Government - Civic Plaza

The creation of Steamboat Springs is both interesting and purposeful. The area was largely undeveloped until the arrival of James H. Crawford in 1874 from Missouri. The Crawfords built their first cabin in 1876, and became the first year-round permanent settlers, remaining so for the next five years. Although considered year-round residents to the valley, the family continued to make frequent and lengthy trips to Boulder during the winter months. 

Crawford connected with Boulder businessmen and sold the idea of starting a town in the wilds of Northwest Colorado. The resources and opportunity were readily available; it was an easy sell. Five men joined Crawford in starting the Steamboat Springs Town Company. 

Incorporated in January 1884, the Steamboat Springs Town Company’s primary purpose was to encourage growth. Luckily, prior to 1884, four of the company members each filed 160-acre plots, then combined it to create 800 acres of land to be surveyed, platted, developed and sold as town lots. The land office was located near 11st Street. 

Since members of the Steamboat Springs Town Company were from Boulder, it is important to note the influence, standing and role Cheney, Macky, and Maxwell held in the City of Boulder at this time. Their influence is evident in the layout of Steamboat Springs. Maxwell, for instance, served as Boulder City Engineer as well as County Treasurer. 

As a result, the basic downtown of Steamboat Springs (Pine Street to the Yampa River and from 1^st Street to 12^th Street) is the same dimension and shape as Boulder. The layout, with a center main street, and two side streets divided with alleys mimic Boulder, as do the lot, block, and street sizes (with the exception of Lincoln Avenue, built 20 feet wide to accommodate cattle drives). 

The Company encouraged growth by luring essential businesses to the area. A newspaper would not only provide validity to the new town, but it would also provide a media outlet to advertise. James Hoyle was provided a newspaper printing press (from Boulder) as well as free land to open the Steamboat Pilot. Similar incentives were provided for Horace Suttle to open a lumber company, and later a brick factory and flour mill.  The Company also owned and operated the Bath House and charge patrons an entry fee. 

The desire to electrify the town is what prompted incorporation. So, on July 17, 1900, a vote was passed (with 72 votes cast, 68 in favor) for incorporation. The next election, held on August 21, 1900 created a slate of officers. Crawford, who was elected town mayor for two terms, and six trustees set in motion the creation of today’s municipality including establishing electricity, telephone, sewer and water services. Emergency services and a sheriff were provided with the passage of a 5% mil levy tax. 

In the ensuing years the town municipality continued under the Mayor/Trustee set up. City business was held in the Steamboat Springs Town Company office at 11^th and Lincoln. 

The Steamboat Springs Town Company was sold and renamed the Steamboat Springs Town & Quarry Company, with F.E. Milner and Floyd Frazer as owners. Crawford continued to serve as manager. The operations and goals were similar to the original company, with the addition of the Emerald Mountain Quarry, which sold stone for foundations and major buildings downtown. 

In 1908, the company provided land for a railroad easement, helped raise funds for a depot, erected the Cabin Hotel, the largest hotel in Northwest Colorado, and expanded the swimming pool.

Eventually, the Steamboat Springs Town & Quarry Company liquidated and ended business in 1916. An auction sold off the remaining lots. When A.J. Macky, an original Town Company member, passed away in 1909, he bequeathed 520 shares, 1/3 of the company, to regents of the University of Colorado at Boulder, making the university the company’s majority shareholder. 

After liquidation, the regents transferred the shares to the University in order to avoid paying property tax. The Routt County Commissioners, concerned over the potential loss of tax revenue, rejected the university’s claim. Additional pressure from the Steamboat Pilot editor, Charles Leckenby, resulted in the eventual deeding/return of the stock back to the original Town Company in 1930.

From about 1930 until 1934, the University of Colorado was then, unintentionally, owners of the town of Steamboat Springs. Immediately, the Town Company was purchased by Chicago businessman H.W. Gossard, who made many improvements. For instance, cobblestone pillars were added to the entries at the rodeo grounds, bath house, and Lithia Spring, and a mile of roses were planted down Lincoln Avenue, starting a city beautification campaign. 

While intentions were to market the town as a spa resort destination, Gossard largely came up flat due, in part, to the Great Depression, and a land deed liquor clause imposed by Crawford and the Company around 1890. 

As a result, the land (rodeo grounds, Howelsen Hill ski area, springs) was reverted back to the municipality of Steamboat Springs in 1935 by Gossard. The town sells the bath house/pool to the newly formed non-profit Steamboat Springs Health & Recreation Association. Clever work and a quick claim deed by Company president Claude Luekens and attorney Addison Gooding in 1939 finally remove the liquor clause and permanently end the establishment of the Town Company.