Mountain Home in Elmore County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Mountain Home Arrives in a 50-pound Soapbox

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

1. Mountain Home Arrives in a 50-pound Soapbox Marker

Inscription. 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 towns 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 Haager 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.

Erected 2004 by E Clampus Vitus, Chief Truckee Chapter #3691 Lewis and Clark Outpost #1805 and Elmore County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

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In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 7, 1883.

Location. 43° 7.945′ N, 115° 41.75′ W. Marker is in Mountain Home, Idaho, in Elmore County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street/Old U.S. 30 and American Legion Boulevard on North Main Street/Old U.S. 30. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North Main Street, Mountain Home ID 83647, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mountain Home Irrigation District (approx. 1.7 miles away); Rattlesnake Station (approx. 2.2 miles away); Site 5 ★ Rattlesnake Creek (approx. 2.2 miles away); Oregon Trail 1864 (approx. 8.4 miles away); Site 6 ★ Kelton Road (approx. 8.7 miles away); Site 4 ★ Hot Springs (approx. 8.9 miles away); Site 7 ★ Canyon Creek (approx. 9 miles away); Canyon Creek Station (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain Home.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

2. Mountain Home Arrives in a 50-pound Soapbox Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on February 5, 2019, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.