Park Avenue Bridge 1907

The Park Avenue Bridge was built in 1907 and is made of Manitou greenstone. This bridge as well as the almost identical Canon Avenue Bridge (1906) were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Park Avenue Bridge is located over Fountain Creek near Soda Springs Park. Manitou Springs still has most of its greenstone bridges which replaced rustic wooden bridges.

Both the Park Avenue Bridge and the Canon Avenue Bridge, located at the intersection of Lovers Lane and Canon Avenue, are still in service. A Colorado Department of Transportation survey notes this bridge and the almost identical Canon Avenue Bridge are considered excellent examples of the only bridges of rubble arch construction in Colorado built by labor other than the Works Project Administration. Greenstone was quarried around Manitou Springs from approximately 1890 to 1940 and is found only in this area. Both bridges feature semicircular arches and decorative, recessed benches on each side. They remain architecturally and structurally intact and are still in use.

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.

History Colorado, National Register Jun 24, 1985, Site Number 5EP.530.7. Accessed January 12th 2022. https://www.historycolorado.org/location/manitou-springs-bridge-park-avenue.

Historic Preservation Commission Plaque accessed Jan 13, 2022. This plaque installed in 2004 by the Manitou Springs Historic Preservation Commission with the assistance of the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund.