established 1889, reimagined 2019

When A Step Back Inn was built in 1898, Cañon City was a bustling mining and railroad town. As it is today, Cañon City was the largest city in Fremont County, one of the first counties in the recently organized state of Colorado. In the previous two decades, the richness of resources and topography made the town the epicenter of some noteworthy conflicts. A battle for control of the nearby Royal Gorge between rival railroads Denver and Rio Grande and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe (dubbed the Colorado Railroad Wars) and the scramble for dinosaur fossils between two competing teams of paleontologists led to the discovery of several important dinosaur species, and the dynamiting of several fossil quarries to prevent rival teams from making other discoveries (dubbed the Bone Wars.)

But by the time A Step Back Inn was built in the Old South Cañon neighborhood, court decisions had been confirmed, clearer heads had prevailed, and Rio Grande trains were serving the region while fossils were being prepared at museums in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, where they remain today. The house, originally built for mine workers, would continue to serve its purpose for over a century.

Purchased by its current owners in 2016, A Step Back Inn was carefully and lovingly restored over a year and a half period. The renovation was done with the appreciation for the historic nature of the home yet the understanding of how we use our homes today. The house offers all the comforts of today’s homes while staying true to its heritage and craftsmanship. So whether it’s outdoor sports, stargazing, recreation, or relaxation, A Step Back Inn is a warm and luxurious home base for any Colorado adventure.