For many years after Coalmont’s mines had shut down, its underground coal beds continued to smolder, venting occasional wisps of smoke that vanished in the North Park wind. That, in a sense, is what happened to the whole town: It rose forth from the coal veins, then drifted away on the breeze.

But memories still smolder at the two-room Coalmont Schoolhouse, the last living remnant of this once-busy community. Founded about 1910 on the sagebrush flats of North Park, it quickly grew to 300 people on the strength of its profitable coal diggings. The school was built in 1915 for the children of town-dwelling miners; kids from outlying ranches also attended, often riding to and from class on horseback. In 1920 the building doubled in size, from one room to two; it also began to serve as Coalmont’s unofficial town hall and social club, hosting dances, political meetings, and other public events.

Although it held its last classes in the early 1950s, the schoolhouse remained an active community center. Then the mine company ceased operations and tore down its buildings; the railroad tracks were ripped up, the post office closed, and Coalmont’s little downtown evaporated. The schoolhouse, though, continues to operate as the Coalmont-Spicer Club—the only building remaining from this once-bustling town.