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Coeur d’Alene History Coeur d’Alene is a small city in the Idaho panhandle. Named by the French when fur traders discovered the Native American tribe in the late 1700’s, Coeur d’Alene means “heart of the awl”. The Coeur d’Alene tribe calls themselves “the discovered people” or Schitsu'umsh in their language.1 Approximately a century after the French fur traders moved into northern Idaho and the Coeur d’Alene area the town was founded—in 1887 specifically. The town has grown significantly, from approximately 7,000 in the early 1900’s, to a small city of just over 50,000 as of 2017. Alongside this population growth one can see slight changes in industry and “infrastructure growth” as well. Coeur d’Alene and Northern Idaho in general are permeated by a strong history of logging. “At one time, there were more than 50 steamships working on the lake, hauling logs, mine ore and passengers on vacation.”2 Today industry in the Coeur d’Alene area still relies on logging but has changed slightly with the development of the Coeur d’Alene resort in 1986.

Tubbs Hill History Tubbs hill was initially bought and pitched as a neighborhood by Tony Tubbs in 1884. Knowingly disregarding the steep grade, elevation gain, and solid rock, Tubbs attempted to sell the 134 acres to buyers and investors who would have bought the land sight unseen. In actuality, the Coeur d’Alene city council bought part of the land with the intention of building a power plant in 1936. Then in 1962 the mayor attempted to build a convention center. 1973 was a tumultuous year for the 134 acres of now public land. After the Idaho Water company attempted to double rates, Coeur d’Alene voters instead bought the water company, receiving property on the eastern side of Tubbs Hill. Again in 1973, German investors attempted to buy a plot on the top of Tubbs Hill to build luxury condominiums.3

Adversity at Tubbs Hill Evidenced by Tubbs Hill’s turbulent history, it is clear the residents of Coeur d’Alene faced what may have seemed like insurmountable obstacles trying to protect and preserve Tubbs Hill. While Tubbs Hill is a passive body of land, one could go as far as to say Tubbs Hill faced these challenges and looked down the barrel of years of uncertainty also. When the Coeur d’Alene city council elected to build two diesel engines in what is now McEuen Field, providing the community with cheap power, Washington Water Power sued in 1937 preventing this construction. In 1962 when the mayor and some of his appointed counterparts attempted to build a convention center on the land, the Coeur d’Alene population voted them out of office one short year later in 1963. The first half of 1973 brought Tubbs Hill change, not adversity, as this is when the city acquired the eastern side. The second half, however, brought possibly the hardest challenge yet. German investors were interested in building condominiums on Tubbs Hill’s peak, but the Coeur d’Alene people we’re not going to allow that. They raised money, and “with the support of the city council and matching federal funds, the property was conveyed into public ownership in 1974, avoiding having a Deutschland Uber Alles.”4

Community rallying point Between the effort, trouble, and emotion put into wild spaces and nature preserves across the United States of America and the writings of Alfred Runte in The American Experience, it is evident these open spaces are much more significant to us than they appear. Runte speaks to how America’s national parks were born because of a sense of European or old-world superiority. We as American’s searched for value, history, cultural significance, even an awe factor in our landscapes. Once discovered, with westward expansion, the United States of America now had appeal! Why travel to Europe when you can travel west to California, Wyoming, and many other states with such beautiful natural wonders. Tubbs Hill is a cultural icon, a sign of the United States of America’s independence and worth, as are many other parks, reserves, and publicly owned land--big and small—and that is why communities rally behind them and fight for their preservation.5

Coeur d’Alene Today As previously mentioned, Coeur d’Alene has expanded almost tenfold over the last century. Located approximately thirty minutes from Spokane, Coeur d’Alene is well within driving distance to more job opportunities. There is also a golf course put in by the Resort, as well as the Silverwood theme park located about thirty minutes away as well. Coeur d’Alene has well rated public schools, as well as being the home to North Idaho Community College.

Tubbs Hill Today Today Tubbs Hill is undergoing environmental management, with invasive trees being removed and native ponderosa pines, western white pines, western larch trees, and other native species being planted. The land that was conveyed into public ownership now overlooks not only the beautiful Coeur d’Alene lake, but McEuen park as well. Between Tubbs Hill and the 20 acres at McEuen park, locals and tourists have space to play, relax, and explore.6

1 “Schitsu'umsh,” CDA Tribe 2 “History of Lake CDA,” CDA Cruises 3, 4, 6 “History,” Friends of Tubbs Hill 5 Alfred Runte, The American Experience