# Oregon Geographic Names (1952)/F

​Face Rock, Coos County. Face Rock is in the ocean, just a little off shore and about a mile south of the mouth of Coquille River at Bandon. The rock looks like a human head, with a lifelike face peering up from the ocean and gazing toward the North Star. There are a number of Indian legends about Face Rock. The rock is sometimes called Graystone, but Face Rock is the name in general use.
Fair GROUNDS, Marion County. The first of the long series of Oregon State Fairs was held in the first week of October, 1861, at grounds a little to the north of Oregon City. While the facilities were good, they were not entirely satisfactory, and it was decided to move the fair to the Marion County Fair Grounds in the northeast part of Salem. The fair was held there on four days beginning September 30, 1862, and the place has since continued as the State Fair Grounds. For historical notes, see OHQ, volume VIII, page 317, et seq. A post office with the name Fair Grounds was established in December, 1871, and was discontinued in March, 1874. The office was reestablished with the name Fair Grounds in April, 1892, and was continued until September, 1914, when the business was turned over to Salem. It should be noted that the post office established in April, 1892, was officially called Fair Grounds. The name was reduced to one word, Fairgrounds, sometime about 1895 and it remained that way until the office was discontinued in 1914. However, the railroad station has been called two words, Fair Grounds, for many years.
Fair Oaks, Douglas County, Fair Oaks was an early-day office near Calapooya Creek a few miles eastward of Oakland, which received its name because of the surrounding tree growth. The post office was established April 5, 1878, with William R. Smith first of three postmasters. It was discontinued May 25, 1882, with mail to Oakland. Available maps are not in agreement as to its exact location, and it probably moved around a little to suit the postmasters.
FAIRBANKS, Wasco County. The locality Fairbanks is on Fifteenmile Creek about ten miles east-northeast of The Dalles. Prior to the establishment of the post office there, Daniel Farrington came from the state of Maine and located on Fifteenmile Creek. When some other settlers came, they applied for a post office, and when the petition was granted, Farrington named it for his old home in Maine. The office at Fairbanks, Oregon, was established October 31, 1905, with Cyrus Cooper postmaster. The office was discontinued July 31, 1909. The name of the locality has been kept alive by Fairbanks School.
Fairchild SPRING, Wallowa County. Fairchild Spring, in township 4 north, range 47 east, was named by George Mitchell, Dr. C. T. Hockett, S. L. Burnaugh and F. I. Vergere for Henry Fairchild, who directed them to the spring for a hunting camp. It is in the northeast corner of the county.
FAIRFIELD, Marion County. Postal authorities have informed the compiler that this post office was established March 24, 1852, with John C. Peebles first postmaster. Fairfield is not now a post office. The name is apparently descriptive, and belongs to a locality about six miles south of St. Paul, on the east bank of Willamette River. For short history of Fairfield, see Salem Statesman, October 28, 1931. John C. Davidson is reported to have built the first store in 1856. Before the days of the railroads Fairfield was an important shipping point for river freight,
FAIRMOUNT, Lane County. Fairmount post office was established ​
June 10, 1891, with Lavinna E. Yeager first postmaster. John Lyndon Marsh became postmaster February 15, 1902, and the office was closed to Eugene February 20, 1904. Fairmount is one of those pleasant and popular descriptive names that can be and have been used without overworking the imagination. It has been applied to almost any sort of rise in ground, sometimes but a few feet higher than the surrounding land. The popularity of the name is attested by the fact that in 1945 there were well over a dozen post offices in the United States with the word Fairmount in some form, The Fairmount in Lane County was just east of Eugene, and during the time that John L. Marsh had the office it was what was in 1947, 1873 Franklin Boulevard, at the intersection of Villard (extended), within the present city limits of Eugene and a short distance east of the University of Oregon. The building was still standing in March, 1947, on the north side of Franklin Boulevard, which is the Pacific Highway.
FAIRVIEW, Coos County. Fairview is a locality or community on North Fork Coquille River about six miles northeast of Coquille. It does not now have a post office. The name is said to be descriptive. Fairview post office was established for the first time on May 7, 1873, with Francis Braden first postmaster. It was closed August 15, 1913. It was because of the Fairview post office in Coos County that an office of the same name could not be established in Multnomah County to handle the mail at Fairview railroad station just west of Troutdale. A distinct name was necessary for the Multnomah County situation, and Cleone was chosen, though the railroad continued to use the name Fairview for its station. After Fairview office in Coos County was closed, the name of Cleone office in Multnomah County was changed to Fairview in 1914.
FAIRVIEW, Multnomah County. The locality, Fairview, west of Troutdale, on the Columbia River, has also been known as Cleone. Fairview was adopted, in 1855, as the name of a Methodist Sunday school, organized in 1853. The late Stephen Roberts proposed the name, and it was adopted in preference to Mount Pisgah and Mount Pleasant. After the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company's line was built, about 1882, and a station was established, named Fairview, a confusion in mail matters ensued because an older Fairview existed in Coos County, Oregon. Milton Hosford proposed Cleone, which was accepted as the name of the post office, but the railroad adhered to the old station name Fairview. Cleone post office was established March 27, 1883, with Hosford postmaster. Differences over the name of the place were composed, probably due to the abandonment of the Coos County office of Fairview, and on January 14, 1914, the name of the office of Cleone was changed to Fairview. In 1927 Milton W. Smith of Portland told the compiler that it was his opinion that the community of Fairview was named in the early '80s by Mrs. Hannah M. Smith, who platted the townsite. Mrs. Smith was the widow of Hiram (Redshirt) Smith. This does not agree with the data given above, which is from Scott's History of the Oregon Country, volume II, page 313. A news item in the Oregonian, September 10, 1901, page 9, says the name Fairview had been in use about 45 years, and this seems to substantiate the Scott version. It is probable that Mrs. Smith merely adopted the old name for her town.
FALCON Rock, Tillamook County. Falcon Rock, elevation 15 feet, is in the Pacific Ocean a little less than a mile westward of Cape Falcon. ​
The rock got its name from Cape Falcon. For the origin of the name of the cape, see under CAPE FALCON. The rock is sometimes called Cape Falcon, but that form does not reflect the best usage, and is not the style used on the charts of the USC&GS. Fall CREEK, Deschutes County. Fall Creek heads in Green Lake east of South Sister, and flows south about four miles into Sparks Lake. It has a succession of falls and rapids, culminating in a fine drop of about 30 feet at a point about a half a mile north of Century drive. It gets its name from this fall, which is most attractive. Professor E. T. Hodge, in Mount Multnomah, pages 61 and 62, gives a good description of this stream and adjacent points of interest. Fall CREEK, Lane County. Fall Creek is a post office on the stream of the same name, which is tributary to Middle Fork Willamette River. Fall Creek post office is near the junction of Little Fall Creek and the main stream. The writer is told that many years ago the community was called Tay for the River Tay in Scotland, apparently by the Stuarts and other Scotch settlers in the neighborhood. James Stuart located there as early as 1853. Postal authorities inform the compiler that Tay post office was established August 9, 1880, with A. R. Randall first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Fall Creek on August 3, 1885, apparently at the request of T. C. Randall, then postmaster. The stream has been known in the past as Big Fall Creek in contradistinction to Little Fall Creek, a tributary, but federal mapping agencies nearly always drop the word Big from pairs of names of this sort, and consider the larger stream the main stem, with Little applied to the tributary. Fall RIVER, Deschutes County. Fall River heads in giant springs, and after flowing through pine woods for some eight or ten miles joins Deschutes River from the west, north of Pringle Falls. About half way between the source of the river and its mouth, it descends a series of small falls and cascades with a total drop of about a hundred feet. It was from these falls that it received its name. Falls City, Polk County. This town was named for the falls in Little Luckiamute River, which are near the west edge of the community. The name was proposed at the meeting which was held to initiate proceedings for incorporation. This place was originally served from a post office called Syracuse, situated between Dallas and the present site of Falls City. Syracuse postoffice was established in February, 1885, with Frank K. Hubbard first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Falls City in October, 1889, and the office was doubtless moved at that time. It is said that the name Falls City was suggested by a family that had previously lived in Falls City, Nebraska.
FALOMA, Multnomah County. This post office was north of Portland and served a community which was at one time known as Bridgeton. About 1921 the post office authorities were requested to establish an office there, but they objected to the name Bridgeton because of the duplication of other similar names in the United States. A meeting of local citizens was held and it was decided to ask to have the place named Faloma. This name was made up by using the initials of three original land owners in the neighborhood, to-wit: Messrs. Force, Love and Moore.
FANDANGO CANYON, Lake County. This canyon east of Silver Lake is named with the Spanish word for dance. The compiler has been unable to learn why. ​
FANGOLLANO, Malheur County. Charles J. Bush, postmaster of the nearby office of Harper, wrote the compiler in December, 1925, as follows: "Fangollano is the Spanish translation (fango llano) of Mud Flat, the name the locality bore before the post office was established. Those responsible for the later christening no doubt got their inspiration from hearing Spanish spoken by the Spanish and Basque sheepmen who are wont to graze their flocks nearby; and wishing to retain, I presume, something of the significance of the old name without advertising what they considered a certain obloquy that attached to it, they compromised on Fangollano. The post office at Fangollano is now discontinued." It should be noted that the Fangollano post office was at Little Mud Flat, which is six miles west of Mud Flat.
