The earliest history of Cool dates back to the year 1850 and its unusual name was attributed to the Reverend Aaron Cool, Thereby clearing up a mystery that has long been in the minds of our leading citizens. Aaron Cool was a circuit-riding preacher who spent most of his time in this locality. He held Sunday church services in the local saloons where, after a boisterous Saturday night, gospel reading, prayers and hymns replaced the week’s activities. Loren Lovejoy operated an Inn and stage stop and William Ashley owned the first blacksmith shop. The two places of business were always a welcome sight to the teamsters who plied the steep Auburn Grade in order to bring needed supplies to the mining camps.

     Early settlers to the area now called Cool found no rich gold deposits like those distributed across the rest of the Georgetown divide. Disappointed by the lack of gold deposits, early miners in the area were nevertheless delighted by the large impressive limestone caverns carved in the steep canyon walls north and southwest of the confluence of the North and Middle forks of the American River. One of the largest of these natural caverns, found scattered from the top of the canyon almost to Pilot Hill, was Alabaster Cave, over 100 feet in length, ranging from 10 to 30 feet in width, and almost thirty feet high. A small community sprang up near the caves at the top of the steep grade. Cave Valley (Cool) residents took advantage of their ideal location in the direct path of miners, merchants, families, and passers-by traveling between "civilization" and the gold fields. The cavers themselves were a great tourist attraction, and were mentioned several times in Hutching’s California Magazine, a travel magazine published in the 1850’s and 1860’s. One of the caves served as a dance hall, and a series of grand balls were held in it in 1856 and 1857. Tickets were $5 each.

     The same cave was briefly converted to a wine cellar, but that proved impractical. Wagon access was difficult, making loading and unloading a major chore, with the stock being mysteriously depleted on a grand scale during the short-lived experiment.

     Economically, however, the tourist business wasn’t likely to support anyone for long, and a market was found in 1852 for the limestone deposits where the caves were found. Limestone was used for roofing granules, poultry grits, mineral filler, aggregate material, and soil conditioners. Cave Valley limestone proved to be very high in calcium and low in magnesium, making it of superior quality and greatly in demand, particularly in construction markets.

     Several tons of the lime was shipped by mule-drawn freight wagons to Sacramento in 1853 for use in the construction of the Orleans Hotel.

     Cool is noted for its cattle and fruit ranches. Among the latter are pear and cherry orchards. Charles Niegel who settled near Cool in 1883 was a pioneer cherry grower. He perfected a system of early spring cultivation which made this colorful fruit unusually large.

     The pleasant climate and hospitality of the people make Cool an ideal residential district. Many other towns along the famous Mother Lode have had their names changed but Cool still retains the one given in honor of Aaron Cool, the Reverend on horseback who brought the word of God to the raw mining country of the West.