Steamboat Springs Colorado History

The history of Steamboat Springs goes back to ancient Native American lore. The stories state that the Ute tribal leader "cursed" the Yampa Valley, saying people who come to the area won't be able to leave. Perhaps the region's unparalleled beauty is what really keeps people coming back for more.

The Yampa Valley was home to the nomadic Ute and Arapahoe Indians before white settlers began to arrive. They used Steamboat Springs as a summer base for hunting and fishing. In addition, the springs provided medicinal relief and cures for the people, while the mountain valleys provided plenty of vegetation for food. According to Ute legend, when the Great Spirit got tired of heaven, he crafted the mountains to serve as stepping stones to the earthly pleasures below.

James Harvey Crawford was Steamboat Springs' first white settler. He brought his family to the valley in 1875. His wife Margaret B. Crawford is credited for bringing grace, kindness, and culture to the area, solidifying the atmosphere that Steamboat still exudes today.

The settlement was named Steamboat Springs after a peculiar spring found in the area. Legend has it that when French trappers and prospectors were moving through the area they heard a strange noise. They exclaimed, "Steamboat, by Gar!" thinking the noise was made by a steamboat. It turned out to be a spring instead.