Postcard from the Past: History of Indian Bath Tubs

Material for this Postcard of the mineral hot springs in Saratoga was compiled from the files of the Saratoga Sun and Rawlins Daily Times; the collections and writings of Bob Martin, Elva Evans, Dick Perue, Gay Day Alcorn Clark, Candy Moulton and other authors and historians.

A natural phenomenon known by many monikers such as “Big Medicine,” “Healing Waters,” “Magic Waters,” “Medicinal Water,” “Mineral Hot Springs” or “Hobo Pool” is believed to be responsible for the location of Saratoga.

Hot mineral water comes to the surface in the valley through fissures at the peak of a geological formation resulting from the upheaval of a rock ledge. 

There are a number of these springs in the Upper North Platte River Valley from Elk Mountain on the north to Walden, Colo. on the south. However, most large springs are located in the town of Saratoga.

Many legends link Native Americans to these hot springs. The Natives believed in the supernatural powers of the waters. They believed by bathing in the mineral waters they would regain health and long life, while warriors sometimes believed the first to bathe would be the most enduring fighter.

The earliest settlers in this area often referred to the hot springs as the “Indian Bath Tubs.” 

Professor W.H. Reed, who came over in 1868 to study and gather specimens, has told the most believable stories about the springs. He traveled throughout Wyoming and often came to Saratoga. 

He said, “The hot springs at this place used to be very popular with the Indians, they would resort to this valley by the thousands. This was neutral ground for every Indian Tribe, for they all wished to bathe in the waters and be healed. No matter how much they might war outside of its boundaries, here they would fraternize and bathe and be healed. All roads led to these hot springs, and there were deeply worn trails made by the dragging of teepee poles. The waters were big medicine.”

Reed also said when the emigrants came through this area in about 1847, “They brought smallpox to the Indians who then came to the hot springs for treatment, which consisted of sweating each patient in the hot water – listed as between 118 and 128 degrees – then plunging them into the cold waters – about 40 degrees – of the nearby river. The result was nearly always fatal.”

Mountain men and early hunters have said the treatment of many other Native American diseases was the same. The Natives decided a bad spirit had gotten into the waters and was killing all who bathed in them, so from then on, they shunned the valley and called the hot springs “Bad Medicine.”

Later this month, other historians and I will present a slide show and talk concerning this and many more accounts of the Mineral Hot Springs and Hobo Pool in Saratoga during a special history program at the Saratoga Library. – Dick Perue