The hot springs in Glenwood Springs is the marquee attraction. The largest natural hot springs pool in the world exists beside the highway. I was unaware that the natural springs was closed to the public during WWII and served as a naval hospital. I learned this when I found a Postcard from WWII (which I have also uploaded) designating the hot springs as such. Below is an official press release:
2008-09, Glenwood Springs, CO,
While the Glenwood Hot Springs officially celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2008, the history of the hot springs actually dates back thousands and thousands of years. Ancient rain and melted snow, superheated deep within the earth, bubbled up through layers of sandstone emerging in underground caves and hot pools that dot the Colorado River. The Ute Indians were the first to discover these mineral-rich waters calling them "Yampah" meaning "Big Medicine."
In the 1800's, the town of Glenwood Springs was evolving. Intrepid explorer Captain Richard Sopris was the first white man to lay claim to Yampah Hot Springs. Walter Devereux and his two brothers purchased the springs and 10 acres of land in 1886 with grand plans to build the largest hot springs pool in the world. Completed 120 years ago, known as the Natatorium, was 615 feet long and 75 feet wide with a large fountain at the deep end. The red sandstone bath house and lodge were designed by Theodore von Rosenberg, an architect from Vienna, Austria. The building was completed in 1890 at a cost of $100,000 and and housed tubs, Roman vapor baths, 44 bath rooms with dressing and lounging rooms, a ladies' parlor, physicians office, gymnasium for “Swedish movements,” plus smoking and reading rooms. In 1891, construction began on the Hotel Colorado, modeled after the Villa de Medici in Italy, taking two years to complete at a cost of more than $850,000. Glenwood Springs became a world-renowned resort destination, playing host to presidents, U.S. senators, movie stars and European dignitaries.
The Glenwood Hot Springs has endured many changes over the years. During World War II, from 1943 to 1946, the Hotel Colorado and bath house served as a U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital, used as a rehabilitation facility for sailors and marines, and was closed to the public. After the war, the bath house was converted to a private hospital, the Glenwood Clinic, until 1950. It was then converted to a hotel called The Hot Springs Lodge.
In 1956, a group of 22 area businessmen purchased the Hot Springs Lodge and Pool. In 1960, the pools were renovated and a filtration system was installed. In the 1970's, a new master plan was implemented, involving several physical improvements to the complex including a new main bath house with expanded locker facilities, a water slide, sport shop, restaurant-lounge, and athletic club. A new children’s wading pool was added along with a miniature golf course adjacent to the pool. Two new water slide rides were introduced in 2000.
In 1986, the resort built a new hotel, the 107-room Hot Springs Lodge. An older motel unit, next to the old red sandstone lodge, was torn down and replaced with landscaping. West of the Grand Avenue bridge, another motel unit was torn down, and replaced with additional parking. In 1993, major renovations were made to the original stone bath house, including expansion of the athletic club, meeting rooms, administrative offices, and snack bar.
In 2008, the facilities underwent another massive overhaul. The brand-new Spa of the Rockies, located in the historic bath house, was completed in the fall of 2008. Cosmetic refurbishments to the Athletic Club and the Hot Springs Lodge also took place. Perhaps most significantly, the Hot Springs Lodge & Pool, the umbrella name for all of the facilities, was changed to the more all-encompassing Glenwood Hot Springs.
The Glenwood Hot Springs continues to grow, renovate, remodel, and improve its facilities making it one of the top attractions in
Colorado. (
visit link)
In addition, a plaque on the former location of the Rex Hotel (N39° 32.859, W107° 19.354) reads:
REX HOTEL
This site - Lot 9 Block 45 - housed what in later years would be known as the Rex Hotel. Glenwood Springs founder Isaac Cooper first owned the property, but between 1887 to 1892, ownership changed hands several times. During this time, several small wood-framed buildings were constructed on the back of the lot. On the front, a one-and-one-half story saloon and lodging house was built.
Jacob Strassheim purchased the property in 1893. He constructed a two-and-one-half-story brick veneered building on this site. Strassheim offered rooms for rent on the second floor and operated a saloon on the street level. However, Strassheim's financial problems forced the property into foreclosure. In 1900, the building and property were sold to wholesale liquor dealer James Sheridan.
Sheridan leased the building to Bart Petrini who operated the Roma Saloon here. When Colorado enacted statewide prohibition in 1916, Petrini's saloon closed. Sheridan then leased the building to T.J. Silvy who then opened the Arcade Hotel.
Battista and Julia Anselmi purchased the property from James Sheridan in 1920 and established the Rex Hotel. He and his wife managed the hotel until his death in 1943. Once again, the hotel was sold, this time to Julius and Amelia Zanella. Their clientele during World War II included wives visiting their husbands who were stationed as the U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital located in the Hotel Colorado.
Toni Peabody purchased the Rex Hotel in 1979. Her 20 rooms filled the community's need for low-income housing.
In 1991, the Rex Hotel was sold to Hotel Denver owners Steve and April Carver. The Rex Hotel was demolished in 2000. The current structure was constructed to mirror the architectural style of the Hotel Denver's facade.