Boulder in Jefferson County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Boulder Hot Springs

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

1. Boulder Hot Springs Marker

Inscription. For centuries Native Americans have been coming to these pure, flowing hot water springs for rest and healing. Legend tells that they called this area Peace Valley. They agreed to lay down their weapons when they sojourned here, believing that the land and the waters were for everyone to share and could not be owned. In the 1860s, prospector James Riley chanced upon the springs and filed a land and water rights claim. In 1864, he built a crude bathhouse and tavern. When Riley succumbed to smallpox in 1882, new owners built a small, more fashionable hotel. In 1891, it was remodeled and enlarged in the Queen Anne style and boasted fifty-two rooms, electricity, facilities for invalids, a resident physician, gymnasium, and various entertainments. Between 1910 and 1913, the present bathhouse, east wing and an addition at the west were built. The older building was also remodeled with raised parapets and a covering of stucco, creating a grand hotel in the present California Mission style. Opulent interior appointments included Tiffany glass lighting, beamed ceilings, and hand-stenciled walls in the Arts and Crafts tradition.

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Under various names and owners, Boulder Hot Springs has catered to a widely varying clientele. Architecturally significant as vintage Queen Anne remodeled to a newer style, Boulder Hot Springs is the last vestige of the many large-scale hot spring retreats that provided respite and recreation to early Montanans.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 46° 11.988′ N, 112° 5.698′ W. Marker is in Boulder, Montana, in Jefferson County. It is on Hot Springs Road near State Highway 69, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Hot Springs Road, Boulder MT 59632, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country and in Greater Helena.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in

Boulder Hot Springs and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

2. Boulder Hot Springs and Marker

North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Boulder Hot Springs (a few steps from this marker); The Boulder River Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Montana State School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Jefferson County Courthouse (approx. 2.8 miles away); Elkhorn (approx. 8.8 miles away); Fraternity Hall (approx. 8.8 miles away); Mining Country (approx. 8.9 miles away); Jib Mill (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boulder.

Boulder Hot Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

3. Boulder Hot Springs

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

4. Boulder Hot Springs Marker

Photographed by Boulder Hot Springs

5. Boulder Hot Springs

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 19, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.