Robert Singletary's book, Coeur d'Alene: Beautiful and Progressive, traces the historical development of Coeur d'Alene from its beginning on the outskirts of Fort Coeur d'Alene in 1878 to a modern and progressive city on the north shore of beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene by 1990. Meticulously researched and written in a clear and unencumbered style, the author brings together a series of brief narratives that tells the story of Coeur d'Alene's economic, political, social and cultural institutions. Included are the development of the city's churches, schools and colleges, medical facilities, timber and other industries, buildings and stores, transportation, the library, the Coeur d'Alene Press, the museum, bands, orchestras and choirs, art galleries, clubs, entertainment, social activities and celebrations. In addition to the story of these institutions and the formation of a functioning city government, a portion of this book, called "PROFILES," gives a brief background and some of the accomplishments of a few people who helped shape the history of Coeur d'Alene.To help bring the story of Coeur d'Alene alive, over 300 photographs from the Museum of North Idaho's photo collection are included in the book.

History of settlers as well as Indians in the northern counties of Idaho including extensive biographical sketches of prominent citizens.

In the heyday of its water commerce, Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho was the scene of more steamboating than any other lake, salt or fresh, west of the Great Lakes. The old steamers brought gold, silver, and lead from the mines; lumber from the forests; mail to lonely homesteaders; and romance down the shadowy St. Joe River, whose silken waters flow into the Coeur d’Alene. The old steamboats are gone now from the lake—but here is their story, exciting, nostalgic and complete. Across Lake Coeur d’Alene, in the early days, the big mining boom in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains was carried out, and the ore-hauling stammers came and went. Across the lake water went the timber seekers in their rush to grab the white pine riches of the St. Joe country; and a new fleet of stammers carried timber barons, homesteaders and lumberjacks up the twisting, cottonwood-shaded St. Joe. On holidays the old stammers were transformed into excursion boats. The beauty of the mountain lake and its two rivers lured thousands of people from Spokane and the Palouse farmlands, who crowded into special trains and headed for the banner-draped boats. Gay crowds danced on deck, children had a hectic day, and amorous couples gazed languorously at the blue-and-silver waters as the excursion steamer trailed homeward in the moonlight. Here you will visit the bustling waterfront boom towns of Coeur d’Alene, Harrison, St. Maries, Ferrell, and St. Joe, just as they were in the glory days of steamboating, and as they are today. Romantic and factual history skilfully merge as the old towns, the rivermen, and the boats glide by in easy, informed narrative.