Elmore County is named for the Ida Elmore mines, which were noted for gold and silver production in the 1860’s.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Boise County
E – Blaine County, Camas County, Gooding County and Twin Falls County
S – Owyhee County
W – Owyhee County and Ada County
Created: February 7, 1889
County Seat:
Rocky Bar 1889 – 1891
Mountain Home 1891 – present
County Courthouse – Mountain Home
Location: 150 South 4th Street / East 2nd South
Built: 1915 – 1916
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Wayland & Fennell
Contractor: C E Johnson
Description: The building faces southwest and is a two story gray colored stone and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Mountain Home. The foundation is rusticated sandstone. The south front has a slightly projecting center section with stone pilasters and framed entrance on the first story. The roof line is flat. In the interior is a small foyer and high central hall. All of the moldings, doors, transoms and tiled floors are intact. There are original plaster walls and wood trim. At either end of the rear hall is a wide staircase ascending to the second story. The County District Court courtroom is located on the northeast side of the second story. In the basement are two County Magistrate Court courtrooms. The building houses the County District Court and County Magistrate Court of the 4th Judicial District.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Elmore County Courthouse
See: The 4th Judicial District includes Ada County, Boise County and Valley County.
County Courthouse Annex – Mountain Home
Location: 150 South 4th Street / East 2nd South
Built: 1978
Style: Modern
Architect: W Alpha Engineers
Contractor: Johnson Bothers
Description: The building faces southwest and is a one story concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds on the east side of the courthouse in the center of Mountain Home. The roof line is flat.
History: The county was created in 8889 and Rocky Bar was selected as the county seat. In 1891 the county seat was moved to Mountain Home. The county rented space and the first courthouse was a school. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1915 to 1916.
County Courthouse – Mountain Home
County Magistrate Court courtroom
County Magistrate Court courtroom
County Courthouse Annex – Mountain Home
Photos taken 2011 and 2025
Images 16″