Crystal Hot Springs

Our past extends far beyond written history. Dr. Steve Simms; Professor of Anthropology and Archeology at Utah State University has done extensive field work in the area. He believes the valley where the Springs is located was once home to more than 450 generations of Native American families. The North Shoshone-Bannock was the last native people to call the Springs' home. Once a year their tribe returned to the Springs to spend time together and tell stories of their ancestors. Post Native American history brought the Chinese railroad workers to the area to soak in cedar tubs to relax and bathe prior to the establishment of Honeyville City by a local bee keeper and farmer named Abraham Hunsaker, who became the first Mayor of this small rural town.

In more recent history, Crystal Hot Springs, originally named Madsen Hot Springs, was established as a business in 1901. When Crystal Hot Springs first became a business the springs gravity fed a pool, housed in a large building. The indoor pool was used until 1937 when lightning started a fire burned the facilities to the ground. During the early 1900's nobody owned their own bathing suits and a ticket to the one large indoor pool included the suit rental. The pool used to be covered by a pavilion, until a fire burned the building down and the pool was left outside and a new lodge building was erected in the early 1940's next to the pool. President Roosevelt, an avid springs enthusiast himself, started a program of rehabilitation for wounded soldiers. Soldiers wounded during World War II were sent to many springs for rehabilitation, including Crystal Hot Springs. Hundreds of busses full of soldiers arrived at the Springs over a 3 year period. Over 100 busses still come to the Springs every year, but instead of wounded soldiers they are full of tourists from around world, who often stop on there way to and from yellowstone.