COLOR COLORADO SPRINGS. VOLORADO SPRINGS' history may be said to date from 1871, when the town site passed into the hands of the "Colorado Springs Company," and the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in October of that year, formed a permanent basis for a future prosperous city. The "Colorado Springs Company" was then and is now, managed by conservative, high-toned gentlemen, a provision being inserted in every deed forever prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors upon the property thus conveyed under penalty of forfeiture to original owners. The provision has had the effect of building up a moral and Christian community, unexcelled in staid old New England. The primary object of fixing this location, for a populous center, was its proximity to the famous Springs at Manitou, and the unequalled natural advantages here enjoyed for building a large city, the lay of the ground being nearly level, except that it has a gradual inclination to the South sufficient for surface and sewerage draining. The city was laid out with large squares, wide streets and avenues, two handsome parks, each two blocks from the center of the city to the North and South. The streets and parks were, in the earliest days of the city, planted with nice shade trees and handsome lawns, the wisdom of which action by the promoters of this beautiful city, is now apparent in the handsome rows of large trees along either side of all streets and avenues throughout the city; and in well kept lawns of the parks. The city presents the appearance of a beautiful park with its handsome lawns and flower gardens, well kept streets and trickling streams, that flow on either side of all streets at the base of the shade trees, giving them life and adding beauty to the already beautiful scene. Colorado Springs might well be called the city of the gods owing to its proximity to the Garden of the Gods, and being planted at the foot of that Monarch of the Rockies, Pikes Peak; which pierces the heavens with an altitude of nearly three miles, encouraging by its noble proportions the highor asperations of man, and at night standing sentinel over this beautiful city Within a radius of five miles more natural grandeur and beautiful scenery can be reached than from any other spot on earth. Their praises have been sung by poets, and their beauties portrayed by artists, since Colorado has been known. A partial list will suffice to give our readers a fair idea of the many attractions possessed by this sacred city, and we hope, create a longing for a nearer acquaintance with this health giving and pleasure satisfying spot, which nature has so lavishly endowed. Garden of the Gods, Manitou, Glen Eyrie, Austin's Bluffs, Cheyenne Canon, Grand Caverns, Williams Canon, Ute Pass, and Rainbow Falls. Colorado Springs, as a material city, presents attractions that few spots in the West enjoy. It is a city of about 12,000 inhabitants admirably situated to become a great commercial mart. It is 75 miles South of Denver and is the key to the beautiful Ute Pass, which has lately been converted into a great commercial highway, by that enterprising railroad, named the Colorado Midland, which throughout its course through the Mountains to Leadville, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and New Castle, affords its patrons an ever changing and magnificent panorama of mountain scenery not surpassed on the American continent, Colorado Springs has many elegant residences, with well kept lawns, profuse with flowers, shrubs, etc., while it is well supplied with large stores and stocks of merchandise of metropolitan dimensions and assortments. Throughout the city the finest natural drives of America are encountered, and it is a delight to ride about this beautiful city at all seasons of the year. The climate resembles that of Denver, except that in summer it is a trifle cooler, and in winter a trifle warmer, owing to its proximity to the mountains. The city is equipped with a Street Car system, electric lights, and other modern and metropolitan improvements. Colorado Springs is well supplied with Hotels and first-class Restaurants, all run at moderate rates, considering the superior accomodations. ALAMO HOTEL. THIS HIS hotel is one of the best kept hostelries in Colorado Springs, complete in all its apportionments, lately enlarged and refitted, containing the modern improvements The proprietor, J. M. Sellers, is accounted one of the most genial of hosts, accomplished and courteous; his terms are moderate, considering the accommodations afforded, $2 to $3 per day. The table is constantly provided with the best the markets afford, drawing largely upon Denver, the greatest market west of Chicago. A well equipped livery is run in connection with this house, where as fine teams can be obtained as may be found in the best eastern stables. This branch of Mr. Seller's business is run upon a business basis, rates reasonable. Tourists or health seekers will do well to investigate the advantages offered at the Alamo when contemplating a visit to Colorado. Its location is central, opposite the United States Postoffice and adjoining Alamo Park, a well kept and beautiful square, with large shade trees and a fine lawn. Scattered throughout in convenient spots, the weary pedestrian finds easy chairs and benches, such as parks are usually equipped with, a fountain in the center and streams of water flowing through from every direction. The recent addition to the hotel has made quite an improvement in the general appearance of the house and gives the proprietor over 100 additional rooms. WEST WEST COLORADO SPRINGS. EST COLORADO SPRINGS joins Colorado Springs, only a street between. It lies on both sides of Colorado Avenue, the only direct drive from Colorado Springs to Manitou. This avenue for about one mile passes through this beautiful tract of land. The lots are laid out 50 feet by 150 feet, and each half block is inclosed by a wire fence. Streets are being graded, city water pipes are connected with each half block, affording a supply of the purest water, and streams of water from an independent ditch course their way along each side of all streets, as in Colorado Springs proper. Street cars run through this suburban city from Colorado Springs to Colorado City; cars running every fifteen minutes. It is believed that it will be only a short time until electric or cable cars will supercede the horse cars, and the line extended to Manitou. The improvements in West Colorado Springs consist in, besides electric lights, city water works and graded streets, a beautiful row of large trees which extend the whole length of Colorado Avenue, and hundreds of fine residences either completed or under construction. Present appearances indicate that this will be the most popular residence portion of Colorado Springs. It lies beautifully, overlooking the valley of Fountain Creek, the City of Colorado Springs, and Colorado City. It just touches the edge of either, extends north of the avenue about one half mile, terminating at some point high up on the mesa, and affords an excellent opportunity for pleasing the most fastidious tastes for choice building sites. This property was platted and placed on the market in February, 1888, by A. L. Lawson and associates, and the property has since been changing hands very rapidly. Improvements during the past few months have been surprising, even to the initiated. Handsome homes have been erected, trees planted, lawns cultivated, making the entire tract more attractive than many parks we we have seen. Mr. A. L. Lawton, the prime mover in these West Side improvements, was born in Lowell, Dodge County, Wisconsin, in the year 1848; resided in that county until he was 17 years of age; afterwards lived in Oak Grove and Milwaukee; educated at Waland University, at Beaver Dam and Lawrence University, in Appleton; moved to Burlington, Wisconsin, and engaged in woolen manufacturing; continued in the same until his health became so impaired that he moved to Colorado, where his health has been entirely recovered. He came to Colorado Springs in 1874, and has engaged in real estate and insurance business ever since; he has made some of the largest real estate transactions in El Paso County, and it might be said, has been prominently |