Nolan House 1890

This is one of the most unique looking buildings in Manitou Springs. It was built in 1890 by J.E. Newton, owner of the Newton Lumber Company. He called it the "New Carlon." In 1900, a man named John Nolan bought the house and expanded it to its present size. Nolan was a gambling and saloon hall owner who made his money in Cripple Creek. When he came to Manitou, he bought two saloons.

One saloon was located in the Creighton building where Nolan ran a typical western saloon there with swinging doors. He even imbedded silver dollars in the floor, which were pried loose in the depression years. Nolan also owned the Buffalo Saloon at the corner of Manitou Avenue and Ruxton, where he hand finely carved sandstone buffalo standing out on the sidewalk.

Even though a gambler and saloon owner, Nolan was well-liked and known as "Honest John Nolan." When he retired back east in 1935, he moved the stone buffalo to the Canon Avenue side of his house. Unfortunately, the stone buffalo was destroyed when it was being moved in 1976.

With late 1800s eclectic styling, a Queen Anne window looks out on the first floor porch, which is a mixed with spindle work decorating the underside of the gabled dormer. This majestic building, owned by over a dozen people since Nolan's death is set off with a combination of Manitou greenstone and stucco, embellished with porch brackets and dentals. The turret has columns and a copper finial indicative of this area.

The diamond window mullions were added later for weatherizing purposes. The house boasts six fireplaces with multi-flued chimneys. The gable on the west side of the house has a bulls eye pattern with a semicircular window.

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.

Pearring, John . Pearring, Joanne. The Walking Tour - A Guide to Historic Manitou Springs. Volume Revised Printing. Manitou Springs, CO. TextPros, 1998.