Now known as “Ski Town U.S.A.” due to the fact that our city has produced more winter Olympians than any other in North America (52 and counting!), Steamboat Springs has a very rich history.  From the Native Americans who first hunted the area, to the gold & silver mining booms, to the introduction of skiing leading to what is now a modern day resort town, Steamboat Springs has deep roots.

One of the first questions that many people ask when they arrive here is “How did Steamboat get its name?”  The answer to that has to do with the famous Steamboat Spring.  This bubbling mineral spring located in the heart of downtown once churned loudly and created a sound that the first French fur trappers mistook for that of a chugging steamboat steam engine.

Steamboat’s first permanent resident was James Crawford who brought his family here to live peacefully with the Yampatika Ute Indians.  A decade later, 5 other families joined the Crawfords and began creating a formal town plan.  Ranching was the primary industry in those days but a mining boom in the Hahn’s Peak area of what is now North Routt County attracted an influx of new residents.

In 1913, Carl Howelsenmoved to Steamboat and introduced residents to the art of ski jumping.  A permanent ski jump was erected on what is now the Howelsen Hill Ski Area, the longest continually operated ski hill in North America.  Mr. Howelsen also founded the tradition of ‘Winter Carnival’ which still takes place today and features the Steamboat Springs High School Band marching on skis down Lincoln Avenue.  The Winter Carnival also includes an appearance by the famous “Lighted Man” who skis down Howelsen Hill at night with fireworks that shoot from his back!

Ranching remained as the primary industry of the region which included cattle & sheep herding, wheat and hay production and the export of locally grown strawberries out of what is now the neighborhood of Strawberry Park.  A shift in focus more towards skiing began in the 1950’s and the Steamboat Ski Area officially opened in 1963.  With lift service and numerous cleared ski trails, Steamboat began to attract visitors and tourism which helped evolve the local economy.

Today’s Steamboat Springs still holds its history very close at hand.  Organizations like the Yampa Valley Community Foundation and Tread of Pioneers Museum help record our history and where we’ve been so we can better cherish how special this town really is.  With a simple walk down Lincoln Avenue and around downtown Steamboat Springs you’ll quickly notice the historical buildings that stand to remind us of our western heritage and storied past.