History

Manitou Incline – From Utility to Attraction

Manitou Incline 517 Event

The Manitou Springs Heritage Center is having a “517 at 5:17” Event tonight, November 8th at 5:17 PM, for the opening of its newest exhibit titled “The Manitou Incline – From Utility to Attraction”. The exhibit relates the story of how the installation of a pipeline for a hydro-electric plant became a famous tourist amusement for 81 years. Now it’s a famous location for it’s extreme physical challenge even though it still isn’t legal to hike.

Based on his comprehensive research of the Incline, Eric Swab created the exhibit featuring photos and artifacts from 1903 to the current day. Mr. Swab’s complete Incline history in booklet form will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. In addition, a special compilation video featuring a historic film, a video of the last ride up the Incline, and still photos has been created by Heritage Center volunteer Ashley Swendsen and is a highlight of the exhibit.

“The Manitou Springs Heritage Center is very grateful that Mr. Swab agreed to put together the exhibit.” stated boardmember Michelle Anthony. “Eric is great to work with and does a terrific job; we are fortunate to be able to present exhibits he is involved in.” Colorado Springs Utilities and the Incline Friends board helped financially with the exhibit. Admission to the Heritage Center is free but financial support is still needed to cover exhibit costs, so please consider making a contribution.

The Manitou Springs Heritage Center is located at 517 Manitou Avenue in Manitou. Hours of operation starting November 2nd will be Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 to 5 pm. To find out more about the Manitou Springs Heritage Center visit their website at www.manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

In addition to the Incline exhibit at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center, Eric Swab will talk about the history of the Incline at 11 AM Friday, November 9th, at the Old Colorado City History Center, 1 S. 24th St., Colorado Springs. The title of his talk is “The Manitou Incline – From Drinking Water to Tourism”.

Doors open at 10:30 AM and seating is limited. Historical Society members can attend free and entry for others is $5. Find out more on the Old Colorado City Historical Society website.

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1960s? Postcard

1960s Manitou Incline Cable Car

I found this postcard of the Manitou Incline cable car a little below the top. In it you can see the pulleys in the center of the tracks for the cables. Click for a larger image to see the pulleys better.

On the back the text says, “The thrilling mile and a quarter ride on the Mt. Manitou Incline affords passengers with superb panoramic views: Manitou Springs nestled in the valley below, Garden of the Gods, and an unending expanse of the Great Plains.”

It doesn’t have any date on it. My initial thought was that it was from the 70s because of the color and the way the guy is dressed. Then I noticed that the US Highway 24 Bypass wasn’t build yet. It was built in the late 1960s so the photo has to at least before that.

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