Moving History Forward: Cd'A had a ski area on Signal Point
For several years during the 1950s, citizens of Kootenai County could go to a nearby ski hill with six runs and a spectacular view of Lake Coeur d’Alene and mountains to the east.
A lift ticket cost $1.50 per day and provided skiers with the use of three challenging runs and a wood-heated lodge. Located on a nearby peak between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, it was known as Signal Point Ski Resort.
In the 1940s Maitland F. Wilkins, a tug boat operator for Lafferty Transportation, bought about 570 acres on top of Signal Point with the idea of creating a ski hill. With the help of numerous volunteers from the area, Wilkins' team built a road up the hill, cleared brush and trees to create the three runs, constructed a three-story lodge out of logs from the property and assembled towers for the rope tows.
In order to create the necessary funds to operate the ski resort, Wilkins started the Signal Point Corp. with Roger Young, a local school teacher and avid skier, as secretary-treasurer. According to Young, many local business owners and organizations helped support the ski resort on Signal Point, which began operating in the winter of 1950-51.
Because of the long and narrow road, a sign was posted in the lodge that read, “No downhill traffic until 2:30.” The road was kept open by plows that Wilkens built using Army Jeeps.
Signal Point Corp. closed the ski resort in 1956. The investors were repaid about 10 cents on the dollar. The land was purchased by Neil Udel. Today, the peak is home to microwave relay stations.
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The Museum of North Idaho has more than 36,000 historic photos. Digital copies are available for sale. The exhibit hall at 115 Northwest Blvd. opens on April 1. For more information, go to www.museumni.org.
