Coolin, Idaho

Coordinates: 48°28′47″N 116°50′58″W / 48.47972°N 116.84944°W / 48.47972; -116.84944
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Coolin, Idaho
Coolins, March 2020
Coolins, March 2020
Coolin is located in Idaho
Coolin
Coolin
Location within Idaho
Coolin is located in the United States
Coolin
Coolin
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 48°28′47″N 116°50′58″W / 48.47972°N 116.84944°W / 48.47972; -116.84944
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyBonner

Coolin is an unincorporated community in Bonner County, Idaho, United States.[1] The nearest school district is the West Bonner School District.[2]

Geography[edit]

Coolin is situated at the southeast end of Priest Lake, at an elevation is 2,490 feet above sea level.

Climate[edit]

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Coolin has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[3]

History[edit]

Andy Coolin opened a post office at the southern end of Priest Lake in 1893, thereby giving his name to the nascent community. Hopes were high for a mining bonanza in the area and for a future link to the railroad, 28 miles away.[4] To accommodate travelers and prospectors, Walt Williams, an employee of the Great Northern Railroad, built a two-story log hotel, the Northern Inn, in 1900.

In 1903 Andy Coolin received a patent on a homestead, planning to leverage his land into a financial empire. Coolin formed the Priest Lake Town Site and Improvement Company with his brother and other local investors in 1907. By that time Spokane businessman Joseph Slee already operated a steamboat out of Coolin connecting the lake with supplies, mail, and transportation. In 1906, Leonard Paul opened a general merchandise store in the tiny village; Ida Handy opened the Idaho Inn in 1908.

When mining riches failed to pan out and Andy Coolin's efforts to lure the railway to Priest Lake came to naught, the village of Coolin became a center for summer vacationers and services, including a sawmill, store, hotel, ranger station, docks, and steamboat service. Today the Old Northern Inn, the Leonard Paul Store, and the one room schoolhouse, built in 1916 and now the Coolin Civic Association, remain as landmarks from those early days.

Coolin's population was estimated at 100 in 1960.[5]

Politics[edit]

Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 62.9% 73 33.6% 39 3.4% 4
2016 57.7% 31 37.2% 20 5.1% 3
Statewide elections results
Previous statewide elections results[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 Senate 65.2% 75 33% 38 1.7% 2
2018 Governor 56.8% 29 41.9% 21 1.4% 1
2018 Lt. Governor 54.4% 28 45.6% 23 0% 0
2018 Attorney General 55.2% 27 44.8% 22 0% 0
2016 Senate 61.6% 33 35.8% 19 2.5% 1

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Coolins
  2. ^ West Bonner Schools
  3. ^ Climate Summary for Coolin, Idaho
  4. ^ Wild Place, A History of Priest Lake, Idaho by Kris Runberg Smith with Tom Weitz
  5. ^ World Book Encyclopedia. Vol. I. Field Enterprises Corporation. 1960. p. 27.
  6. ^ "Dave's Redistricting". davesredistricting.org. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dave's Redistricting". davesredistricting.org. Retrieved July 7, 2021.

External links[edit]

Media related to Coolin, Idaho at Wikimedia Commons