Mountain Home arrives in a 50-pound Soapbox
Eight miles east of here, Rattlesnake Station, was an important
stop for wagon trains and travelers along the Oregon Trail because of
its sure supply of fresh water. Later, a stage station with a post office
called "The Mountain Home" was established by Commodore Jackson
who had settled on the property.
In 1881, when the Oregon Short Line began building through
Southern Idaho Territory, Jackson who had a desert claim to 320 acres
of fields along the route, laid out the survey stakes for a town site
parallel to the new tracks. The town's first businessman, Mr. Tutwiler,
inside his tent set up a whiskey barrel on sawhorses. The thirsty
railroad workers cheered, "Hurrah for Tut" and named the town Tutville.
The first train steamed into "Tutville" on July 7, 1883. Postmaster
and Stage Agent Jule Hager quickly packed up the Mountain Home
Post Office in a soapbox and relocated the mail to the rail, bringing with
him the name, Mountain Home.
Dedicated September 25, 2004 by
Lewis and Clark Outpost #1805
Chief Truckee Chapter #3691, E Clampus Vitus
Elmore County Historical Society
