Blossoming despite disappointment

Photo courtesy John M. Motter
This 1883 drawing shows the town on the right side and Fort Lewis on the left side. The drawing was made in connection with the initial survey platting the town. Fort Lewis had already been abandoned, but the buildings remained.

By May of 1881, Pagosa Springs could boast of its first public bathhouse, a frame building erected by Thomas Blair. It had a large plunge bath fully 4.5 feet deep and several single bath tubs sufficient to accommodate all visitors.

The town was blossoming despite many disappointments.

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