11/17/2025
The History of Boulder County Rests Here: Herman H. Steinbaugh
Herman H. Steinbaugh was born in Louisville, Colorado, in 1892 to John Jacob and Elizabeth Strietz Steinbaugh. His father was born in Honnef, Germany, and moved with his family to the United States when he was seventeen. Within a year or two, he struck out on his own, learning the blacksmith trade in Missouri before moving farther west to the Denver area. In 1890, he settled in Louisville and went to work for Sam Lemon as a blacksmith. He married Elizabeth in 1891, and the next year, Herman was born. On June 6 of that year, he opened his own blacksmith shop in competition with his former employer.
In his new shop, John Jacob began by shoeing horses, repairing buggies, tire setting, putting spikes in wagon wheels, welding, and sharpening bits and shovels. In 1904, he added a room on the side of his building and started selling hardware supplies as well. His plan was for young Herman to manage the hardware department. In the early days, Herman spent much of his time selling and delivering farm machinery by horse and buggy to the surrounding area. Finally, in 1911, they purchased a Model T Ford, and his deliveries got a little easier. It was still a challenge, as no roads had yet been built, and wagon ruts could be difficult to maneuver.
Over time, more land was added, and the building was enlarged to allow for the growing business. In 1928, the lumber yard and building supplies became a part of their inventory. By 1935, the blacksmith department was discontinued, and the sale of furniture was added. While he had worked with his father for many years, he didn't take over the management or the operation until 1940 when J. J. retired.
Herman was married to Laura Mae Abbott, and together they had eight children - five sons and three daughters. At one time or another, all of the brothers except Bob, who was killed in World War I, worked for the family business. In 1951, the name was changed from J. J. Steinbaugh to Steinbaugh Lumber Company. In 1954, a brick front with picture windows and a modern façade was added to provide a contemporary look to their Front Street building. They discontinued selling lumber in 1967. They had become associated with Ace Hardware a few years earlier and began to focus primarily on hardware and furniture.
Herman died on December 29, 1967, and was laid to rest beside his wife, who had passed away in 1963. They are buried in lovely Green Mountain Cemetery. Following his father's death, the other brothers retired, and Glenn took over the family business. On September 5, 1974, a devastating fire destroyed their store on Front Street, and they lost all merchandise. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation determined it was arson, but an arrest was never made. Following the loss, Glenn purchased a building at 801 Main Street, and business continued as usual.
Glenn's wife and four children joined him working at the store, marking the fourth generation of Steinbaughs to be a part of what J. J. started in 1892. When Glenn started moving toward retirement, sons Tom and Ron stepped into a management role. Sadly, after the big box stores moved into Louisville, business slowed down, and the family reluctantly decided to close the doors for good after serving the community for 105 years. The Louisville Times ran a two-page spread with town residents saying farewell and thanks to the family. Tom decided to continue in the hardware business, which had been his life, and he went to work as manager of McGuckin Hardware in Boulder, serving there for the next two decades.
