In 1860, Captain Richard Sopris was the first white man to experience the hot springs in what later would be called Glenwood Springs. It wasn’t long before the valley, punctuated with more than 50 hot springs , became a favorite spot for many weary miners, as well as entrepreneurs dreaming of world-class resorts and big profits. Walter Devereaux, along with his two brothers, set out to build the world’s largest hot springs pool. The Hot Springs Pool was completed in lavish Victorian style in 1888. Soon after, the elegant Hotel Colorado opened its doors in 1893. Dubbed “Spa In the Rockies”, Glenwood Springs attracted the rich and famous of the day. The prestigious guest list included President Theodore Roosevelt, Baby Doe Tabor, President William Taft, the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, and gangster Al Capone. One of Glenwood Springs’ most infamous citizens appeared on the scene around this same time. Doc Holliday, gunman-gambler-dentist, headed west after the famous shootout at the OK Corral, where he hoped that soaking in the hot springs would cure his advanced tuberculosis. But the mineral-rich waters could not dissipate the ravages of the disease. Doc Holliday died at the Glenwood Hotel in November 1887. His gravesite in Glenwood Springs remains a popular attraction today.
During World War II, from 1943 to 1946, the resort was used to serve as a U.S. Navel Convalescent Hospital. The pool was used as a therapeutic tool in rehabilitating emotionally and physically disabled sailors and Marines. This was the only time in it's history that the pool was closed to the public.
No comments:
Post a Comment