These monuments honor events that took place in the late 1800s but aren’t always as recognized as other historical happenings. Where are these monuments, and what do they commemorate? Send answers to ColoradoSunday ColoradoSunday@denverpost.com. Include a digital photo of yourself and your full address in the message. Our favorite correct answer will be rewarded with a $50 gas card.
How’d you know?
Last week: The hot springs fountain in Pagosa Springs
The winner: Jule Monnens, Centennial
I believe the beehive is the “Mother Spring,” where the Pagosa Aquifer bubbles up to the surface. The Mother Spring sits along the San Juan River and behind the Springs Resort. In addition to providing water for resort pools, the hot water heats domestic water and circulates it through the buildings, heating them, along with the walkways and the pools’ handrails. The water is also pumped through various public and town structures, providing geothermal heat.
Under the streets: Gillian McCune, Denver
Having been to Iceland a few years ago I was amazed at how quickly the snow and ice were removed from the streets. A local informed me that the geothermal heat that causes geysers was harnessed and run underneath the streets and sidewalks. While talking to a local in Pagosa Springs, I found that the town also harnesses its geothermal heat from the hot springs and runs it under its streets. There is also a nice plaque near the mineral mound that explains how the hot water was sacred to the Indians of that area, and that it is supposed to be the deepest source in the world.
Hot history: Greg Schick, Pagosa Springs
The picture is of the hot mineral fountain at the Spring Motel in downtown Pagosa Springs. The fountain was built around 1964 and was initially a rock and cement fountain with a small moat around the bottom. The fountain has probably tripled in size due to the mineral buildup. The mineral water was piped from the large hot mineral spring behind the motel and from which Pagosa Springs is named.
