ABOUT
IDAHO SPRINGS: A BRIEF HISTORY
Native Heritage and Hot Springs
- Before settlers arrived, the Ute and Arapaho tribes considered the hot springs sacred for healing
- The Soda Creek area, where the Indian Hot Springs is located today, served as neutral ground between the tribes
- The tribes recognized the therapeutic value of the waters, using them for spiritual and physical healing long before the gold rush
Town Name
- The word “Idaho” comes from an Arapaho term meaning gem of the mountains
- The town’s name, Idaho Springs, honors both native heritage and the healing springs that shaped the area’s history
Gold Rush Origins
- In January 1859, prospector George A. Jackson discovered gold near present-day Idaho Springs.
- This sparked the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, transforming the town into the heart of the mining district.
- Mines produced not only gold but also copper, lead, and zinc.
- The Argo Mill and Tunnel, built in 1893, remains a landmark of this era.
Conflict and Change
- The arrival of prospectors in 1859 led to increased conflict with the Ute people.
- By the 1870s, the Ute were removed from their ancestral lands.
Modern Idaho Springs
- The town has preserved much of its Victorian-era architecture and offers historic walking tours.
- Attractions include the Argo Mine and Tunnel, Phoenix Gold Mine, and Mount Blue Sky Scenic and Historic Byway.
- Museums such as the Idaho Springs Heritage Museum and Historical Society Visitor Center showcase artifacts from the town’s past.
- Today, Idaho Springs is celebrated for its heritage, preserved buildings, and welcoming community spirit.
THE ART AT MTN PRIME
We hope you’ve noticed the beautiful artworks on the walls of our restaurant. Each piece was carefully chosen to honor this space, the region, and the people who lived their lives here from the native Ute and Arapaho tribes to the miners, settlers, trappers, and frontier families who made their way through this untamed land.