Creighton House 1900

The ca. 1899 Creighton House is build in a classic East Coast Resort style which suits its original function as a summer home. Two popular architectural movements merge in this cedar shingled house. The Arts and Crafts influence can be seen in simplified framing details, shingled column bases, and a rustic stone foundation, while the cross-gambrel roof, double front porch with Chinese Chippendale inserts, and Palladian windows are classic Colonial Revival style.

Copper magnate C.M. Jaques and wife built the house in late 1899/early 1900 to serve as a summer retreat from their home in Lincoln, NE. They enjoyed it for one season, then made a tide profit selling it to Marth Tillitson for $5,000. Martha, wife of a local barbershop owner, insurance broker and real estate agent, resold the home in 1902 for $7,000 to the Hon. Charles W. Barker.

Charles Barker lived here with his wife Nettie and daughter Florence from 1902 till his death in 1905. he must have appreciated the location with its fine view of his hotel, the Barker House. Mr. Barker had a long history as a successful hotelman in Manitou Springs, while also serving on the Manitou Springs Board of Trustees and local School Board. In 1885, he represented the area as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.

Dr. Basil Bernard Creighton and his wife Maud Rees Creighton bought the home in 1907 and raised one son, three daughters, and one grandson here. Born in 1864 in Cincinnati, OH, Basil Creighton led a long life full of adventure. Before attending Medical School in Cincinnati, he had already traveled to Manitou, homesteaded in the San Luis Valley, and visited Paris. After returning to Manitou Springs, due to tuberculosis, he helped locate Glockner Sanatorium, now Penrose Hospital, and became an official town physician in both Cripple Creek and Manitou. Know as the "walking doctor," he was a fierce advocate of ambulatory exercise over horse, buggy, or automobile. He also promoted the local mineral waters with many articles, pamphlets, and prescriptions. From 1912 to 1927, Creighton ran a popular pharmacy and soda fountain in downtown Manitou Springs. Dr. Basil B. Creighton died in 1966, just a few months short of his 102nd birthday. The family sold the house in 1984.

Historic Manitou Springs, Inc., is an educational non-profit based in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak which operates the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and culture of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.

The intent of the organization is to educate citizens and visitors in order to increase appreciation and understanding of this unique community. Before opening the Center Historic Manitou was operated by a board of three persons–Jean Garrity, Deborah Harrison, and Michelle Anthony. During the initial 10 years, we developed a track record of participating in and supporting community projects and events, such as restoration of the Eastern Gateway Arch, rehabilitation of Mansions Park, installation of over 30 Historic Interpretive Plaques throughout town, and placement of the memorial in Crystal Valley Cemetery for Emma Crawford. We have presented the “Ghost Stories of Old Manitou” haunted walking tours as part of the Annual Emma Crawford Festival (i.e., the events surrounding the Coffin Races) since its inception.

Historic Preservation Commission Plaque Accessed Jan 17, 2022. This plaque installed in 2005 by the Manitou Springs Historic Preservation Commission.