s first “self-made millionaire” who brought rail and trolley service to Manitou, Stratton Spring was drilled in 1936 and boasts sparkling soda water flowing from the font located at the foot of Ruxton Avenue on “The Loop” where historically, trolleys used to turn around. After 87 years, the Stratton Spring font is in need of restoration and the well head needs to be raised a few inches above existing grade. Adopt-a-Spring funds will also be used for some much-needed mechanical repairs.
Iron Spring Geyser
As early as the 1840’s Iron Spring water was recognized for its healing powers and as a strong tonic. In 1910 Joseph G. Heistand, a prominent entrepreneur, drilled the Iron Spring geyser and completed it with a hand-blown glass font and built a distinctive hip roofed pavilion. Iron Spring is in need of a new font, which will require finding an artist to design one. Just think about it – your adoption of this spring will help fund the consignment of an artistic design at a significant historic location!
Shoshone Spring
Shoshone Spring, housed in one of the iconic “spring houses” along Manitou Avenue draws water from deep below the surface which is rich in mineral content – and averages 70 degrees F! The current structure, built in 1890, experiences heavy use and is impacted by the high mineral content of the spring water itself. Font restoration is needed, and Adopt-a-Spring funds will be used for installation of a plexiglass cover over the cistern.