Coolidge, Montana – Tumbling in the Forest
Nestled within the verdant embrace of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, lies Coolidge, Montana, a ghost town where time and the elements have conspired to return it to the earth. Once a bustling hub of silver mining activity, Coolidge now stands as a poignant reminder of the fleeting fortunes that defined the American West. The skeletal remains of its buildings, slowly succumbing to the relentless pull of gravity, offer a glimpse into a bygone era when dreams of striking it rich fueled the ambitions of countless prospectors and their families. Today, Coolidge, Montana, whispers stories of boom and bust, of ambition and disappointment, as it continues its gentle descent back into the wilderness.
The story of Coolidge, Montana, is inextricably linked to the rich veins of silver discovered in the Pioneer Mountains in 1872. Preston Sheldon, an early prospector, stumbled upon a promising claim, which he aptly named the "Old Elkhorn" after a pair of elk antlers found nearby. This discovery marked the beginning of the Elkhorn Mining District, an area soon to be swarming with hopeful miners eager to carve their own piece of fortune from the mountainside.
Two years later, Mike T. Steele unearthed another significant vein, the Storm Claim, further solidifying the area’s potential. Dozens of claims and mines sprang up, each fueled by the promise of silver wealth. However, the remoteness of the location presented a significant obstacle: transportation. In the early days, ore extracted from the mines had to be laboriously hauled by wagon all the way to Corinne, Utah, a considerable distance, before being shipped by rail to the bustling metropolis of San Francisco. Despite the logistical challenges, the high-grade ore made many of the mines profitable, and fortunes were made, though not without significant effort.
The completion of the Utah and Northern Railroad to Silver Bow, Montana, in December 1881, provided a much-needed boost to the region. This new rail link significantly reduced transportation costs, making the mines even more lucrative. Mines such as the Critic, Fraction, Navajo, Good Enough, Park, Red Sky, Hamburg, Washington, Guy, Last Chance, Cleopatra, Mascot, and Cleveland, dotted the landscape, each contributing to the burgeoning mining economy. Yet, despite the activity, a proper townsite was still years away.
The prosperity was not to last. In 1893, the price of silver plummeted, triggering a widespread economic downturn that crippled the mining industry. All of the mines in the Elkhorn District were forced to shut down, plunging the area into a decade-long period of stagnation. Only a handful of independent prospectors remained, clinging to their claims and hoping for a resurgence in silver prices.
The early 20th century brought renewed hope. By 1903, silver prices had recovered sufficiently to warrant the reopening of some Elkhorn operations. New discoveries reignited interest in the Elkhorn Mine, but financing remained a challenge. The mine sat dormant until 1906, when Frank Felt, along with M. L. McDonald and Donald B. Gillies, began acquiring several claims in the district. They focused their efforts on a tunnel on the Idanha vein, which would eventually become the most productive mine in the Elkhorn District.
In 1911, William R. Allen, a prominent Montana politician, entered the scene, acquiring claims and forming the Boston Montana Mining Company in 1913. After thoroughly assessing the potential of the claims, the company initiated efforts to reopen the Elkhorn Mine. This marked the true genesis of Coolidge, Montana. The town was officially established in 1914, named in honor of Calvin Coolidge, a friend of William Allen. With a surge of miners and their families flocking to the area, the settlement rapidly transformed into a thriving community, boasting modern amenities such as telephone service and electricity – luxuries not always found in remote mining camps.
The year 1917 witnessed the commencement of construction on the last narrow-gauge railroad in the United States, connecting the Elkhorn Mine to Divide, Montana, at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. A school district was established in October 1918, reflecting the growing number of families in the area. The Montana Southern Railway was completed the following year, further solidifying Coolidge, Montana‘s, connection to the outside world.
As work on a new mill began in 1919, more families arrived in Coolidge. Initially, many resided in tents, which were gradually replaced by more permanent log structures. The town also featured a boarding house, a restaurant, and a company store that provided residents with a wide range of food and supplies. Surprisingly, Coolidge never had a saloon, although it was rumored that alcohol could be obtained from an individual operating outside the camp’s boundaries. The town also never established a church, perhaps reflecting the transient nature of the mining community.
A post office opened in Coolidge in January 1922, further cementing its status as a legitimate town. In the same year, the new mill, an impressive structure covering nearly two acres, was completed at a cost of around $900,000. A 65,000-volt power line was installed to power the mill, adding an additional $150,000 to the investment.
The mill, the largest in Montana at the time, was capable of processing 750 tons of ore per day with a recovery rate of 90-93%. The majority of the ore processed at the mill originated from the Idanha tunnel, located at the upper camp. This upper camp also included a sawmill, three bunkhouses, a boarding house, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter shop, and numerous cabins, creating a self-sufficient community high in the mountains.
However, the period of prosperity was short-lived. By the time the mining operations were fully developed, silver prices were plummeting, and the national economy was entering a downturn. The mill never operated at full capacity, as the ore veins were not sufficiently developed to provide a consistent supply. The mining operations began to focus on lower-grade ore and high-grade silver, but even these efforts failed to generate enough ore to keep the mill running efficiently.
By 1923, the mining operation was placed into receivership, and William Allen lost his fortune and control of the property. Despite this setback, the mine continued to operate, and approximately 24,000 feet of underground tunnels were developed by 1925. However, these efforts were not enough to make the operation profitable.
Adding to the woes, the Wise River Dam failed in 1927, washing out 12 miles of the railroad and several bridges, disrupting ore shipments and further isolating Coolidge, Montana. Soon after, the school district was closed, as many miners and their families began to leave in search of more promising opportunities.
By the time the railroad was repaired in 1930, metal prices had declined so drastically that the mine was no longer viable. By 1932, most of the townspeople had departed, and the post office was closed. At its peak, Coolidge had boasted a population of approximately 350 residents.
Despite the limited development of the mine and mill, approximately 50,000 tons of ore, containing gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc, had been processed by 1927. Over the following years, the mine changed hands multiple times, and operations continued intermittently, but without any significant success. William Allen, despite losing his fortune in the Elkhorn Mine, never lost faith in its potential and continued to seek investors until 1953.
In 1981, Timberline Minerals, Inc., acquired the Elkhorn mines and conducted some exploratory prospecting work, but this endeavor lasted only a couple of years.
Today, the site of Coolidge, Montana, is located within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Although dozens of buildings remain standing, they are gradually being reclaimed by nature. The lower mill was demolished years ago, and according to reports, the upper mill was destroyed by fire. It has also been reported that asbestos insulation is present in some of the remaining cabins, posing a potential health hazard.
Coolidge is situated south of Butte, Montana. To reach the ghost town, take SR-43 west from I-15, then south onto NF-73 (Wise River Polaris Road), followed by an eastward journey down a dirt road. A short hike of approximately half a mile is then required to reach the old townsite.
Contact Information:
Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest
Wise River Ranger District
PO Box 100
Wise River, Montana 59762
406-832-3178
Visiting Coolidge, Montana, is like stepping back in time, a chance to witness the slow, inevitable process of decay and the enduring power of nature. As the forest reclaims what was once a bustling mining town, it serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human endeavors and the enduring allure of the American West.