Historic Tales of Glenwood Springs - Paperback

by Nancy K. Williams (Author)

Hot springs, notorious criminals, and Presidential visits.

For over a century, Glenwood Springs has attracted visitors from all walks of life with its sweeping vistas, hot springs, and luxury accommodations.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains where the Roaring Fork River meets the Grand River, it initially drew in prospectors and their families who decided to stay. Walter Devereis was the first to recognize the commercial potential of the mineral waters the Ute Indians considered sacred, building the world's largest health resort and spa alongside the Hotel Colorado. The wealthy and notorious followed close behind.

Theodore Roosevelt hunted mountain lions and bears in the rough country and stayed in the hotel so often it was nicknamed "the little White House of the West," while Doc Holliday came in the hopes that the hot springs would improve his health. The speakeasy boom during Prohibition attracted high-profile gangsters like Al Capone and Diamond Jack Altieri, who swaggered around town in a flashy cowboy outfit and $30,000 in diamonds.

Join author Nancy K. Williams as she recounts stories of the famous--and infamous--people who left their mark on Glenwood Springs.

Author Biography

Throughout her years in the West, Nancy has been captivated by places steeped in history--sites where people faced hardships, fought for survival, and sometimes met their end. Her interest spans locations that are clearly marked and tell their tales, as well as those identified only by a crumbling monument or a faded sign. Some are not marked at all, yet their silence is so profound that it feels as though the ghosts of those who once passed through still linger.