Sawtelle

The name Sawtelle was derived from the first settler who set up ranching, trapping, and fishing at the base of a mountain in the heart of Island Park, Idaho.

His name was Gilman Sawtell. In 1868, his base camp was located on the northern shores of Henry's Lake, just north of the mountain. The man's name was misspelled by Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard, Commander, Department of the Columbia, who was engaged in the Nez Perce campaign against Chief Joseph. The misspelling remained and is often used today as it refers to the silhouette of the mountain, as seen looking west, displaying the

head of an Indian in full headdress, lying on his back.

This book tells one of the many legends about the mountain known today as Sawtelle