A letter to the Mountain Messenger from Acton Cleveland, quoted by Frank Meggers

"Now, where are we at with further reference to the proper name of the Hour House?

Being a younger man, I do not quote myself as being an authority on such matters. However, as a basis for what I've written on this subject for your paper, I've taken some of the best authorities on pioneer history in this section, and I still want proof from the other side to convince me that I am wrong...

I take this opportunity to quote my grandfather who packed groceries to this roadhouse 65 years ago that there was a big sign painted on the end of the buildings and another over the gate reading "Hour House". At one time he asked the proprietor if it was "Our Hourse" and he replied, "N0! This is MY house. Can't you read? The sign is on the gate!"

"It was not impossible for horses to make the trip in one hour. To verify this, seventy years ago, a stagecoach with nineteen passengers made the trip from Virginia City to Nevada City in 13 1/2 hours. H.S. Tibby, pioneer editor of the Mountain Messenger, also verifies the original name of the "Hour House". For those who have never seen the name written, it may sound like "our house," but in actual history, it is referred to as a stopping place named "Hour House". And so it should be called today.

Very truly yours, A.M. Cleveland"