Glenwood Springs Colorado History and Recreation

Glenwood Springs Colorado, at an altitude of 5,761 ft was incorporated as a city in 1885. Built at the confluence of the Colorado River and Roaring Fork River. Glenwood became the center of commerce for this area.

Coal mining, ranching and farming along with coke production became mainstays of this area. Locally mined coal was heated in air tight ovens up to 2,000 degrees Celsius to remove impurities for the use in making iron and as a cleaner burning fuel than regular coal.

The railroad came through Glenwood Springs Colorado in 1887 and with it tourists and a way to transport coal, coke and supplies to and from the growing community.

Walter Devreux was quick to see the tourist potential of this area and started to develop the natural hot springs by diverting water from the Colorado River and built the current Hot Springs Pool in 1888 and bath house in 1890.

Later a Cave on the north side of the Colorado River was developed and a building built on top of the cave. People could sit on benches and breath the hot sulfurous vapors or get messages in these caves for medicinal purposes like treatment for Tuberculosis and other ailments.

The Hotel Colorado was completed in 1893 and gave wealthy travelers a place to stay in close proximity to the hot spring pool and vapor cave. This hotel became known as the "little White House of the West" after Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft had long stays here.

Fairy Caves were also opened to the public with a good road, electricity and a nice view of Glenwood Springs Colorado. This is a pretty network of caves and caverns that took much stair building for tourists to access.

Some of the more famous residents of Glenwood Springs original Linwood Cemetery are John Henry Holliday (Doc Holliday) who died here trying to get relief from Tuberculosis. Also Harvey Logan, (Kid Curry), train robber and a member of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid's Gang.

Glenwood Springs Colorado currently has a population of 8,600 and is still a tourist destination for many. The Hot Springs Pool is still one of my favorites for swimming and relaxing in all year round. The Vapor cave and Fairy Cave (now called Glenwood Caverns) all still operate to this day. Now you can take a gondola ride up Iron Mountain to the Glenwood Caverns which adds even more excitement and it is still very impressive. Hotel Colorado also is operating and has been restored.

Every type of outdoor activity is easily accessible from Glenwood Springs because of its great location. Fishing and rafting/kayaking are obvious favorites since there are two rivers right in town and all other mountain sports are a very short drive away.

There are six world class ski resorts within sixty miles of Glenwood, numerous mountain biking trails, hiking trails, hunting, etc.. Paved recreational trails follow the Colorado River as it flows through Glenwood Canyon for 16 miles and is a great bicycle ride. There is also easy access in several points for fishing and launching rafts and kayaks. There is also a paved path following the Roaring Fork through town that loops down and back.

All things considered, Glenwood is a great place to live or vacation.

Get a map here for directions and different area views.

For more information go to the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce.

Towns of Western Colorado

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