History of Goldmyer

Goldmyer Hot Springs was first developed in the early 1900's by William Goldmyer although it was doubtlessly known by Native Americans for generations prior to that date. It was privatized as a patented mining claim (for hot water) and the Goldmyers ran a lodge in the early 1910's for miners and loggers in the valley. Access at the time was by primitive road, trail or railroad, which followed the Middle Fork Road and ended about a mile west of the property. There are records of a Model T bus which was outfitted with railroad wheels and made the trip from Seattle in less time than it takes today.
The old pelton wheel, shown here, was used in early days to provide power to the resort. In the 1920's, the property was sold by the Goldmyers, was briefly held by the predecessor of Burlington Northern Railroad and was bought in the late 1920s by the Morrow family who retained ownership until Northwest Wilderness Programs, Inc. was formed by Veida, John and Josephine Morrow and the land donated to the nonprofit group. NWWP was formed in the late 1970's as a response to the abuse the springs had suffered during the 1960's and 1970's through overuse and misuse. The caretaker cabin was built by volunteers in 1980. We now have full time resident caretakers to watch over the springs. In June, 2007, the road to Goldmyer was blocked by a locked gate at Dingford Creek and a bridge across the river at the Goldmyer access point was completed.

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