FANNO CREEK, Washington County. Fanno Creek takes its rise north of Garden Home, and after flowing westward turns sharp to the south and enters Tualatin River just north of Tualatin. It was named for Augustus Fanno, who settled on its bank in pioneer days. Augustus Fanno was born in Maine in 1804. He came to Oregon in 1846, with his wife and little son. Mrs. Fanno died on the arrival of the family at Oregon City, and after casting around for a home, Fanno selected a spot in Tualatin Valley on the trail from Oregon City to Tillamook Bay. This claim was about 12 miles from Oregon City, on what is now called Fanno Creek. He was married a second time, and died on his farm June 30, 1884..
FARADAY, Clackamas County. This is the station for the Cazadero power plant of the Portland General Electric Company, on Clackamas River. It was named by 0. B. Coldwell, vice-president of the company, for Michael Faraday, the great British scientist, who discovered the induction of electric currents.
FAREWELL BEND, Baker and Malheur counties. Farewell Bend on Snake River is where westbound immigrants turned northwestward from the river and took a pass through the hills to the present site of Huntington on Burnt River. Farewell Bend was named in the days of the pioneers. Today the Oregon Trail paved highway leaves Snake River at the same point and passes through the gap in the hills to Huntington. The geographic situation is the same as it was a century ago. Farewell Bend post office was in service from March 19, 1867, until November 19, 1867, with William H. Packwood postmaster. This post office is listed in the list for Baker County, but it was in operation before Malheur County was formed, and in fact its location may have been in what is now Malheur County, very close to the Baker County line. The location of Farewell Bend was also known as Olds Ferry, although the modern place of that name is on the Idaho side of Snake River. R. P. Olds began to operate a ferry at Farewell Bend as early as 1862, having obtained a license from authorities in what is now Idaho. His license to operate in Oregon was granted in March, 1865, although he had actually been in business for three years prior. See Hiatt's Thirty-one Years in Baker County, page 94. Packwood was also interested in the ferry at Farewell Bend and in the Burnt River toll road.
FARGHER, Sherman County. Fargher was a station not far from the east end of Sherars Bridge. It was named for Arthur W. Fargher, a near by land owner. He was born on the Isle of Man in 1855. He came to the United States in 1870 and to Oregon in 1878. He was at one time em end tails on ​teen ath the mer Fashion Mvi Fash; ployed by the predecessors of the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company.
FARLEY, Hood River County. This station, east of Cascade Locks, was formerly known as Herman for Herman Creek nearby. See under that heading. The name caused confusion with Sherman, a station east of The Dalles, and Farley was substituted in honor of a local resident.
FARM CREEK, Clackamas County. Farm Creek lies in township 7 south, range 6 east. It was named by Joe Davis, Jim Russell, Andy Wyland and Joe Dickey, who prospected and mined in that part of the county in the '80s. They found good horse feed at the head of Farm Creek and left their stock there to pasture, calling the place The Farm.
FARMINGTON, Washington County. Farmington, a place near Tualatin River eight or nine miles southwest of Beaverton, bears a descriptive name. The post office was established November 24, 1884, with Isaac B. Everson first of five postmasters. The office was closed December 23, 1904, with papers to Hillsboro. The locality is a well-known point on a secondary highway extending from Beaverton.
FASHION REEF, Multnomah County. Fashion Reef is in the Columbia River a little downstream from Multnomah Falls. It was probably named for the river steamer Fashion. This boat, the first on the middle river, was built with the name James P. Flint in 1851 by the Bradfords and Van Bergen at the Cascades. She was sunk in September, 1852, ap. parently on what is now known as Fashion Reef. She was raised in 1853 and taken to Vancouver, where she was renamed the Fashion and put back in service. See Wright's Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, pages 35 and 45. Whether the reef was named as the result of the grounding in 1852, or some later trouble, the compiler does not know, but thinks the first alternative the more probable.
FAUBION, Clackamas County. This post office was established late in 1925 and was named for a local family. The office is half a mile southeast of Zigzag ranger station, on the Mount Hood Loop Highway. W. J. Faubion was the first postmaster. He died in 1938.
FAWCETT CREEK, Tillamook County. This stream southeast of Tillamook was named for W. H. Fawcett, who took up a homestead nearby. His land office number is 997.
FELLERS, Marion County. This station south of Donald was named for the family of a pioneer settler on French Prairie, Francis Feller.
FENCE CREEK, Wallowa County. Fence Creek flows from the west into Imnaha River about six miles north of Imnaha. The stream takes its name from some stone fences built in the vicinity in very early days by A. C. Smith, one of the first white settlers in the Wallowa Valley. A news story about the activities of A. C. Smith appears in the Enterprise Chieftain for October 3, 1940. For biography of A. C. Smith see History of Union and Wallowa Counties, page 577.
FENNELL LAKE, Linn County. This small intermittent pond southeast of Jefferson was named for J. Fennell, an early settler. The spelling Fennel is wrong.
FERGUSON CREEK, Lane County. This stream flows into Long Tom River south of Monroe. It was named for a pioneer family. See OHQ, volume V, page 136.
FERN, Benton County. Fern post office was in operation from October, 1899, until September, 1903, with Edward L. Davis postmaster. ​
The office was on the Davis farm on the road between Philomath and Bellfountain, and got its name because of the fern-covered hill nearby. The Davis place was about four miles west of Greenberry.
FERNHILL, Clatsop County. Fernhill has been used as a locality name in Clatsop County for many decades. The place is about eight miles east of Astoria, close both to railroad and highway, Fern Hill post office was established October 24, 1879, with Mrs. Mary A. Dennis postmaster. This office was closed April 1, 1881. An office called Fernhill was established November 16, 1901, with Margaret Lewis first postmaster. This office was closed May 12, 1922, with papers to Svensen. The fern growth is heavy in that part of the state, especially on cleared land, and the name of the plant has been used frequently in geographic nomenclature. The most prolific fern in the locality of Fernhill is the eagle brake or bracken.
FERNVALE, Douglas County. Fernvale post ofhce was about four miles northeast of Glendale on Windy Creek. The office was established October 9, 1906, with Helma Nelson first postmaster, and operated until May 31, 1924. The locality has a descriptive name with a mildly sentimental touch.
FERRY, Curry County. The post office Ferry took its name from the early-day means of getting across Chetco River at a point about a mile up from the stream's mouth. The ferry was not far from the present Oregon Coast Highway bridge but the writer does not know the exact location. Ferry post office was established March 5, 1888, with Sarah E. Cooley first postmaster. The office was discontinued September 22, 1898, and the business turned over to Harbor post office.
FERRY, Wasco County. Ferry post office was named for the postmaster, William T. Ferry. The office was established October 26, 1912, and was at or near the place called Dillon, close to the Celilo Canal. The name of the office was changed to Dillon on April 8, 1914, and to Celilo on May 20, 1915. For information about the name Dillon, see under that heading. According to Judge Fred W. Wilson of The Dalles, Ferry at one time worked for the railroad and may have been employed on the construction of the Celilo Canal. He was a man of considerable clerical ability.
FERRY CREEK, Coos County. Ferry Creek is south of the town of Coos Bay and east of Delmar. In August, 1943, Mrs. Mary M. Randleman of Coquille wrote the compiler that the stream was named for the Ferry family, pioneer settlers, and not for a ferryboat.
FERRY CREEK, Coos County. This stream flows into Coquille River near Bandon. According to information from Mrs. Emma Drane, a pioneer resident of the locality, John Lewis operated a ferry on Coquille River near the mouth of this stream in 1870, and the creek took its name from the ferry. The style Fairy Creek is wrong according to Mrs. Drane. There was, however, an earlier ferry at this locality, mentioned by William V. Wells in a story of experience in southwest Oregon in Harper's Magazine, October, 1856, page 595, describing conditions in October, 1855. Wells says the scow ferry was operated by a Yankee and an Englishman and was "for man and beast." There is nothing to indicate that Ferry Creek was named for the first ferry.
FIDDLE CREEK, Lane and Douglas counties. Fiddle Creek heads in the Coast Range and flows westward into Silicoos Lake. The origin ​
of the name is unusual, but certainly not improbable. In December, 1942, Millard Martin, postmaster at Ada, wrote the compiler that about 1894 two men passed through the neighborhood on the way from North Fork Smith River to the Siuslaw country with the intention of buying cattle. One of the men had the misfortune of breaking his leg, and the two were forced to retire to a cabin about a half mile from the present site of Ada post office and wait for the injury to heal. This made a long and tiresome wait, and the injured man wished repeatedly for his fiddle to help him pass the time. This expressed desire caused the nearby stream to be called Fiddle Creek. .
FIELDER CREEK, Jackson County. This creek and Fielder Mountain west of Evans Creek, were named for Thomas Fielder, a pioneer settler.
