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Stratton Spring: A Glimpse into Manitou's Past

Discover Stratton Spring in Manitou Springs: A historic mineral spring at the crossroads of trails, trolley lines, and highways.

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Stratton Spring in Manitou Springs is a historic mineral spring drilled in 1936 by the Stratton Foundation. Situated at the intersection of Manitou's old trolley lines and modern roads, it offers a refreshing taste of the town's effervescent history.

A brief summary to Stratton Spring

  • 955 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, West Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80829, US
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Bring a small container to sample the spring water. Cups are sometimes available, but it's best to be prepared.
  • Combine your visit to Stratton Spring with a walking tour of Manitou Springs' other mineral springs to experience the variety of tastes.
  • Check the Mineral Springs Foundation website for the latest water quality reports and any advisories.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    Stratton Spring is located at 955 Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs. If you are already in the downtown area, it is easily accessible by foot. From the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, walk west on Manitou Avenue for about 0.3 miles. The spring will be on your right. There are sidewalks along Manitou Avenue, making for an easy and pleasant walk.

  • Public Transport

    If you're coming from Colorado Springs, take the Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) bus route 3 towards Manitou Springs. Get off at the stop closest to 955 Manitou Ave on Manitou Avenue. Walk a short distance west (about 0.2 miles) along Manitou Avenue, and you will find Stratton Spring on your right. A single fare on the bus is $2.

  • Driving

    If driving from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, head east on Garden of the Gods Road for about 0.5 miles. Turn left onto 30th Street and continue for about 1 mile until you reach the intersection with Manitou Avenue (CO-24). Turn right onto Manitou Avenue and drive approximately 2 miles. Stratton Spring will be on your left at 955 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Parking is available in designated lots and on-street. Parking is always free after 6 p.m. Metered parking costs vary, but expect to pay around $1-2 per hour. Some lots offer all-day parking for $5.

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Discover more about Stratton Spring

Stratton Spring is one of the eight mineral springs in Manitou Springs, Colorado, each offering a unique taste and a glimpse into the town's storied past. Drilled in 1936 by the Stratton Foundation, it was intended as a practical resource and a service to the community during the Great Depression. The spring is named after Winfield Scott Stratton, a mining magnate who became the region's first self-made millionaire. Located at what was once known as “The Loop,” the intersection of Manitou and Ruxton Avenues, Stratton Spring marks a place where indigenous trails, historic trolley lines, and the modern highway system converge. This area was the turnaround point for the electric streetcars that served Manitou Springs in the early 20th century. The streetcars, operated by the Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway Company, connected Manitou Springs with downtown Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Today, Stratton Spring continues to flow, providing visitors and locals with a taste of Manitou's distinctive mineral water. The Mineral Springs Foundation regularly tests the water to ensure its safety, though an advisory has been issued regarding manganese levels. While the water is safe to taste, it is not intended as a primary source of drinking water.

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