Coeur d'Alene Idaho is a beautiful town located on the shores of Lake Coeur
d'Alene, and on the border of the Coeur d"Alene National Forest. But location
does nothing to describe the bustling clean feel of the city, and friendly people
you will see out in the streets and in the shops every day.
 Recreation
here is plentiful with lake sports in the summer and skiing in the winter. We
are near two great resorts: Silver Mountain Resort, and Schweitzer Mountain
Ski Resort. We are also located a mere 30 miles west of Spokane, Washington
with a great airport and big city culture.
Coeur d'Alene is know as "Lake City" and fondly called CDA by residents.
We have the most awesome Christmas Lighting Ceremony which has been featured
on Good Morning America.
Coeur d'Alene is the county seat of Kootenai County, and houses North Idaho
College.
Lake City History
"Coeur d'Alene" is a French phrase which translates literally to,
"Heart of the awl". This was the name the French traders gave to the
native tribes. Some historians think the name came out of respect for their
tough trading practices, others translated the phrase to mean "Eye of the
needle", referring to the narrow passage through which the lake empties
into the Spokane River on its way to the Columbia. The city of CDA grew around
Fort Coeur d'Alene which was built on the shores of the lake in the 1870's.
The name of this fort was later changed to Fort Sherman to honor the general,
but the name of the lake stuck.
North Idaho College is located on the original site of Fort Sherman. There
you will find the Fort Sherman Museum which gives a marvelous history of the
area.
Coeur d'Alene first flourished as a railroad and steamboat hub in the early
1890's. Goods were transferred between mines in the Silver Valley to smelters.
In the1900's a major timber boom brought additional prosperity to the town resulting
in astonishing growth. We became the county seat in 1908.
Fun in Coeur d'Alene
As the largest town in Idaho's panhandle, Coeur d'Alene is a major business
center, recreational and tourist destination. We host numerous festivals, fairs,
concerts and the Ironman Triathlon.
We are surrounded by the most beautiful recreational waterways in the North
West. Here you will find all resources for boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking,
rafting and power boating.
We have bountiful trials for mountain biking, hiking and camping. North Idaho
offers world class fishing, hunting and any activity for the outdoor adventurer.
Visit Our Town Online
Coeurdaleneidaho.net is creating a virtual town online to help internet travelers
find local businesses, restaurants, recreation and places to stay. Please have
some fun browsing through our online streets, and tell businesses you found
them on "Coeurdaleneidaho.net."
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