Vignettes

Postcard from the Highway of Legends
The Spanish Peaks dominate the remarkable Purgatory Springs Scenery, as depicted in this nostalgic postcard.

Restorative Waters and Mountain Air
Rocky Mountain Utopia Situated at the mouth of Nunda Canyon in southern Colorado, Purgatory Springs

The “White Death” Made Colorado the World’s Sanatorium
The Fresh Air Cure Just over a century ago, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death

Danna’s Lighthouse Supperclub
Joe Danna’s “infamous” Lighthouse Supperclub enticed hundreds of nightly visitors up Purgatory Springs Mesa. The

Every Racket Needs a Player
Ending up on the wrong side of the law sometimes boils down to luck. No

The Dazzling Showgirls of the Lighthouse Supperclub
By day, former Ziegfeld Follies dancers lounged in the Purgatory Hot Springs Pool. By night,

Days of Leisure
The “Whip” was a favorite ride for family adventurers and snuggling couples. The more aggressive-inclined

Freak Out: Carnival Atmosphere at the Purgatory Springs Arcades
Known as the “Coney Island of the Rockies,” entertainment was always easy to find in