FIELDS, Lane County. Fields, a station on the Cascade line of the Southern Pacific Company, was named for two members of the Lewis and Clark party, Joseph and Reuben Fields. It is sometimes said that Fields station was named for L. R. Fields, for many years an operating official of the railroad company in Oregon, but such is not the case, as is shown by the company records.
FIELDS, Harney County. Charles Fields took up a homestead where Fields post office is now situated. He established a "station and kept the travel and freight haulers." He sold out to John Smyth in 1911, and when the post office was established in 1913, Smyth had it named for Fields.
FIELDS PEAK, Grant County. This peak, elevation 7360 feet, and Fields Creek nearby were named for Harvey Fields, a pioneer stockman. Fields Peak is about eight miles southwest of Mount Vernon.
FIFE, Crook County. Fife is in the southeast part of the county. The compiler is informed that the place was named for the county of Fife, Scotland, former home of the first postmaster. This postmaster was Thomas Balfour. The office was established May 17, 1890.
FIFTEENMILE CREEK, Lake County. Fifteenmile Creek was so named because the old road crossed it about that distance northeast of Fort Bidwell, California. The stream heads east of Goose Lake and flows southeast nearly to the California state line, where it receives the waters of Twelvemile Creek. It flows east and north and flows into Twentymile Creek. The flow from these streams eventually reaches the Warner Valley,
FIFTEENMILE CREEK, Wasco County. This is the stream that flows through Dufur, and it received its name in pioneer days because the road from The Dalles crossed it about 15 miles from The Dalles. The road also crossed Fivemile Creek and Eightmile Creek before it reached Fifteenmile Creek. The Dalles-California Highway extends along all of these streams between The Dalles and Dufur. The three streams combine before they flow into the Columbia, and the name Fifteenmile Creek follows through to the Columbia, even though at its mouth it is only about four miles from The Dalles. The mouth of Fifteenmile Creek is at Seufert, and there is a substantial concrete viaduct carrying the Columbia River Highway over the creek at that point, known as Seufert Viaduct. Old maps show Fifteenmile Creek as Nansene Creek, and there was once a community of that name in Wasco County, but the compiler has been unable to secure inforination about the word Nansene. This is probably the same stream mentioned by Fremont on November 25, 1843, as Tinanens Creek. Nansene post office was established May 17, 1880, with William C. Adams first postmaster. The office has been discontinued. ​
Fin Roberts CREEK, Lane County. This is a tributary of Salt Creek east of Oakridge. It was named for one Fin Roberts, who it is said, resembled the creek in that he was always dry.
FINDLEY BUTTES, Wallowa County. The Findley Buttes are in the Wallowa Valley between Enterprise and Imnaha. They are named for Florence Findley who took up a homestead there in the '80s. These buttes are sometimes known as Brumback Buttes for N. W. Brumback, a nearby settler, but Findley Buttes is the older name and in the opinion of the writer, the correct one. Florence Findley married J. J. Johnson, an old settler. There was an early day post office near the Findley Buttes called Joy, because nearby settlers were so happy to get mail service.
FINDLEY CREEK, Wallowa County. Findley Creek flows west into Imnaha River near Imnaha. It was named for the Findley family. See under FINDLEY BUTTES.
FINGERBOARD GULCH, Wallowa County. This gulch and Fingerboard Saddle where it heads are in the southeast part of township 3 north, range 49 east. The gulch drains into Cow Creek, and it is named for a wooden fingerboard that was nailed to a tree at the beginning of the trail up the stream. This trail was used to go eastward to the James Tryon place in the early '80s, according to J. H. Horner of Enterprise.
FINGERBOARD PRAIRIE, Lane County. This prairie owes its name to the fact that for many years there was a signboard nearby cut in the shape of a pointing finger. Fingerboard Prairie is about six miles northeast of Belknap Springs.
FINLEY, Wallowa County. Finley post office was established September 11, 1913, with Virgil T. Floch postmaster, but the office was short lived and was closed November 30, 1914, at which time John E. Jackson was postmaster. The office was in section 36, township 1 north, range 46 east, about 15 miles northeast of Enterprise. It was intended that the office should be named for the Findley Buttes nearby but somewhere along the line the letter "d" was dropped, presumably in error. Finn Rock, Lane County. Finn Rock is a peculiar formation on McKenzie River not far from the mouth of Finn Creek. The rock resembles a shark's fin but was not named on that account but instead for Benjamin F. Finn, an early settler. Finn Creek was named for the same reason.
FINNEY AND EGAŃ Lake, Marion County. Old plats show James Finney and W. H. Egan as nearby landowners, and the lake was apparently named for them. It is southwest of Waconda.
FINZER, Marion County. Finzer is about five miles southwest of Salem and is a station on the Oregon Electric Railway. It was named for William E. Finzer, at one time adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard. The state had a rifle range at this station, which was named Finzer on that account. Fir, Hood River County. Information about Fir post office is not contained in the available records of Hood River County, yet the office is known to have been in service about 1915. It was in section 6, township 1 north, range 11 east, approximately four miles southeast of Odell near Neal Creek, and was named for the fir forests in the locality. Fir, Washington County. Fir was the name of a post office in the valley of Gales Creek not far south from the 1945 location of the Glenwood office. In other words it was about four miles northwest of the town ​of Gales Creek. The office of Fir was established with the name Bateman on June 30, 1890, with Clara J. Collins postmaster. It was named in compliment to an early settler of the locality, whose name has been perpetuated in the Bateman store which is also about four miles northwest of Gales Creek office. On April 27, 1891, the name of the office Bateman was changed to Fir and it operated with the name until October 9, 1900. Clara J. Collins continued as postmaster through the life of Fir post office. The compiler does not know the exact origin of the name of Fir post office. It may have been named for the trees which grow so vigorously in the locality, or it may have been suggested by the name of Fir Creek, a small stream flowing east from the Coast Range to join Gales Creek just southeast of the Bateman store. Fir Creek School is situated on the creek at the toe of the foothills on a side road about two miles northwest of the town of Gales Creek. For information about the varieties of firs growing in Oregon, see under Firwood.
Fire Spring, Klamath County. On July 29, 1938, the men fighting a forest fire in the Cascade Range west of Chemult found this spring in the southwest quarter of section 26, township 27 south, range 61/2 east. This was the only available water supply except that carried in by airplane, and in the circumstances, it was called Fire Spring. The name has been approved by the USBGN.
Firholm, Polk County. Firholm post office was very close to the place called Elk Horn. Elk Horn office, with Thomas R. Blair postmaster, was closed October 4, 1882. Nathan Blair, son of Thomas, decided to petition for the reestablishment of postal facilities in the locality. It was planned to use a small shop near the Blair home, and as there were some prominent fir trees close by, the name Firholm was suggested for the new office. Firholm was established April 8, 1883, with Nathan Blair postmaster. This office was closed July 9, 1883.
First Creek, Linn County. This stream is the first tributary of South Santiam River from the north, east of Lebanon, and is named on that account. It has also been known as Calloway Creek, but federal mapping agencies use the style First Creek.
First Lake, Linn County. First Lake is one of a series of four on the east bank of the Willamette River north of Albany. These lakes are named in order from Albany north. First Lake is the one nearest the city.
Firwood, Clackamas County. Firwood is a nice descriptive name, and considering the enormous quantity of firs in Oregon, it is remarkable that there are not more geographic names with "fir" in them. There are many Pine creeks and Cedar creeks, but few Fir creeks. Firwood is a community near the Mount Hood Loop Highway southeast of Sandy. It has been so called for many years.
The fir is Oregon's most important forest growth. These trees may be divided into two classes, the Douglas fir, and the Balsam firs. The Douglas fir is also known as the Douglas spruce, and its botanical name is Pseudotsuga taxifolia. It is not of the fir family, but is a false hemlock, as its name indicates. It was discovered and named by the great botanist David Douglas. He was the first person so far known to have used the name Cascade Range. See under that heading for information about the matter. The Douglas fir is of great commercial importance in Oregon. The Balsam firs are the true firs, and there are six that are of interest to ​Oregonians. They are much alike, and are frequently confused even by people familiar with the woods. Their names are often mixed, and colloquial expressions such as red fir, yellow fir and Oregon fir are employed in attempts to describe them to the uninitiated. Probably the most important of the six Oregon species are the noble fir, Abies nobilis and silver fir, Abies amabalis. These two trees, particularly the former, are generally called larch by lumbermen. They are very important commercially. Abies lasiocarpa, or alpine fir, is small and not so important. The lowland white fir, Abies grandis, and the white fir, Abies concolor are important lumber producers, and are generally known as the white fir. The red fir of California, Abies magnifica also grows in Oregon, together with its variety shastensis. With the exception of the California sequoias, the firs of Oregon are the most magnificent of our forest trees, and attain heights of over 300 feet. Diameters of ten feet are not uncommon. For detailed descriptions of the species mentioned above, together with their ranges, see Sudworth's Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope, and Mathews' Field Book of American Trees.
