Wheeler Bank Building 1888

This fitted-to-lot building was not the first bank in the city, though its roots go back to the original money that banked here in town. The Jerome B. Wheeler Bank Building was the first bank. It served folks in the Wheeler Building at 717-719 Manitou Avenue for only a few years before succumbing to a silver depression in 1893.

The original address across the street however was 197 Manitou Avenue, an unofficial numbering system that was begun just west of the now gone Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot a few blocks to the east. The J.B. Wheeler Banking Company was only one of the Wheeler's projects in the state. During the depression of the 1890s, Wheeler's bank in Manitou was damaged to the point of closing. As bank president, Wheeler accepted personal responsibility for keeping others afloat, to his own loss.

The new bank at 814 was financed by J.F. Campbell and his wife, Besse, in 1908. They felt that an up and coming bank needed its own bank building. Several years later, the bank building was purchased by the bank's stockholders.

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. Mantiou Springs, CO. TextPros, 1998.