Cold mountain streams, descending from the snow melt on Pike's Peak, once made Manitou Springs a popular summer resort where one could take the "water cure" by drinking mineral waters, which also bubble up from beneath the ground. Seen in the background is the Manitou Penny Arcade, built over a stream and near the mineral fountains.
The sound of water constantly falling and flowing does indeed give the place a cool and magical spirit -- one can understand why the native tribes called it "Manitou." Like the ancient Celts, the Utes and Cheyenne recognized wells as sacred places, where the energy of the earth rises and gives life.
In the summer, the reason for gathering here was even more practical -- travelling up the side of Pike's Peak was a form of natural air conditioning. As one climbs toward timberline, the temperature drops dramatically, and the snow cap on top rarely melts completely. It was the only real ice cream parlor for hundreds of miles around!
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