A Brief History of Steamboat Springs
From American Indian hunting grounds to early pioneers; from the Flying Norseman, Carl Howelsen to the newest of our 52 Olympians; from gold and silver mining to coal ore; Steamboat Springs offers a rich, colorful and inspiring past.
For hundreds of years prior to the first settlers' arrival in the valley, the Yampatika Utes found the area ideal for summer hunting. Trappers began to come to the valley in the early 1800s. They called the area The Big Bend because the Yampa River makes its turn toward the west at this point in the valley. The name Steamboat Springs is thought to have originated around this time when French trappers thought they heard the chugging sound of a steamboat's steam engine. The sound turned out to be a natural mineral spring. When the railroad came through in 1908, dynamite used to lay the track caused the chugging sound to cease permanently. A walking tour of the Steamboat Springs and several others is easy and accessible for today's visitors.
An 1868 U.S. treaty took away the land from the Native Americans and by 1880 the Utes were forced onto a reservation in Utah. In 1875 James Crawford became the first permanent settler to homestead with his family. In the summer of 1879, spurred by the actions of inept Indian Agent Nathan Meeker, the Meeker Massacre erupted southwest of Steamboat Springs. Crawford had befriended the Native Americans, so his homestead remained unscathed and is still standing today at the corner of 13th and Crawford streets. Other historic buildings line Lincoln Avenue downtown.
Ranching was the primary industry of the valley and in the late 1800s a mining boom was underway in the area of Hahns Peak. Only $4 million in gold was discovered, but the towns of Hahns Peak and Columbine, along with many mining ruins, still exist. Today, cow and sheep ranching, hay and wheat farming, and coal mining are county industries with tourism as the major economic factor in the area.
Skiing was part of the early settlers' lives because it was one of the only means to get around in the winter. Then in 1913 Carl Howelsen came to town and showed the townspeople that skiing could also be fun. The Flying Norseman, as he was called, built a jump and hurled himself, skis and all, more than 100 feet off the jump. Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs maintains the 30, 50-, 70-, and 90-meter jumps used by Steamboat's future Olympians as a training site. Howelsen also organized the first Winter Carnival in 1914 as a way of introducing competitive skiing and a celebration of winter. Eighty-two years later the event features ski races, ski jumping, chariot racing, street events, the shovel race, dog sled pull and the unique High School Marching Band on skis! Ending the week-long celebration is the ever popular night show with fireworks, synchronized skiing demonstrations and the famous Lighted Man.
In 1955, Jim Temple, son of a local ranching family, spearheaded the development of the ski area. Engineered and largely constructed by local rancher John Fetcher, the new hill was ready in 1961 with only a poma lift. Storm Mountain was officially opened in 1963 with a double chair lift and an A-frame cabin as a warming hut. The mountain's name was changed to Mt. Werner in 1964 when hometown Olympic skier Buddy Werner was killed in an avalanche. Today the ski area boasts 21 lifts, 128 trails and more than 2,935 acres of ski terrain.
The fascinating history of Steamboat Springs, Routt County and Northwest Colorado are well documented by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Bud Werner Memorial Library. The museum publishes a "Historical Walking Tour" brochure and sells many local history books in its gift shop. The museum itself is a fabulous look back in time to the way early settlers lived. There is also a fantastic section on the history of skiing in Steamboat Springs. The library houses an extensive Western heritage collection, back issues of the Steamboat Pilot and Steamboat Today newspapers, as well as historical books by local authors.
More Information:
Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association (970) 879-0880
Tread of Pioneers Museum (970) 879-2214
Bud Werner Memorial Library (970) 879-0240
