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History of Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Glenwood has a long, interesting history. Its unique location at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River as well gaining a stop on the railroad historically made it a center of commerce in the area. The city has seen numerous famous visitors including President Teddy Roosevelt who spent an entire summer vacation living out of the historic Hotel Colorado. Doc Holliday, a wild west legend from the O.K. Coral gunfight, spent the final months of his life in Glenwood Springs and is buried in the town's original cemetery above Bennett Avenue.

1879

James Landis was the first person to settle in Glenwood Springs and first owner of the hot springs property.

 

1901

February 16.  Vice President Theodore Roosevelt visits Glenwood Springs following a hunting trip.  He enjoys the vapor caves and attends a dinner party at the Hotel Glenwood before departing on the Colorado Midland Train for Colorado Springs.

 

1905

April 15.  President Theodore Roosevelt Bear hunt began on Divide Creek.  The Hotel Colorado became the “Little White House of the West”.

 

1910

March 31.  The first mass shipment of automobiles was delivered in Glenwood Springs.  Seven identical Fords were sold to members of the Glenwood Motor Club.

 

1917

January 5.  William “Buffalo Bill” Cody visited his friend Dr. William Crook of Glenwood Springs just 5 days before Cody’s death in Denver.

 

1919

August 16.  First airplanes land in Glenwood Springs.

 

1945

December .  The Hotel Glenwood at 8th and Grand burned to the ground.

 

1948

September 21.  President Harry Truman’s train stops in Glenwood Springs on a campaign tour.

 

1955

A monument to “Doc” Holliday was erected in Linwood Cemetery by the City of Glenwood Springs.

 

1999

The Glenwood caverns and Historic Fairy Caves opened to the public for tours.