Firwood, Columbia County, Firwood was named for its natural, rustic surroundings. The post office was on or near Clatskanie River about ten miles southeast and upstream from Clatskanie. A contemporary map shows the office in the extreme south part of township 7 north, range 4 west, but a recent army map shows Fir Wood school in the next township to the east. The post office may have been moved from time to time, and in fact been in both locations in its career. The post office with the name Firwood, was established February 14, 1917, with Percy A. Frazer first of three postmasters. The office was discontinued May 31, 1918, with mail to Clatskanie.
Fischer Island, Benton County. Fischer Island is the lower part of a land-area in Willamette River upstream from Corvallis. The upper part is Stahlbusch Island. Fischer is the correct spelling and not Fisher. The Fischer Flouring Mill Company owned the land. Fisher, Lincoln County. Fisher post office is named for a small fur bearing animal, colloquially known as the fisher, but more properly the marten. There are three important members of the Musteline carnia vores, to-wit: beech marten, pine marten and American marten or sable. Fisher post office was established March 19, 1892. It has not always been in its present location. It is reported that Bennett Olsen suggested the name. Martin Johanson was the first postmaster, and J. W. Mink, later held the office. Remarkable nomenclature.
Fisher Creek, Lane County. Fisher Creek is a tributary of North Fork Willamette River and was named for a pioneer cattleman who grazed stock nearby.
Fishhawk Creek, Clatsop and Columbia counties. There are two streams called Fishhawk Creek tributary to Nehalem River from the north. One of these streams flows into the river in the extreme west part of Columbia County, The other flows in at Jewell. These streams were named because of incidents connected with the many fishhawks in Oregon and it is surprising that more streams have not been named for them. Ernest E. Hogberg was appointed postmaster at Fishhawk, Columbia County, on January 17, 1890, and he held the office until it was discontinued August 15, 1910. It was at, or very close to, the mouth of this stream near the extreme west edge of Columbia County. The area ​is now served by Birkenfeld post office. On February 14, 1917, another post office, this time called Fish Hawk in two words, was established in the east part of Clatsop County. Florence M. Bennett was the postmaster but her tenure was short. The office was ordered discontinued September 22, 1917. This office was doubtless on a short section of Fishhawk Creek that loops into eastern Clatsop County.
FISHTRAP CREEK, Coos County. This is a tributary of Coquille River between Coquille and Myrtle Point. It was named because Indians had many traps for catching salmon here in pioneer days.
Fisks, Grant County. According to R. R. McHaley in a letter published in the Canyon City Eagle, March 7, 1947, Fisks was about a half mile north of the present site of Austin. The place was named for D. Walter Fisk, who owned a station there. Fisks post office was established November 29, 1905, with Sarah P. Cecil first and only postmaster. The office was closed July 14, 1906, with mail to Austin.
FIVEMILE CREEK, Coos County. Fivemile Creek is a little south of Cape Arago and flows into Pacific Ocean. The stream was named during the Coos County gold rush of 1853-55 because it was thought to be about five miles north of the mining town of Randolph on Whisky Run. The distance is in fact about four miles, but it doubtless seemed more to the tired gold seekers.
FIVEMILE CREEK, Douglas County. This creek flows into Tahkenitch Lake. It was so named because it is about five miles long.
FIVEMILE CREEK, Wasco County. This stream was so named because the pioneer road from The Dalles into central Oregon crossed it about five miles from town. Fivemile Creek and Eightmile Creek join, and about a mile and a half from the junction the combined stream, Eightmile Creek, flows into Fifteenmile Creek. For information about the names of this group of streams see under FIFTEENMILE CREEK.
FIVEMILE POINT, Coos County. This point was named by George Davidson of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey because it was thought to be about five miles south of Cape Arago. It was suggested to navi. gators as a range point from Cape Arago. See Coast Pilot for 1889.
FIVEMILE Rapids, Wasco County. These great rapids of the Columbia River were named by U. S. Engineers because of their distance east from the boat landing at The Dalles. They form a part of The Dalles of the Columbia, and were formerly known as the Long Narrows, The Dalles and The Great Dalles. See under THE DALLES in this book and article in OHQ, March, 1926, page 115. Part of Fivemile Rapids is in the state of Washington.
Flag ISLAND, Multnomah County. This little island is on the south side of the Columbia River about midway between Troutdale and Corbett station, just upstream from Gary Island. It has been named Flag Island by USBGN because it was in this vicinity that Lieutenant W. R. Broughton of the Royal Navy raised the British flag on October 30, 1792. The name was suggested by J. Neilson Barry of Portland, in 1929.
FLAGG, Lane County. Flagg is a station west of Eugene on the Southern Pacific Company line to Coos Bay. It was named for L. Randolph Flagg, who was a member of the contracting firm that built the railroad.
FLAGSTONE Rock, Douglas County. In 1939 field officers of the Forest ​Service recommended that a prominent unnamed rocky, barren point in section 23, township 28 south, range 1 east, be named Flagstone Rock because of its appearance. The name was approved by the USBGN. Flagstone Creek is named because it heads near the rock.
FLAGTAIL MOUNTAIN, Grant County. This mountain was named because of the large number of flagtail deer that formerly grazed in the vicinity. It is about 20 miles southwest of Canyon City.
FLANAGAN, Wasco County. Flanagan, a community and post office on the east side of Deschutes River six or seven miles east of Maupin was named for a local family. Flanagan post office was established in October, 1905, with John Flanagan first postmaster, and operated until March, 1912.
FLATIRON POINT, Douglas County. Flatiron Point is a descriptive name used by the Forest Service to describe a very prominent pointed plateau that lies just south of the junction of North Umpqua River and Fish Creek. The point is about 20 miles northwest of Diamond Lake and is remarkable for its flat top and steep sides. The point is toward the north.
FLAVEL, Clatsop County. Named for Captain George Flavel, who once owned the land on which the community is situated. In 1892 ambitious schemes were put on foot to build a railroad from Salem to Flavel, and the townsite concern, the Flavel Land and Development Company, laid plans for a big terminal to rival Astoria. In 1897, a fine hotel was built, which enjoyed a short season of social gaiety, but Astoria was too strongly entrenched for the rival community, which so far has not made the expected development. Silas B. Smith says that the name of the Clatsop Indian village at what is now Flavel was Konapee.
FLEETWOOD, Lake County. Fleetwood, a post office in the north part of the Fort Rock Valley, came as a result of the homesteading movement into that part of Oregon. The office was established September 25, 1913, and operated until June 31, 1928, with Helen A. Fleet postmaster. The name was coined from the family name.
FLETTS, Gilliam County. George W. Flett was an early settler on Rock Creek on the east edge of what is now Gilliam County at a point a few miles northeast of Gwendolen. He had a post office established with the name Flettville on November 4, 1881, which was operated until February 25, 1884, with Flett postmaster. Another office called Fletts was established May 5, 1884, with Orlando Rowland postmaster. D. F. Stricklin and Henry M. Pitman were later postmasters. The office was closed on April 12, 1888. Charles E. Stricklin, Oregon State Engineer, was reared in these parts and on December 24, 1945, he wrote the compiler as follows: "Apparently the post office was moved around. When my father was postmaster, a bedroom in the residence was used. During Mr. Flett's tenure as postmaster, he erected a small building in front of his residence which was used as a post office. When Mr. Flett was postmaster, the post office was located in the vicinity of the Flett School, but at that time there was no school there and the post office was across Rock Creek from where the school is now situated."
FLICKBAR, Baker County. Flickbar post office was established on the Baker County list on May 3, 1897, with James Grant first postmaster. The office was discontinued in April, 1899. Flickbar sounds like the name of a five-cent slab of candy, but an investigation made by LeRoy ​A. Grettum of Baker in December, 1945, indicates that was not the source of the title. According to Mr. Grettum, Flickbar was about ten miles up Snake River from Robinette, just north of Quicksand Creek and between the old stations Titus and Park. A man named Flick owned a ranch there and did some placer mining on a bar in Snake River, When the post office was established, it was named in compliment to Flick and his gravel bar. Irving L. Rand of Portland informs the compiler that it is his understanding that the geographic feature called Flicks Bar was on the Idaho side of Snake River and not in Oregon.
FLORA, Wallowa County. Flora is a post office in the extreme north part of Wallowa County. It was named for the daughter of the first postmaster in that district, A. D. Buzzard. This information was given the compiler by N. J. Hansen, postmaster at Flora in 1925. He wrote that the name was applied in the fall of 1890.
FLORAS CREEK, Curry County. Floras Creek is a well-known stream in the north end of the county, flowing into the Pacific Ocean north of Cape Blanco. About 1910 William H. Packwood told the compiler that in the summer of 1852 he was a member of Lieutenant H. W. Stanton's command which was ordered to cut a trail from Fort Orford up Rogue River to the Rogue River Valley. They had with them a civilian named Fred Flora, who had been engaged in mining near the coast and Floras Creek was named for him. An editorial in the Curry County Reporter, printed in 1939, mentions this man, but spells his name Fred Florey. It says that Florey had opened up a trail along Floras Creek before 1855. It seems possible that miners from California, who were familiar with Spanish, changed the spelling from Floreys Creek to Floras Creek. The compiler has never seen any evidence that Floras Creek was named for the pilot of a Spanish expedition along the coast. Martin de Aguilar is said to have had a pilot named Flores, but there is nothing to show that his expedition ever saw Oregon.
