This is a great article highlighting all the reasons Cooke City is “The Coolest Small Town In America” – setting expectations for visitors who don’t realize there is no “City” in Cooke City.
An argument could be made that for all the reasons listed in The Alpine Motel’s annual Facebook post are exactly the reasons opening “the plug” could be detrimental to this tiny community.
Chad Meador, Alpine Motel General Manager: “It’s a unique place because not much has changed,” he said. “The population fluctuates by five to 10 people each year. The ownership of businesses changes, but the businesses stay the same. I see people on Facebook say nothing’s changed in 50 years, and I think that’s to its benefit. We have the charm of a very small town here.” (read full article here)
Plowing “the plug” would fundamentally alter Cooke City’s character. Increased accessibility could lead to a surge in tourism, potentially overwhelming the town’s limited resources and infrastructure. The influx might erode the very qualities that make Cooke City appealing to those seeking an escape from urban life. Moreover, plowing The Plug would disrupt winter recreational activities, adversely affecting local businesses that rely on snowmobile and ski tourism. (Summarized from the Powell Tribune)
READ: A viral post by The Alpine Motel – “WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VISITING THE COOLEST TOWN IN AMERICA”
