Pagosa Springs, Colorado
June 28, 2023
(photos and memories from July 2, 2005, and June 20, 2008)
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Welcome to the great Pagosa Hot Springs of southwestern Colorado!
Situated along southern Colorado’s San Juan River, Pagosa Springs takes its name from a Ute Indian word meaning “water that boils.” Some say that ‘Pagosa’ is best translated as “healing waters” since the Utes and white newcomers claim that the hot springs have medicinal properties.
The town of Pagosa Springs formed in the late 1880s around a medical practice begun by Dr. Mary Winter Fisher, who ventured west from Chicago to start a medical and healing practice here.
The hot springs themselves are a boiling pond about 30 feet in diameter near the banks of the San Juan River. Water is drained from the pond to feed some bathing areas at the privately-run Springs Resort and Spa.
Below: More views of the hot springs and the Springs private resort.
The downtown area of Pagosa Springs is located along the opposite side of the river from the hot springs and the private resort. Shops along Pagosa Street (main street) include many real estate offices and Western-style art galleries. The town’s economy depends on tourism and recreation; only a few old mines and logging areas remain from earlier days. Vacation homes abound in the spruce and aspen hills surrounding the town.
Pagosa Springs is the seat of Archuleta County, Colorado. The county courthouse is located along Pagosa Street downtown.
A list of all photo posts from the American County Seats series in TimManBlog can be found here.
All photos were taken by the author on July 2, 2005, or June 20, 2008.
My lifetime hobby is traveling to all of America’s county courthouses, and each month I post about a visit to a scenic or interesting county seat. It’s a hobby, and donations are greatly appreciated to help cover my costs.
Thanks,
Tim
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