Tarkio Established 1881  Tarkio was platted by Charles E. Perkins in August of 1880 and was incorporated in June of 1881. The construction of the Tarkio Valley Railroad helped to build a community assured of continued prosperity. The name Tarkio is an Indian word meaning walnut or “a place where the walnuts grow”. Prior to settlement, Sac and Fox Indians roamed the wilderness and so named the area due to the great number of native walnut trees growing along the river that flowed southward through the east side of the county. The Walnut Inn, built in the early 1890’s as a hardware store and later converted into a hotel in 1911 is paneled with hundreds of feet of the native walnut. 
Tarkio River The first businesses in Tarkio were wagon makers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, grocery stores, restaurants, the Tarkio Republican Newspaper and other businesses typical of that time. David Rankin, once one of the world’s largest farmers, was responsible for much of the early development of the city. Mr. Rankin was an innovator of new farming techniques and was very instrumental in starting Tarkio College and his own bank. The York Post Office was established which, at the same time, served as a general merchandise store and a public school. Before Tarkio was two years old, its citizens began agitating for the removal of the county seat from Rock Port, a town located eight miles southwest of Tarkio. Without waiting for an election, they built a courthouse. This proved to be a mistake, for the county voted to leave the seat of justice in Rock Port, so it was decided to use the building as a college. In 1883 Tarkio Valley College served many students as a private four-year liberal arts’ school until 1991, when it was forced to close. 
Tarkio College In the Early Days Tarkio was also home to the famous Mule Barn Theatre. Once used to house David Rankin's mules, the Mule Barn became a regional attraction when it was transformed to a theatre. Spectators from hours away traveled to Tarkio to see the productions. Sadly, the Mule Barn burnt in the late 1980s. Theatre is still alive in Atchison County in the Liberty Theatre in the Atchison County Memorial Building in Rock Port, Missouri. 
Mule Barn Today, Tarkio is a wonderful town to visit. It is home to many beautiful mansions reminiscent of earlier times and quite unusual in the typical small town settings. The Tarkio College campus is also lovely to view in all its splendor.
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