Jeff Schmerker
Looking for ghosts.
Gold was first found here in 1872, but it was not until a former Montana governor started buying claims in this high mountain valley in 1911 that the rush in Coolidge began. By 1914 the camp had become a town with electricity, telegraph, and homes, and soon also came a large mill and railroad. By 1930, however, the town was on the decline. Today, a one-mile hike leads to the remains of Coolidge's main street, with a collection of collapsed or collapsing buildings and a handful of others in good condition. A creek bubbles along, lending background music and a healthy breeding ground for mosquitoes.
We are here in the long Montana summer twilight. Laura is taking pictures and Cooper is following me, poking around and looking at the interpretive signs. Suddenly, he says "I'm scared". Between that and the bugs, it's enough impetus to head back to the truck.
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