This lot is almost reminiscent of Northern Colorado as being the slowest part of the state to receive settlers, due to being cut off by mountain ranges, it has been left to herds of cattle and a few venturesome spirits who care to brave solitude and privation. It’s this adventuresome spirit that led James H. Crawford and friends to traverse the upper Yampa in 1874. Advice from a lone prospector told them of a wonderful site with warm springs; one he called “Steamboat Springs”. Crawford and a friend decided to follow the river and find the springs. Enamored with the spot, James put up a “notice of location” and the stone foundation for a future house. The entire Crawford family soon came out and settle in Steamboat in 1875. It was from one isolated cabin, a village slowly grew.