FLORENCE, Lane County. Florence is on the north bank of Siuslaw River near the mouth. The town is said to have been named for A. B. Florence, who was a member of the state senate at the sessions of 1858, 1859 and 1860, representing Lane County. According to another story (Oregonian, October 7, 1903, by Lionel Johnson), the town was named for a French vessel, wrecked about 1873, at the mouth of Siuslaw River. There are several versions of the ship story, dealing with various ships of different nationalities. A board bearing the painted name of one of these ships is said to have been on display at Florence for many years.
FLOUNCE Rock, Jackson County. Flounce Rock is a peculiar geological formation north of Rogue River between Trail and Prospect. It bears a fancied resemblance to the flounces on a woman's dress. It was so named at a time when flounces were worn, by Hiram Abbott, a pioneer resident of the neighborhood.
FLOURNOY VALLEY, Douglas County. Flournoy Valley, a couple of miles west of Lookingglass, was named for H. B. Flournoy, who settled there in 1850. Fort Flournoy blockhouse was built in the valley in 1855. See Walling's History of Southern Oregon, page 419.
FOLEY, Tillamook County. A post office with the name Folley was established near Foley Creek on June 7, 1888, with Frank Worthington first postmaster. This office was out of service for a short time in the latter part of 1893. The name of the office was changed to Foley on ​
December 27, 1894, and that is the way it remained until it was closed by an order dated July 13, 1906, and effective July 31, 1906.
FOLEY CREEK, Tillamook County. This stream is east of Nehalem Bay. Miss Lucy E. Doughty of Bay City wrote the compiler in 1927 that the search for the origin of this name had led to a story to the effect that when the first white people settled in that part of the country they found a cabin that had evidently been built by a white man. When the Indians were asked about it, the whites were informed that it had been constructed by a man named Foley. Who Foley was, whence he came, whither he went, is apparently unknown.
FOLEY SLOUGH, Harney County. This is a part of Silvies River east of Burns. It was named for an early settler, J. C. Foley.
FOLEY SPRINGS, Lane County. Walling, in History of Lane County, page 466, says that Foley Springs were first discovered by William Hanley and William Vick. In 1865 a man named Alexander settled on the premises and in 1870 a Dr. Foley purchased the springs and opened them to the public under the name Bethesda Hot Springs. Lane County records seem to show that what Dr. Foley bought from Alexander was not more than a squatter's rights, for Abram A. Foley received a patent from the government for the property. It was dated March 30, 1882, and filed for record November 30, 1889. Dr. Foley operated the springs for nine years, when they passed into the hands of Henry Hill, who sold out to Peter Runey in 1882. Runey made extensive improvements and got a post office, which was called Foleysprings in compliment to Dr. Foley. Postal authorities spelled the name as one word, but ordinary mortals used the style Foley Springs. The water is hot, about 188 degrees, rendering the baths very agreeable when adequately tempered.
FOLLYFARM, Malheur County. This post office was formerly on the extreme east edge of Harney County, and received its name because of the farming operations of J. H. Neal, who attempted to irrigate land in adverse conditions. Neal, unlike many persons in similar circumstances, possessed a sense of humor, and called his place Neal's Folly, which subsequently became Folly Farm. The post office was established about 1909, and Neal suggested the name of his farm for the name of the office, and the authorities promptly accepted it, as being distinctive and non-duplicating, but coupled it into one word. Dorcas N. Neal was first postmaster. The office was later moved a short distance eastward to a road junction on the west edge of Malheur County. Foots CREEK, Jackson County. Walling, in History of Southern Oregon, page 379, says this stream was named for 0. G. Foot, a miner who prospected along the creek in early days. Foots Creek flows into Rogue River from the south a few miles west of Gold Hill. The community at the mouth of Foots Creek has been known as Bolt since pioneer days. A post office called Foots Creek was in operation near this stream from April, 1878, until July, 1879, with Silas Draper postmaster. The writer does not know the exact location of the office, but Draper was interested in mining on the upper reaches of the creek and the office may have been near what was later known as Draper. See under that heading.
FORCE LAKE, Multnomah County. This overflow lake on the south bank of the Columbia River south of the east end of Hayden Island was named for George W. Force, a pioneer settler. caumig ​
FOREST, Klamath County. This post office is said to have been named for the fine stand of timber adjacent. The compiler is quite prepared to believe the statement. In 1902 the pine forests of the vicinity must have been magnificent. Forest post office was about seven miles west of Keno on the old Ashland road. It was just east of Spencer Creek. Forest post office was established May 20, 1902, with Nathan S. High first postmaster. The office was discontinued to Keno, March 4, 1908. Forest post office was about three miles northeast of a later office called Wampus. Both places were on the old Pokegama-Klamath Falls freight and stage road as well as on the road to Ashland. Both probably owed a good share of their existence to the business between Klamath Falls and Pokegama.
FOREST CROSSING, Crook County. Forest Crossing of Crooked River is at the south end of Lone Pine Flat just north of O'Neil, in the extreme northwest corner of the county. The locality was named for Francis Forest, who was born in Polk County, Oregon, in 1857, and settled in Crook County in 1876. For biography, see Illustrated History of Central Oregon, page 784.
FOREST GROVE, Washington County. At a meeting of the trustees of Tualatin Academy (Pacific University), January 10, 1851, the name Forest Grove was adopted for the community. The name Vernon was first proposed and rejected. J. Quinn Thornton moved to adopt the name Forest Grove and the motion was passed. Previously that part of the county was known as West Tualatin Plain. It seems probable that the name Forest Grove was the idea of Thornton himself. Thornton arrived at his homestead in the Willamette Valley in November, 1846, and he named his claim Forest Grove. See Thornton's Oregon and California in 1848, volume I, page 239. The words Forest Grove seem to have stuck in his mind. Postal authorities inform the compiler that Tualatin post office was established February 1, 1850, with David Hill first postmaster. The name was changed to Forest Grove on December 31, 1858. David Hill was the founder of Hillsboro, and information about him will be found under that heading. The compiler has been unable to learn why Hill was postmaster of a community apparently situated several miles away. However, post offices were frequently moved considerable distances in pioneer days. Tualatin post office was just south of the present site of Forest Grove. For early history of Forest Grove by Fred Lockley, see Oregon Sunday Journal, March 22, 1931.
FORT BAILEY, Josephine ounty. This was one of the camps or so-called forts used in the campaign against the Rogue River Indians in 1855-56. Data about its location are conflicting, but the statement by Victor, in Early Indian Wars of Oregon, page 368, is probably correct. It is to the effect that the fort was five miles south of Cow Creek. That means that it was on Wolf Creek, at or close to the present community of Wolf Creek. It was apparently named for Captain Joseph Bailey of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers. Bailey was from Eugene. Fort Bailey is sometimes described as at Grave Creek, but Fort Leland is known to have been the post at that place.
FORT BIRDSEYE; Jackson County. Fort Birdseye was one of the stockades used by the settlers during the Rogue River Indian uprising of 1855-56. It was on the south bank of Rogue River near the mouth of Birdseye Creek, at the David Birdseye place. In 1856 some of the logs from the stockade were used to build the Birdseye cabin. A D.A.R. ​
marker has been placed on the south side of the Pacific Highway at the site of the stockade. When Rogue River Valley settlers gathered in one of these stockades, they called it "forting up." Fort Briggs, Josephine County. In January, 1944, James T. Chinnock of Grants Pass wrote the compiler as follows: "Fort Briggs was on the George E. Briggs donation land claim in section 35, township 39 south, range 8 west, near Sucker Creek. This was a log house in the Illinois Valley at which settlers gathered during the Rogue River War of 1855-56. Briggs was a pioneer settler."
FORT CLATSOP, Clatsop County. This was the first military establishment to be built in Oregon, and it served as the Lewis and Clark winter-quarters for 1805-06. The various factors which influenced the selection of a locality for winter-quarters are mentioned in ThwaitesOriginal Journal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, volume III, page 246, et seq. The men were allowed to vote on the location. Lewis made a reconnaissance, and on December 5, 1805, rejoined Clark, reporting that he had found a good situation. Construction of a stockade about 50 feet square was started at once. This was built around seven cabins. On January 1, 1806, Captain Lewis recorded in his orderly book that the fort was completed, and the first orders for its operation and security were officially issued on that date. The name Fort Clatsop is not given in the orders, but appears later in the journals. The party left the fort on the return trip at 1 P.M., Sunday, March 23, 1806. On March 20, Lewis wrote: "we have lived quite as comfortable as we had any reason to expect we should." The site of Fort Clatsop, three acres of land, is now owned by the Oregon Historical Society and is marked. It is about three-quarters of a mile south of the Oregon Coast Highway, just west of Lewis and Clark River and is easily accessible by road. Postal records show that Fort Clatsop post office was established November 10, 1852, with Thos.W. Shane first postmaster. Carlos W. Shane was a prominent pioneer of this locality, and it is possible that the authorities misread his name and put it down Thos. Franklin Shane became postmaster on February 18, 1854. The office was discontinued on February 15, 1855. The office was in service again with other postmasters from March, 1876, to September, 1881. The name of the office established in 1852 is very indistinct in early postal records, and may in fact be Port Clatsop. In view of the fact that the Shanes lived at Fort Clatsop and also in view of the name used for the office in 1876, the compiler thinks that the style Fort Clatsop is correct. The locality could hardly be called a port.
