Manitou Springs, Colorado
Manitou Springs Historic District
First Congregational Church - Manitou Mineral Springs - Manitou Springs Bridges - Midland Railroad - Midland Railroad Roundhouse - Manitou Post Office - Wheeler Bank - See also Historic buildings list
Historic hotels, inns and lodging
Barker House - Briarhurst - Cliff House
Attractions
Cave of the Winds - Cliff Dwellings - Cog Railway - Miramont Castle - Pikes Peak - See also Manitou Springs Attractions
Events
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon - Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - Pikes Peak Marathon - See also Manitou Springs Events
Schools
Manitou Springs School District 14 - Manitou Springs High School
Trails
Barr Trail - Manitou Incline
Other

Miramont Castle is a museum located in Manitou Springs, Colorado.[2] The Castle was originally built in 1895 as a private home for Father Jean Baptist Francolon, a French-born Catholic priest.[3][4] Located in the Manitou Springs Historic District, it is a National Register of Historic Places listing.[5]

History

Father Jean Baptiste Francolon built Miramont Castle in 1895. The house is "an eclectic estate that blends a variety of architectural styles from Byzantine to Tudor."[6] Construction was completed in 1896.[7] The castle is an architectural example of the Victorian Era. In 1976 Miramont Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places[8] due to its significant historic heritage and architectural variety.[9][10][11]

Sisters of Mercy operated Montcalm Sanitarium at Miramont,[6] sharing the property with Francolon.[7][nb 1]

Popular folklore has it that the castle is haunted with various apparitions and unexplained phenomenon as reported by visitors and staff.[12][13]

Current

The house is now a Victorian-era historic house museum that is owned and operated by the Manitou Springs Historical Society. Visitors can tour 42 furnished rooms and gardens. The site also features a tea room and gift shop.

Notes

  1. ^ There's also a report that the Sisters acquired the dormant Miramont Castle in 1904, after Father Francolon had moved away in 1900.[12]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ Welcome to Miramont Castle. Miramontcastle.org. Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  3. ^ "Manitou Springs castle served as a refuge for a reclusive priest". The Gazette. Docs.newsbank.com (June 10, 1990). Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  4. ^ Miramont Castle Museum Archived 2009-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. Pikes-peak.com. Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  5. ^ National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado. American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Best of Colorado. Big Earth Publishing. September 1, 2002. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-56579-429-0. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Holiday house tour starts ominously, ends on a happy note". The Gazette. Nl.newsbank.com (December 15, 1991). Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  8. ^ NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources. Docs.newsbank.com (December 9, 1988). Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  9. ^ Star Telegram: Search results. Newsbank. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  10. ^ "Lore Springs from Manitou Waters. (Sunday Magazine/Travel)." Denver: Rocky Mountain News. Primary Source Media. 1998. HighBeam Research. May 5, 2013
  11. ^ Miramont Castle. Dread Central. Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Dark Destinations - Miramont Castle. Thecabinet.com. Retrieved on May 5, 2013.
  13. ^ Colorado’s Haunted Architecture – Miramont Castle. Thecoloradoarchitect.com. Retrieved on May 5, 2013.

External links