The Colorado Landmark That Gave Steamboat Springs Its Name

On the Western Slope, we know Steamboat Springs as one of the state’s premier ski destinations, but its name has visitors expecting steamboats to be floating up and down the Yampa River.

Instead, the name has nothing to do with boats. The story goes back over 200 years to a mineral spring along the Yampa River, which fooled early fur trappers into thinking a steam-powered paddlewheel was somewhere nearby.

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The Sound That Started It All In Steamboat Springs

How Colorado's Steamboat Springs Got Its Unusual Name — Google Street

By 1810, steam-powered boats and paddlewheels were known to Americans in cities such as New York and Philadelphia. By the time fur trappers made it to Steamboat Springs in the early 1800s, the repetitive “chugging” sound coming from near the Yampa River had them fooled into thinking there was a steam-powered paddlewheel nearby.

Instead, they discovered a mineral spring where carbon dioxide escaped through the water, creating the familiar sound. The landmark soon became known as the “Steamboat Spring,” and eventually the entire valley took on the name.

Why the Original Steamboat Sound Disappeared

Over time, the famous “chugging” sound disappeared. Some say the spring’s underground plumbing changed over time, while others point to the construction of the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railway (later the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad). Legend says that the steamboat-like noise disappeared right around the time of the railway’s arrival in 1909. History buffs explain that as the railroad tracks were laid, crews blasted their way through the same rocks that were creating the sound. Today, visitors can still see how close the tracks get to the original spring.

Where You Can Find the Original Steamboat Spring Today

The site of the original Steamboat Spring sits behind the Bud Werner Memorial Library at 1289 Lincoln Avenue. Visitors will find markers that explain the story of Steamboat Spring, along with a couple of signs that show you where it all began. It’s one of Colorado’s most recognizable place names, and it’s hard to miss if you are exploring the city’s riverfront area.

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Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

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Have you ever lived in a town that decided to change its name? Several places in Colorado have been renamed over the years. Keep reading to see if you know the original names of these popular places in the Centennial State.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams