"Coolidge was …. the site of Montana's largest and final silver development. … As early as 1919, the community of Coolidge had begun to thrive and at this time work was beginning on the mine tunnel. …
By 1922 the town had both telephone service and electricity provided by a power line running from Divide over the hill to Coolidge. With more families moving to Coolidge, the school district was organized in October 1918. A post office was established in January of 1922. Residents were entertained at the pool hall, or skiing and sledding during the winter.
By the time the mine tunnel and operation were ready to go, the national economy took a downturn and silver prices plummeted. In 1923, the whole operation had gone into receivership. W.R. Allen lost his personal fortune and control of the property. In 1927 a Montana Power Company dam failed and water washed out twelve miles and several bridges of Boston-Montana's railroad. The school district was abandoned and in 1932 the post office was discontinued…." More here
This ghost town was started later than many of the other Montana ghost towns we've read about. Coolidge is being allowed to go back to nature. No attempts are being made to preserve or restore the buildings (as they are at Garnet).
wonderful colors in some of the wood
Many of the buildings appeared to have dirt on the roofs -
extra insulation for Montana winters?
The school collapsed into the river
These tree roots grew around two fairly large rocks -
a reminder that we can "grow" our way around adversity
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