FORT DALLES, Wasco County. Fort Dalles was a regular military post used during various Indian disturbances from 1850 to 1866. It was situated on Mill Creek, in the west part of the community of The Dalles, and before it was abandoned, it had developed into a commodious post. Fort Lee was established at The Dalles in the fall of 1847 at the time of the Cayuse War, but it had nothing to do with Fort Dalles. In May of 1850 Colonel W. W. Loring, then stationed at Vancouver, sent two companies of the Mounted Rifles to The Dalles to establish a supply depot. Heitman, in the Historical Register, says the post was first called Camp Drum. This was apparently to commemorate Captain Simon Henry Drum, who was killed in the assault on the City of Mexico, September 13, 1847. For information about Fort Dalles, see Illustrated History of Central Oregon, pages 102-105. The first buildings were of logs, but some ​
of them burned, and the post was reconstructed in 1856-57, rather elaborately. A Captain Thomas Jordan had charge of the new construction. There is no record of any fortifications or defenses, either before or after the reconstruction. The reservation at first very large, was finally reduced to 640 acres, with the northeast corner at the mouth of Mill Creek. In 1905 the Old Fort Dalles Historical Society secured possession of the only remaining building, the Surgeon's quarters. This building is now used by the society as a museum and is visited by a great many people each year. It was built in 1858 and its design gives a good idea of Fort Dalles after the development of 1856-57.
FORT FLOURNOY, Douglas County. Fort Flournoy was a settlers defense blockhouse built in the Flournoy Valley in 1855. It was never actually used. Walling, in his History of Southern Oregon, page 419, says the structure was built of hewn logs, about 18 feet square, with the superstructure about 28 feet square. This was a typical method of blockhouse construction. The building was still standing in 1883 a couple of miles west of Lookingglass.
FORT GEORGE, Clatsop County. The North West Company took over Astoria and the Astor enterprise in October, 1813, and the Astor post was named Fort George, presumably in compliment to King George III. Franchere says that the bargain for the transfer was signed on October 23, 1813, but he does not say that the name was changed on that date. Captain William Black of the British sloop of war Racoon was in the Columbia River in December and pulled down the American flag on December 12 or 13. In his report to the Admiralty Black says that he named the post Fort George. Fort George was technically returned to the United States October 6, 1818, but continued as a British post. Americans revived Astoria many years later. The compiler has been unable to find any contemporaneous record that the Astorians used the expression Fort Astor. They referred to the post as Astoria. Franchere says the Northwesters planned to move the factory to Tongue Point, but this was not done. A diagram of Fort George as of 1818 is on file at the Oregon Historical Society and shows it to be a substantial installation, more than 150 by 200 feet, with a stockade and other defenses. A note on the diagram shows that the original Astoria establishment was about 75 by 110 feet, apparently not fortified. In 1930 workmen excavating in Astoria found remains of the stockade, probably the north wall, running from Fifteenth to Sixteenth streets, between Duane and Exchange streets. A plan of the fort has been painted on the sidewalks and pavements in this vicinity.
FORT HARNEY, Harney County. During the Indian outbreaks of the '60s, there were a number of army camps in southeast Oregon, but most of them were temporary. It seems to have been the plan of the authorities to make Fort Harney something more permanent. However, the place was a fort in name only if evidence can be relied on. Fort Harney was established August 16, 1867, and was first called Camp Steele. On September 14, 1867, the name was changed to Fort Harney in compliment to Major-General W. S. Harney. See under HARNEY COUNTY. The post was near the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek and about two miles east of north of what was later the community of Harney. In 1864 troops had been in this vicinity at a place called Rattlesnake Camp. In January, 1944, Archie McGowan of Burns wrote the compiler: "A portable ​sawmill was established in the timber north of the fort and extra good pine lumber was cut and practically all of the buildings were built of this lumber. There never were many of them, probably two small houses for officers, a barracks, some sheds or barns with log corrals for the horses. I can remember as a boy seeing some of those logs still lying around the corral, but the houses were all torn down and moved away by the settlers just as soon as the fort was abandoned. I have been told there was really no stockade." The Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, page 633, says Fort Harney was abandoned June 14, 1880. It seems to have been used in the Indian disturbances of 1878. By order of the president, the Fort Harney military reserve of 640 acres was created January 28, 1876, but on September 13, 1882, this was reduced to 320 acres. The compiler has a statement from the late J. J. Donegan of Burns to the effect that the rest of the reserve was restored to public entry March 2, 1889, "and the fort was abandoned." War Department records say that the soldiers marched out June 13, 1880, and Donegan's statement means that the land was abandoned as military property in 1889. A post office with the name Camp Harney was established August 10, 1874, with William T. Stevens first postmaster. The writer has been unable to learn why postal authorities did not use the official name as adopted by the War Department. The name of the office was changed to Harney September 16, 1885, with Robert J. Ives postmaster. The office was doubtless moved to the new community at that time.
Fort Hayes, Josephine County. Fort Hayes was a gathering place for settlers during the Rogue River War of 1855–56 and was close to what is now the Redwood Highway southwest of Grants Pass. Walling, in his History of Southern Oregon, page 452, says that Fort Hayes was at the Thornton place, about nine miles north of Kerby. James T. Chinnock of Grants Pass is of the opinion that the fort was near the south end of Hayes Hill, probably at what is also known as Anderson Station. The compiler has not been able to get more definite information. Members of the Hayes family were early settlers in the Illinois Valley and the fort was named for them.
Fort Henrietta, Umatilla County. Fort Henrietta was built by a detachment of the First Oregon Mounted Rifles under the command of Major Mark A. Chinn in November, 1855, in the Yakima War. Chinn named the fortified post Fort Henrietta, in compliment to the wife of Major Granville O. Haller of the United States Army. The fort was a stockade one hundred feet square, built of large split timbers, with two bastions of round logs, and an outside stock corral enclosed with rails found on the ground. See Victor's Early Indian Wars of Oregon, page 439. Fort Henrietta was near the west bank of Umatilla River not far from the present (1942) site of the Catholic Church in the town of Echo. Statements that the fort was near Well Spring do not seem to be substantiated by the records.
Fort Hill, Polk County. Fort Hill, just northeast of Valley Junction, was named because Willamette Valley settlers built a blockhouse on its summit in 1855–56. The federal government sent troops to this place and established Fort Yamhill on August 30, 1856. See under Fort Yamhill for additional information. The blockhouse was later moved to Grand Ronde Agency and still later to Dayton and set up in a public park.
Fort Hoskins, Benton County. Data about most of the early military establishments in Oregon are neither plentiful nor accurate, but fortunately there is a good account of the history and physical facts of Fort Hoskins. This information is in an article by Colonel Oscar W. Hoop, U.S.A., with the title "History of Fort Hoskins, 1856-65," in OHQ, volume XXX, page 346. Fort Hoskins was established as the result of the concentration of Indians at Siletz Agency and was named in honor of Lieutenant Charles Hoskins who was killed in the battle of Monterrey, Mexico, September 21, 1846. Captain Christopher C. Augur, Fourth Infantry, and his command reached Kings Valley July 25, 1856, and according to army records printed in OHQ, volume XXXVI, page 59, Fort Hoskins was established the next day. It was on Luckiamute River near the mouth of what is now known as Bonner Creek, probably on land owned by Rowland Chambers, later by Franz. Later in the year Lieutenant P. H. Sheridan began to build a road or trail from the fort over the Coast Range to the Siletz country. Augur's selection of the site for the fort was not approved by Brigadier-General John E. Wool, his superior, and there was a good deal of controversy. Augur stuck to his guns and the fort stayed where it was until it was evacuated April 13, 1865. A blockhouse was built in the Siletz country, but there was also a squabble about this, and it had to be moved. Colonel Hoop has written entertainingly of the establishment of Fort Hoskins and the life there. The present community and post office of Hoskins are close to the site of the fort, but there is nothing left of the establishment. Colonel Hoop says that Sheridan left Fort Hoskins for Fort Jones, California, May 19, 1857, and "this is the last we hear of Sheridan in the valley of the Willamette." The implication is wrong for Sheridan was at Fort Yamhill in 1861 and was not ordered east until September of that year. Heitman's Historical Register says Fort Hoskins was on Siletz River and Old Fort Hoskins was on the Willamette River six miles north of Corvallis. Neither of these statements, apparently based on official records, is correct. Fort Hoskins was actually about 15 miles airline northwest of Corvallis. Heitman's Fort Hoskins on Siletz River seems to have been the Siletz blockhouse. The official records of two forts may have been based on the notion that General Wool had the post moved, but as a matter of fact Captain Augur refused to budge.
