Steamboat Springs, Nevada

Behold! A Steamboat in the desert!

Mark Twain, 1861

Geothermal activity created hot springs, steam vents and fumaroles on the eastern slope of the Sierra Mountains.

Native Americans considered the location a sacred place. As miners and settlers headed west during the gold rush in 1849 they found the springs a welcome place to rest and get water. In 1859 a structure was constructed with two rooms, a bathing room and a steam room.

From one spring the boiling water is ejected a foot or more by the infernal force at work below, and in the vicinity of all of them one can hear a constant rumbling and surging, somewhat resembling the noises peculiar to a steamboat in motion – hence the name

Mark Twain, August 1863

Development was expanded in 1860 by Felix Monet, a French immigrant. Soon after a British physician, Dr. James Ellis, erected a hospital, cottages and drugstore.

Many of the original buildings were destroyed by fire in 1867. The town was rebuilt in 1870 and was popular with silver miners, tourists and those seeking medical cures.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad connected Steamboat Springs to Reno in 1871. Steamboat Springs became an important transfer point for passengers and freight headed to Virginia City and the Comstock Load.

In 1900 an earthquake caused a geyser and the hot springs ran dry. The following year on April 21st a wildfire destroyed the hotel and other structures.

In 1925, Dr. Edna Jackson Carver purchased the land and drilled a new well for her hospital and in 1937 and built the Pioneer State Health Hotel. Steamboat Springs became a training and rehabilitation for boxers and horses. The famous race horse Man ‘o War was rehabilitated using mud and hot springs and returned to racing to win the Kentucky Derby.

Visitors still travel to Steamboat Springs to enjoy the water. The Healing Center and Spa offers soaking and additional spa services.

Visited 6-28-2020

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References

• Basso, Dave. Nevada Historical Marker Guidebook. Nevada Publications, 1986. Page 198.
• Healthy Beginnings: A Steamboat in the Desert
• Only in Your State: Few People Realize There’s An Active Volcanic Field Right Here In Nevada
• Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 41.
• Paul Revere Williams: American Architect: Steamboat Hot Springs Nevada Rehabilitation Center
• Steamboat Springs
• University of Nevada Libraries: Steamboat Springs
• Virginia & Truckee: #20 Tahoe
• Wikipedia: Steamboat Springs (Nevada)

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