A Unique History

The Spring City

 Nestled along the bluffs of the Skunk River of Central Iowa, the small town of Colfax boasts a big and surprising history. Originally platted in 1866 as a stagecoach and railroad stop, Colfax rocketed to world prominence with the discovery of artesian mineral water springs in 1875.
The mineral water industry brought in thousands of visitors a year, who came to bathe and drink the medical properties of the water. In its heyday, Colfax became known as "Spring City," "Little Carlsbad of the Midwest," and the "Saratoga of the West" comparing the town to famous spa resorts of Europe and America. Colfax sported eighteen mineral springs, four bottling works, nine spa hotels, and other industries that sprang up around the burgeoning economy of the time. In 1900, Hotel Colfax, the largest hotel, registered 13,000 guests.
Unfortunately the Great Depression and modern medicine brought about the end of the mineral water industry. Many of the great hotels fell into disrepair or were destroyed by fire. In the 1930s, the iconic gazebo at Mineral Springs Park was constructed by the Works Progress Administration to commemorate the industry. Now Colfax has memorialized unique past by creating the Spring City Commercial Historic District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.