FORT KITCHEN, Coos County. Fort Kitchen was a stockade where settlers "forted up" under command of an elected captain, William H. Packwood. It was about a mile south of the present town of Myrtle Point, on South Fork Coquille River near the mouth of Catching Creek. An account of the establishment of this fort in November, 1855, is contained in Dodge's Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, page 96, et seq., where it is said the post was named for the creek. See also Victor's Early Indian Wars of Oregon, page 373, et seq. It seems probable that the firm stand taken by Captain Packwood in dealing with local Indians was successful in avoiding bloodshed in the Coquille Valley. According to Dodge, supra, page 211, the stream was named for E. C. Catching, a pioneer settler. The Catching place became a rendezvous at an early date. It is the opinion of the compiler that the name Fort Kitchen came as the result of the mispronunciation of the family name. Fort KLAMATH, Klamath County. For the origin of the word Klamath, see under KLAMATH COUNTY. The Klamath Indian name ​
the Roe County. The Journal, o cemoved for the locality of Fort Klamath was lukak, meaning within, or in the midst, and referred to the location close to or between mountains. The fort was established with two companies of soldiers in 1863. It was an important post during the Modoc, Snake and Piute wars, and at that time and for some years later it was at a point about a mile southeast of its present location. The troops were removed in 1889. For story about Fort Klamath, see Oregon Journal, October 24, 1937.
FORT LAMERICK, Curry County. The locality of Big Meadows was important during the Rogue River War of 1855-56. It is in the extreme northeast part of Curry County, about two miles north of Rogue River and near the southeast corner of township 32 south, range 10 west. It is mentioned several times in Victor's Early Indian Wars of Oregon and also in Walling's History of Southern Oregon. On account of their strategic position, the Oregon volunteers decided to establish a post at the Big Meadows, and a site was selected May 1, 1856. This post was called Fort Lamerick in compliment to Brigadier-General John K. Lamerick of the Oregon troops. Since hostilities were over in the summer of 1856, Fort Lamerick was short lived. In February, 1944, Forest Ranger L. J. Cooper of Galice kindly sent some information about Fort Lamerick. The post was very close to the quarter-corner between sections 1 and 2, township 33 south, range 10 west, and was about 300 feet above the present (1944) site of the Frye barn. In 1896 there were remains of the fort, some rotting logs and what appeared to be a dugout. These remains were cleared off by C. J. Frye when he took up a homestead. Local tradition is to the effect that the fort was a crude affair, hardly more than low log breastworks enclosing a camping place. Despite that, Fort Lamerick was important as a rendezvous and merits recording.
FORT LANE, Jackson County. Fort Lane was built for service in the Rogue River War. It was established September 28, 1853, and evacuated in September, 1856. See OHQ, volume XXXVI, page 59. In the files of the Oregon Historical Society is a letter from Captain A. J. Smith of the U. S. Dragoons, dated December 18, 1853, and addressed to General Lane, saying that the fort had been completed and that the detachment of three companies of dragoons and one company of infantry was quite comfortable. The fort was named in compliment to General Joseph Lane, whose career is described under LANE County. Walling, in History of Southern Oregon, page 231, says: "Appropriately named Fort Lane, it was commodiously and even handsomely built, and in a manner well adapted to the uses of such a post. A stockade enclosed quite a spacious area in which was a parade ground, together with barracks for private soldiers, houses for officers, an armory, hospital, and other necessary buildings, all built of logs." The D.A.R. marker for Fort Lane is about a quarter of a mile north of Tolo on the road to Gold Ray, near the Southern Pacific tracks. Stones for the marker were taken from the remains of the fort. Fort LEE, Wasco County. Fort Lee was the stockade or post es. tablished at The Dalles by the Oregon volunteers during the Cayuse War in the fall of 1847. It was named for Major H. A. G. Lee of the expeditionary force. According to Bancroft, History of Oregon, volume I, page 703, the only piece of ordnance at the governor's command was a nine-pounder belonging to Oregon City. This was sent to The Dalles, which place was designated as army headquarters. The compiler does ​
not know the exact location or the details of construction of Fort Lee. Fort LELAND, Josephine County. Fort Leland was one of the posts used by the Oregon volunteers during the Rogue River Indian uprising of 1855-56. It was just north of where the Pacific Highway crosses Grave Creek north of Grants Pass. For the history of the name Leland see under GRAVE CREEK and LELAND. Fort Leland was established in the fall of 1855 by the Oregon volunteers, and the name is mentioned several times by Victor in Early Indian Wars of Oregon and also in Walling's History of Southern Oregon. There are some ambiguities about the location, but the consensus is that it was at the Grave Creek House and that is local tradition. Walling, page 255, says that after the battle of Hungry Hill, Harkness and Twogood, proprietors of the Grave Creek House built a stout stockade of timbers and prepared for a siege. This stockade appears to be what was called Fort Leland. Troops had their headquarters there for several months.
FORT MINER, Curry County. This fort was not a military establishment, but a log structure built by settlers and miners about a mile and a half north of the mouth of Rogue River, on an open prairie near the ocean. The fort was used during the Indian fighting in 1855-56 as a place of refuge. Rodney Glisan in Journal of Army Life, page 290, uses the name Fort Miner under date of March 8, 1856, and mentions the fort in several places. In one place, on March 25, 1856, he refers to it as Citizen Fort, and it is apparent that the establishment was built some time in 1855. Dodge, in Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, gives a good deal of information about the place and on page 83 refers to it as "Miner's Fort." On page 347 is the name "Fort Miners." Fort Miner seems to have been a semi-official name for the establishment. Glisan says it consisted of two log houses, surrounded by a high earth embankment. Dodge, on page 361 of his history, gives some reminiscences of Judge Michael Riley, which include a statement that the Rogue River miners and settlers built their stockade at first on the south side of the river near the present site of Gold Beach. Riley was absent at San Francisco at the time and on his return in January, 1856, objected to the location because there was not enough open space around. Riley was responsible for building a new Fort Miner north of the river where there was no cover for attacking Indians.
FORT ORFORD, Curry County. Fort Orford was established September 14, 1851, and evacuated in October, 1856. See OHQ, volume
XXXVI, page 59. According to R. C. Clark, the first troops were sent from Astoria. On October 18, 1851, 135 soldiers sailed from the Depot of the Military Division of the Pacific, Benicia, California, to garrison Fort Orford. The detachment was in command of Lt.Colonel Silas Casey. See annual report of the Secretary of War, dated November 29, 1851. The soldiers built the fort with cedar logs and with lumber shipped from San Francisco. The buildings were at the community of Port Orford and the post was named on that account. Dr. Rodney Glisan was stationed at Fort Orford from June 21, 1855, to August 21, 1856, and has written an interesting account of activities there in his Journal of Army Life. In addition to the military post, there was an earlier civilian stockade with blockhouses, also called Fort Orford. Captain William Tichenor's second expedition landed at Port Orford July 14, 1851, and immediately built the first Fort ​
Orford. See under Fort Point. For Tichenor's account of the establishment of the civilian fort, see Dodge's Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, chapter II. The army post was a few hundred feet northwest of the civilian Fort Orford. The civilian fort was destroyed by the Port Orford fire of October 10, 1868. Fort Point, Curry County. Fort Point is at the south edge of the town of Port Orford, overlooking the ocean. It is just northwest of the famous Battle Rock. On July 14, 1851, Captain William Tichenor's second expedition landed at Port Orford and built two blockhouses on Fort Point, with log defenses. This establishment was built as a place of refuge for local settlers. The government, on September 14, 1851, established the military post of Fort Orford, but this was in addition to the original blockhouses. The blockhouse fort was destroyed in the fire that burned Port Orford October 10, 1868. Fort ROCK, Lake County. This is a rocky landmark. There is a post office of the same name nearby. The rock is an isolated mass, imperfectly crescent shaped, nearly one-third of a mile across, and its highest point is about 325 feet above the floor of the plain on which it stands. It has perpendicular cliffs 200 feet high in places. It is not surprising that it has been likened to a fort, An item in the Bend Bulletin, June 20, 1925, says that William Sullivan, an early resident, named Fort Rock. Sullivan settled in what is now Lake County in 1873.
FORT ROWLAND, Coos County. William Rowland settled on South Fork Coquille River in 1853, on what is now known as Rowland Prairie, and his place was used as a settlers defense headquarters against the Indians in the fall of 1855. The stockade was called Fort Rowland. For information about Fort Rowland and William Rowland, see Dodge's Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, pages 97-100 and 187. See also Victor's Early Indian Wars of Oregon, page 374. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Powers, well-known residents of Coos County, owned the Rowland property in 1945. According to Mrs. Powers the Rowland home was on the Rowland donation land claim in the southwest quarter of section 27, township 30 south, range 12 west, close to the line of the Robert Y. Phillips claim.
