Briarhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Briarhurst Manor
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Briarhurst Manor, Front View
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, Colorado |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Varian & Sterner; Frederick Sterner |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000473 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1973 |
Briarhurst Manor, also known as the William A. Bell House, is a beautiful old mansion in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It's made from pink sandstone and has a classic Victorian look. This amazing building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important historical site. It's actually the second building built on this spot.
Contents
The Story of Briarhurst Manor
Who Built Briarhurst Manor?
The first Briarhurst Manor was started in 1872. It was built for Dr. William Bell, who helped found Manitou Springs. Dr. Bell traveled to England to marry Cara. Cara agreed to live in Colorado, but she wanted her children to be born in England.
A Grand Home and Important Guests
The first home was built in the Tudor Revival style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. A stream called Fountain Creek flows through the property. The famous Pikes Peak mountain stands tall nearby.
Under Mrs. Cara Bell's guidance, Briarhurst Manor became a very popular place. It was known as "the social center" of the community. Many famous people visited, including President Grant and President Teddy Roosevelt. Even the famous writer Oscar Wilde came after giving a speech in Colorado Springs in 1882. Sometimes, friendly Ute tribes would camp on the grounds. They would stay there before going to the Garden of the Gods, which was a holy place for them.
The Fire and Rebuilding
One cold winter night in 1886, a terrible fire broke out. Dr. Bell was away on a trip. Mrs. Bell woke up to find her bedroom full of smoke. Burning pieces of wood had escaped from a fireplace. She quickly woke her children and the servants. Cara bravely stayed in the burning house. With the help of the gardener Schneider, she saved a very important oil painting. It was called "Mount of the Holy Cross" by the artist Thomas Moran. The family escaped safely, but they lost almost everything else. They went back to England for a short time.
In early 1887, the Bell family returned to Colorado. They decided to rebuild Briarhurst Manor. The new home was even grander and more detailed than the first. It included a schoolroom and a conservatory. There was also a cloister and a large library. The library even had a special alcove just for the "Mount of the Holy Cross" painting.
Briarhurst Manor Today
Today, about 5 acres of the original Briarhurst estate are still used. It is now a popular restaurant and a place for special events. The restaurant can seat over 400 guests. It serves delicious food that features Colorado ingredients.
About 2 acres of the old estate are used for other buildings. This includes a large warehouse. There is also the Blue Skies Inn Bed and Breakfast. This inn uses the original 1873 carriage house and four other buildings. Many weddings and parties are held in the beautiful Briarhurst gardens. These gardens were first created over a hundred years ago by Dr. Bell's gardener, Ferdinand Schneider.
