"Coolidge was …. the site of Montana's largest and final silver development. … The school district was organized in October 1918. 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. 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…." Coolidge is being allowed to go back to nature. No attempts are being made to preserve or restore the buildings (as they are at Bannack). More here
This ghost town was started later than many of the other Montana ghost towns we've read about. The abandoned town is about a 15 minute walk from the parking lot. Joe and David talked while the rest of the group hiked back to the ghost town. When we returned, David and Joe were gone. Later we found out the mosquitoes were so bad that David and Joe went back to the Grasshopper.
schoolhouse collapsed into the river
beautiful colors in the weathered wood
Many of the buildings appeared to have dirt on the roofs -
extra insulation for Montana winters?
click on an image for a larger view
The town is littered with stoves, tin cans, metal bed frames
& other abandoned possessions
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