Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Pagosa Springs

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 26, 2006

1. Pagosa Springs Marker

Inscription. Pagosa Springs has a rich history, beginning with the Anasazi Indians. Later the Utes, Navajos and Apaches inhabited this beautiful corner of the Southwest. They also visited the great “Pagosah” hot springs which they believed had curative powers. In time, the military established a post here to protect settlers from Indian hostilities. Archuleta County was established in 1885, and the town of Pagosa Springs was incorporated in 1891. The Pagosa & Northern Railroad steamed into town in October 1900. Over the years, the economy of the town and county was maintained through ranching, logging and lumber, and persons seeking relief for their ailments at the hot springs. In the 1970s developers discovered this area. About the same time, the local skiing and tourism industries boomed. To learn more about the history of Pagosa Springs and its surroundings, visit the San Juan Historical Society Museum, located at the corner of First Street and U.S. Highway 160. The museum is open during the summer months.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce

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• Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1900.

Location. 37° 15.88′ N, 107° 0.631′ W. Marker is in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in Archuleta County. It can be reached from Hot Springs Blvd. The marker is located on the pumphouse next to the hot springs. The hot springs can be found between the The Springs Resort and Spa and the Pagosa Springs Post office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs CO 81147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Continental Divide.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hatcher Hardware (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Metropolitan Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Liberty Theatre (approx.

The Great Pagosa Hot Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 26, 2006

2. The Great Pagosa Hot Springs

0.2 miles away); Goodman Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Pagosa Springs (approx. 5.8 miles away); Chimney Rock (approx. 5.8 miles away); The Old Spanish Trail (approx. 5.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Pagosa Springs and Four Corners History and Culture. (Submitted on February 14, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

San Juan River and Downtown Pagosa Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 26, 2006

3. San Juan River and Downtown Pagosa Springs

San Juan River and The Springs Resort and Spa. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 25, 2006

4. San Juan River and The Springs Resort and Spa.

The 145 degree hot water is pumped from the springs and piped to various hot tubs at the resort with various temperature levels.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,434 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.