Miramont Castle

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]

Miramont
Miramont, also known as Miramont Castle and Montcalm Castle
Location9 Capitol Hill, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°51′33″N 104°55′19″W
WebsiteMiramont Castle
NRHP reference No.77000375
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1977[1]
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

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. Best of Colorado. Big Earth Publishing. September 1, 2002. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-56579-429-0. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  7. "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. 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.
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