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Library > Fact Sheets > Information and Histories of the Area
INFORMATION AND HISTORIES OF THE AREA
Posted 9/28/2007
Printable Fact Sheet
History Of The City Of Mountain Home
Seven miles northeast of 1-84 Exit 95, on Idaho Highway 20, the highway meets the Oregon Trail and the junction of the old Kelton (Utah) Boise stage road. The junction was known as Rattlesnake Station. This is the original site of Mountain Home. However, in the 1870's, Commodore Jackson purchased the station at Rattlesnake Springs, and used it as a ranch. Then, when the Oregon Short Line Railroad arrived in 1883, he moved south to a 160 acre homestead on the site now known as Mountain Home. In 1891, the Elmore County seat was moved from Rocky Bar to Mountain Home. In addition to hosting the county seat, it's also home to Elmore Medical Center, a 28-bed facility with an emergency room and Life Flight capabilities. Over 11,000 people now live in Mountain Home.
Statewide Points Of Interest
The state of Idaho has a variety of historical and natural landmarks that are worth a visit. The following are some of the interesting landmarks, cities or areas that make Idaho so unique. Please remember, this is not an all-encompassing list. For more information on events or activities in the area contact either the community activity center on base or the Mountain Home Visitors Center, located in the K-Mart parking lot, at the intersection of American Legion Blvd. and Interstate 84.
Boise
The base is a 60-minute drive from Idaho's capital (population 175,000). The city's attractions include the Boise River Walk - a series of riverside parks linked by a paved bicycle, running and walking path that stretches from downtown Boise to the Lucky Peak Dam recreation area.
The Old Idaho Penitentiary
Idaho's first territorial prison, opened in 1872. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and converted into a public exhibit after the last prisoners were removed in 1974.
Idaho's Ghost Towns
These towns are a result of the gold rush days, when places like Placerville, Centerville, Atlanta and Idaho City were "boom towns." Today these towns are relatively quiet areas. other Idaho ghost towns include Silver City, Yankee Fork Gold Dredge and The Sierra Silver Mine.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
This 7,900-foot canyon is the deepest in North America and offers various outdoor attractions including camping and water-related sports.
Seven Devils' Peaks
Near Hells Canyon, this is one of the highest mountain ranges in Idaho. From Heaven's Gate Lookout, sightseers can look into four states.
Sawtooth Mountain/Sawtooth National Recreational Area
This mountain was named for its jagged profile. Boaters can visit lakes in the Stanley Basin, Redfish Lake, the Main Salmon River and the Sawtooth NRA.
Shoshone Falls
"The Niagara of the West," spills over a 212-foot drop near Twin Falls, Idaho.
Three Island State Park
Starting in Mountain Home, drive east to Glenns Ferry to Three Island State Park. This park marks one of the most famous river crossings on the historic Oregon Trail -Three island Crossing. When emigrants reached the Snake River, they were forced to choose between making the crossing or taking a southern alternate route that meant enduring bitter water and alkaline flats. As recounted in pioneers' diaries, crossings were not always successful. A reenactment of the historic crossing is held each August with replica wagons and "pioneers" wearing period clothing making the crossing.
Nature's Performing Arts
After crossing the Snake River west of Hammett, Idaho, on Highway 78, travelers enter the 482,000-acre, Birds of Prey Wildlife Area - home of the world's most dense population of nesting eagles, hawks and falcons.
Sand Dunes and Canyons
Climb North America's tallest singlestructured sand dunes, the largest of which stands 470 feet high. Learn how these dunes were formed at the Bruneau Dunes State Park's environmental center. Within the park's boundaries, tourists will find marshes, high desert and dune habitats, hiking trails and a campground.
Bruneau Canyon Overlook
Located about 20 miles outside Bruneau, Idaho, is the Bruneau Canyon Overlook - a view into a 1,200foot-deep, 800-foot-wide river canyon.
Pioneers and Wagon Trains
On Highway 20, seven miles northeast of town, stop at the historical sign marking Rattlesnake Station, the original site of Mountain Home until the railroad was built in 1883. Directly across the highway to the east, opposite the Rattlesnake Station historical marker, drive three miles of gravel road to Teapot Dome, a famous landmark for Oregon Trail emigrants. Take the rugged, hour-long trek to the top for a panoramic view of the Owyhee desert.
Anderson Ranch Dam Reservoir
Anderson Ranch dam is an earthfilled dam with a reservoir 17-miles long and 50 miles of shoreline. Services in the Anderson Ranch Reservoir areas of Pine, Fall Creek, Deer Creek and Featherville include lodging, a marina, RV sites, convenience stores, propane, gasoline, restaurants and campgrounds.
Trophy fishing and wild water
The South fork of the Boise River below Anderson Dam is known for its blue-ribbon fly-fishing. Winding along the river for 11 miles to Danskin Bridge, this road provides access to white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing areas.
Natural Hot Springs
Above the dam, between Pine and Featherville, be sure to stop at Johnson Bridge where natural hot springs flow into the river.Eight miles east of Featherville is the Baumgartner Hot Springs Campground and a self-guided nature path that winds around a hot-water sitting pool.
Bird's-eye View
Perched at 9,500 feet on Trinity Mountain is the highest fire lookout in the Boise National Forest. The hike on the narrow road leading to the lookout is a 22 percent grade, Campgrounds are available at Big and Little Roaring River Lakes and Big Trinity Lake. Trailheads are located near access roads for those lakes that can only be reached by hiking or horseback.
Idaho Past and Present
Ten miles north of Featherville stands the remnants of Rocky Bar. Once a mining operation that yielded millions of dollars in gold, Rocky Bar was destroyed in 1882. Several buildings, including the jail house, still remain. Another old mining town is Atlanta, which also thrived in the late 1800s. Although a 1941 fire destroyed most of its buildings, several remain and are recorded on the National Historic Register. Despite its ghost-town resemblance and remote, mountainous location Atlanta is very much alive with 40 year-round residents and the oldest established post office in Elmore County (founded in 1867).
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