P a g e 3 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r from the mine. To feed and house the new arrivals, a boarding house and restaurant were constructed, as well as a company store that provided an extensive selection of groceries and dry goods to the growing town’s residents. Unlike most western mining towns, Coolidge never had a saloon or a church. In January 1922, the Coolidge post office was established along with completion of the mill which covered nearly two acres making it the largest mill in Montana at that time in history. Courtesy of https://northwestrving.com One of the Better Cabins Sadly, by the time the town and mining operations had been fully developed, it was already on its way to becoming a ghost town as silver prices plummeted and the national economy slowed. The mine continued to operate through 1927 until a dam failure wiped out 12 miles of rail line and several bridges. Without a way to efficiently transport ore, operations were suspended. Out-of-work miners and their families quickly began moving away, the school closed and businesses were shuttered pushing Coolidge further towards ghost town status. By 1930 the railroad was repaired, however with the country falling into the Great Depression, silver prices were so low the mine could not be restarted profitably. The majority of those remaining moved away followed by the post office closing in 1932 completing the boom to bust cycle and creating another Montana ghost town. Dozens of buildings still stand in Coolidge, but are quickly succumbing to the elements. The lower mill was torn down in the late 1990's (The picture shown below was taken in the summer of 1998), but part of the upper mill remains which you will have a chance to visit at Upper Elkhorn Camp. Courtesy of https://northwestrving.com When you go: Start by reviewing the links for the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway which you will travel on your way to Coolidge. This link contains a short write up and a map of the byway, while this link has more detailed information and highlights stops along the way including where to dig for six sided crystals. To reach Coolidge: Head south on paved National Forest Road 73 (aka Wise River Road) which is part of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway to Old Polaris Road, then southeast on the dirt Old Polaris Road to the parking area located at: N45° 30.062 W113° 02.592 From the parking area it is about a half mile walk to the Coolidge site.
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