Page in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Spencer Steamboat

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

1. Spencer Steamboat Marker

Inscription.
Steamboat Charles H. Spencer built for transporting coal from Warm Creek Canyon
Launched 1912
Hauled in pieces from San Francisco and constructed at Warm Creek mine

Unaware of the difficulties in navigating the Colorado River, Spencer's investors thought a boat would serve better than a mule train for carrying coal. The boat proved too unwieldy, plus it burned all the coal it could haul. It was abandoned ashore after only a few runs.

Designed for the placid Sacramento River, it was no match for the Colorado.

Erected by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 36° 51.947′ N, 111° 34.824′ W. Marker is in Page, Arizona, in Coconino County. It can be reached from Spencer Trail. Marker located along the Historic District River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Spencer Trail, Marble Canyon AZ 86036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country,

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the Navajo Nation,

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

on the Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spencer Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee's Backbone (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Intake (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lees Ferry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spencer Boiler (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mining the Chinle Shale 1910-11 (approx. 0.2 miles away); USGS Guesthouse/Spencer Bunkhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Upper Ferry Site (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Page.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Charles H. Spencer “Paddlewheel” Steamboat (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

2. Spencer Steamboat Marker

Spencer Steamboat Boiler image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

3. Spencer Steamboat Boiler

Last remaining piece of the Spencer Steamboat.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.