Cool, California
Coordinates: 38°53′14″N 121°00′53″W / 38.88722°N 121.01472°W
| Cool | |
|---|---|
| — Unincorporated community — | |
 Cool
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| Coordinates: 38°53′14″N 121°00′53″W / 38.88722°N 121.01472°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado County |
| Elevation[1] | 1,532 ft (467 m) |
Cool, formerly known as Cave Valley, is a small unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California,[1] about 40 miles (64 km) from Sacramento, the state capital. Cool is at an elevation of 1532 feet (467 m).[1]
The population is about 4100, and the community is inside area code 530 with a ZIP code of 95614.
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[edit] Geography
It is built on State Route 49 between Auburn and Placerville on a hill at an elevation more than 1500 feet (450 m), and in an area full of trees, trails, camping and other recreational activities.
The temperature ranges from 75° to 115° degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 25°F to 50°F in the winter.
[edit] History
The first post office was established in 1885.[2] Penobscot Public House, established in 1850, was a way station and stage coach stop during the days of the Gold Rush. The famous Penobscot Ranch still exists today. Today the historic site, including the house built during the days of the Gold Rush and the barn built in 1923, can be viewed by driving down Highway 193 four miles outside of the business center of Cool. Cool offers residents and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful rural residential environment, including small restaurants, as well as the Auburn State Recreational Area which is open to the public for hiking and horsebackriding.
There is no entirely clear history of how the town came to be called Cool. Some locals believe that a beatnik named Todd Hausman coined the name in early 1947 on a cross country road trip, and appended it to the town. However, some local historians claim that the town was named during the days of the [Gold Rush] after an Aaron Cool, but no records exist on him.
Recently, Jerry L. Pozo (a resident of Cool) has done extensive research on the origin of the town's name. Pozo believes that the town was named after an early California miner/preacher named Peter Yawger Cool from Aurelius, NY who ministered in the area under the authority of the Methodist Church in the 1850s. Pozo's letter to the editor of the Georgetown Gazette from June 2011 has been transcribed and can be found. Reverend Cool lives on through Jerry, who has adopted his dress and personality as part of his duties as an docent/interperter for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, CA, other state parks, historic events, and Native Sons of the Golden West venues. Pozo concludes" It is with great respect and admiration that I continue to portray our beloved Reverend Peter Y. Cool, and let people know about this gentle, honorable Christian man, and itinerate preacher from the Gold Rush Era."
[edit] Ultramarathon
The Way Too Cool 50 Kilometer run starts and ends in the town in early March. It follows sections of the Western States Trail with more than a 7000 ft (2100 m) elevation change along its 31-mile length.
[edit] Politics
In the state legislature Cool is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Dave Cox, and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines. Federally, Cool is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11[3] and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock.
[edit] Education
The Black Oak Mine Unified School District serves Cool. Cool currently has just one school - Northside School - catering for elementary (K-6) and middle school (7-8) grades.[4] Residents are zoned to Golden Sierra High School.[5]
Until 2007 there was also another K-5 and middle school - Cool Christian School.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cool, California
- ^ Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Quill Driver Books. p. 469. ISBN 9781884995149.
- ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
- ^ "Home Page." Northside School. Retrieved on October 27, 2010.
- ^ "Welcome to the Black Oak Mine Unified School District." Black Oak Mine Unified School District. Retrieved on October 27, 2010.
- ^ "Cool Christian School"
As well as Northside, the other school in cool was Cool Christian School. Started in 1990 or 1991 as a K-8* (not 5).
