The History of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The evidence of habitation in the Yampa River Valley goes back more than 10,000 years when prehistoric people lived and hunted in this region. However, in more modern times, it is generally agreed that the oldest residence are the Ute Indians whose territory once extended from the north of New Mexico to the Green River in Wyoming. They hunted and gathered food in small groups and the groups that lived in the Yampa Valley were referred to as the "Yamparika" Utes. They were named after the Yampa plant which was part of their regular diet and is akin to a carrot. The many hot springs in the area are still regarded as sacred by the Ute Indians.
In the late 1770s, two Spanish priests Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante explored the northwestern areas of Colorado and established camp on the White River about 60 miles from Steamboat Springs. At about the same time, fur trappers from England and France began to make their forays into the Yampa River Valley. This was followed by a series of expeditions in the first half of the 19th century notably the one led by Sir George Gore who established a wagon trail over Gore Pass and reached the fringes of the Steamboat Springs area.
After gold had been discovered in the region of Denver and the mountains to the west, gold hunters discovered gold at Hahns Peak, which is north of Steamboat Springs, and this led to the establishment of the first settlement in 1866. However, the remoteness of the location and the lack of convenient transportation links meant that this did not translate into a gold rush. Once the Ute War ended in 1881 of all the Ute people were relocated to Utah, settlers became more willing to move and establish a city in Steamboat Springs. The place began to take on the look of a prosperous rural community. In 1877, Routt County was established but because of squabbles between different cities, it was not till 1912 that Steamboat Springs became the County seat.
In the beginning, the city was able to attract visitors during the summer but deep snows impeded the development of winter sports. In 1912, the Norwegian named Carl Howelsen settled in the city and because of his perception of skiing as a sport started showing people how much fun ski jumping and cross-country skiing could be. Pretty soon, organized ski instruction was established and the city became a magnet for skiing vacations. By 1947 the Associated Press had dubbed Steamboat Springs "Ski Town, USA". Since then, Steamboat Springs has emerged as a major holiday destination all around the year.
In the late 1770s, two Spanish priests Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante explored the northwestern areas of Colorado and established camp on the White River about 60 miles from Steamboat Springs. At about the same time, fur trappers from England and France began to make their forays into the Yampa River Valley. This was followed by a series of expeditions in the first half of the 19th century notably the one led by Sir George Gore who established a wagon trail over Gore Pass and reached the fringes of the Steamboat Springs area.
After gold had been discovered in the region of Denver and the mountains to the west, gold hunters discovered gold at Hahns Peak, which is north of Steamboat Springs, and this led to the establishment of the first settlement in 1866. However, the remoteness of the location and the lack of convenient transportation links meant that this did not translate into a gold rush. Once the Ute War ended in 1881 of all the Ute people were relocated to Utah, settlers became more willing to move and establish a city in Steamboat Springs. The place began to take on the look of a prosperous rural community. In 1877, Routt County was established but because of squabbles between different cities, it was not till 1912 that Steamboat Springs became the County seat.
In the beginning, the city was able to attract visitors during the summer but deep snows impeded the development of winter sports. In 1912, the Norwegian named Carl Howelsen settled in the city and because of his perception of skiing as a sport started showing people how much fun ski jumping and cross-country skiing could be. Pretty soon, organized ski instruction was established and the city became a magnet for skiing vacations. By 1947 the Associated Press had dubbed Steamboat Springs "Ski Town, USA". Since then, Steamboat Springs has emerged as a major holiday destination all around the year.
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