FORT SMITH, Douglas County. Fort Smith was a post used by the Oregon Volunteers during the Rogue River War of 1855-56. See Victor's Early Indian Wars of Oregon, page 368. It was at the place of William Henry Smith on Cow Creek. It was near the southwest corner of section 25, township 32 south, range 6 west, and about four miles up Cow Creek from the present town of Glendale, close to the Pacific Highway. Avail. able records do not describe any defenses, although there may have been a stockade
FORT STEVENS, Clatsop County. Isaac Ingalls Stevens was governor of Washington Territory, 1853-57, and delegate to Congress, 1857-61. He was killed while leading the Seventy-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers, at Chantilly, Virginia, against the Confederates, September 1, 1862. He was major-general, and had seized the colors of the regiment after the color-sergeant had fallen. Governor Stevens was highly energetic and constantly active, and was very popular with the people of the territory. He was born at Andover, Massachusetts, March 18, 1818. In 1839 he was graduated from West Point. He served with distinction in the war with Mexico. The route of his journey to the territory in 1853, laid ​
out and surveyed, by him, as one for a railroad, was largely followed by the Northern Pacific. A biography, by his son, Hazard Stevens, is a meritorious book: Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Houghton Mifflin & Company, 1900. For a prospectus of Stevens' railroad surveys, see the Oregonian, July 16, 1853; progress of the surveys, ibid., October 1, 22, 1853. Stevens visited the eastern states in 1854. He left Portland March 29, 1854. His report on his council with the Blackfeet, dated June 8, 1854, appears, ibid., July 29, 1854. Fort Stevens, in Oregon, was named for him by Captain George H. Elliot, United States Engineers, who built the fortifications there and at Cape Disappointment in 1864, ibid., September 21, 1864. Fort UMPQUA, Douglas County. This was a United States military establishment, not to be confused with Hudson's Bay Company forts of the same name. Fort Umpqua was established July 28, 1856. See OHQ, volume XXXVI, page 59. It was one of three forts set up to watch over the Indians at Grand Ronde and Siletz agencies. The other two were Fort Yamhill and Fort Hoskins. A letter in the Bancroft Library, University of California, dated Umpqua City, March 20, 1862, with a signature that seems to be J. V. Cateley, says that the post was built to accommodate two companies of soldiers, but on that date had but one lieutenant and 22 men. The post was at the same place as the community and post office of Umpqua City, about two miles north of the mouth of the river, on the west bank, not far from what is now known as Army Hill. Walling, in History of Southern Oregon, page 438, says that in the summer of 1862 a paymaster visited the fort and found all the officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, away on a hunting trip. As the result of this episode, the post was abandoned.
FORT VANNOY, Josephine County. Fort Vannoy was one of the more important posts used by Oregon volunteer troops during the Rogue River War of 1855-56. James T. Chinnock of Grants Pass has furnished the compiler with the following information: "Fort Vannoy was on the north bank of Rogue River about four miles west of what is now Grants Pass, near the northwest corner of section 21, township 36 south, range 6 west, on the Margaret Vannoy donation land claim adjoining the James N. Vannoy claim. Vannoy was a pioneer of 1851 and established a ferry in that year. A man named Long operated a ferry a little below this point in 1850. Fort Vannoy was in no sense a fortification, but a headquarters camp for the volunteers of the 1855-56 Indian War. It was probably established in late October or November, 1855. The exact location cannot be determined, because there are no marks remaining. There was a group of log houses, and possibly some defense, such as log breastworks or a low stockade hastily constructed. The word fort seems to have been used for any place where the settlers gathered for mutual protection rather than for a place fortified. Fort Vannoy was important because it was used for headquarters as well as for settlers' refuge. The land is now owned by C. H. Eismann." A good article about Fort Vannoy, writted by James T. Chinnock, is in Grants Pass Courier, August 8, 1942. Fort WILLIAM, Columbia and Multnomah counties. Fort William was established on Sauvie Island by Nathaniel J. Wyeth, and occupied two sites. The first was near Warrior Point, where the fort was established temporarily in the autumn of 1834. Wyeth wrote on ​
October 6, 1834: "We are near the mouth of the Multnomah." About May 1, 1835, the establishment was moved south opposite the Logie Trail, which was a route of travel into Willamette Valley. This was to be the permanent location. It was on the west side of the island, in section 7, township 2 north, range 1 west. Owing to the commercial rivalry of the Hudson's Bay Company, Wyeth was forced to abandon Fort William. Carey, in History of Oregon, page 302, says that Fort William was named for one of Wyeth's partners but does not say which one. The
USGS map of the Hillsboro quadrangle, 1943 printing, shows the location of Fort William.
FORT YAMHILL, Yamhill County. In 1855-56 Willamette Valley settlers built a blockhouse on Fort Hill, near the present community of Valley Junction, as a protection against Indians who had been moved onto the reservation. The federal government sent troops to this place and established Fort Yamhill on August 30, 1856. See
OHQ, volume XXXVI, page 59. The fort was named for the Yamhill River. For the origin of the name Yamhill, see under YamHILL
COUNTY. There is a good general account of the activities at Fort Yamhill in Glisan's Journal of Army Life. Dr. Glisan arrived at Fort Yamhill early in September, 1856, and his journal runs through February 10, 1859. It is well worth reading. The compiler does not know when Fort Yamhill was evacuated as a military establishment, but it was subsequent to June 30, 1865. Official records do not seem to warrant the use of the name Fort Sheridan for this establishment. The D. A.R. marker for Fort Yamhill is about a half a mile north of Valley Junction on the Three Rivers Highway and it says that the fort was about 300 yards east of the monument, which would place it close to Fort Hill east of Casper Creek. In a general way this agrees with Glisan's description. After the army authorities abandoned Fort Yamhill as a military post, the Fort Yamhill blockhouse was moved from the top of Fort Hill to Grand Ronde Agency and used for a jail. It stood about where the Agency Community Hall stood in 1944. Later it was moved again, this time to Dayton and set up in a public park. After the blockhouse was moved to Dayton, dedication ceremonies were held August 23, 1912, and an address was given by Judge M. C. George. It contains historical information about Fort Yamhill. See OHQ, volume XV, page 64. Foss, Tillamook County. Foss is a place on Nehalem River about four miles east of Mohler. The post office was in operation from 1928 to 1943. The office was named for Herbert Foss who had timber holdings in the locality. He was living in Mohler in 1943. FossBACK Marsh, Lane County. This is a swampy area not far from the mouth of North Fork Siuslaw River. It was named for a pioneer family of the vicinity. Fossil, Wheeler County. The compiler is informed that this post office was established February 28, 1876, at the ranch of Thomas B. Hoover, who was the first postmaster. He had discovered and was removing some fossil remains on his ranch at the time, and this suggested the name of the new office.
FOSTER, Linn County. The post office was established February 8, 1892, with Aaron H. Yost first postmaster. C. H. Stewart of Albany told the compiler in 1927 that the place was named for P. J. Foster, who operated a grist mill in the neighborhood. ​
Foster Road, Multnomah County. Philip Foster came to Oregon in 1842, by sea. His wife was Mary Charlotte Pettygrove, sister of F. W. Pettygrove, one of the founders of Portland. Foster was born at Augusta, Maine, January 29, 1805. During his first four years in Oregon, Foster engaged in the mercantile business at Oregon City. His farm, at Eagle Creek, was the first on the Oregon Trail in the Willamette Valley. This made the Foster farm the most widely known in Oregon. The Foster place was, during many years, a depot of supplies for new settlers. He was preceded there by Samuel McSwain, a pioneer, probably of 1842. Foster died March 17, 1884. Mrs. Foster died in 1879. For his biography, see the Oregonian, March 28, 1884, page 1. Foster Road bears his name. For detailed information about him and his early experiences in Oregon, see the Oregonian, December 18, 1927, section 1, page 10.
FOURBIT CREEK, Jackson County. This stream is one of the headwaters of Big Butte Creek. It is said to have been named because of a pioneer eating house on its bank, where a substantial repast could be bought for fifty cents, or "four bits."
FOURMILE CANYON, Gilliam and Morrow counties. This canyon opens into Eightmile Canyon, and is so called on the assumption that its mouth is about four miles up Eightmile Canyon from the point where that canyon opens onto Willow Creek.
FOURMILE CREEK, Coos County. A stream called Fourmile Creek flows into Pacific Ocean a little more than seven miles south of Bandon, and the origin of the name of the stream is somewhat of a puzzle. It is said that it was so called because it was about four miles south of Coquille River, but it is nearly twice that far. Whoever did the original measuring greatly underestimated the distance. It is of interest to note that the Oregon Coast Highway crosses the main branch of Twomile Creek at a point three miles north of Fourmile Creek, and something like five miles south of Bandon. Fourmile post office was established near Fourmile Creek on March 3, 1906, with Harlan P. Dunning first and only postmaster. The office was closed to Langlois June 15, 1907. It was reestablished as Four Mile in 1947.
FOURMILE LAKE, Klamath County. So called because it was assumed that the lake was four miles long. This lake is just northeast of Mount McLoughlin in the heart of the Cascade Range.
FOURTH LAKE, Linn County. This lake is the fourth of a series of four lakes, beginning at Albany and extending north along the east bank of the Willamette River. They are named in order from Albany. Fox, Grant County. Fox takes its name from Fox Creek, an important tributary of North Fork John Day River. The name was applied to the stream in pioneer days on account of some incident that occurred on a hunting or prospecting trip that had to do with a fox. The post office was established about 1883. Fox BUTTE, Lake County. Fox Butte is in the extreme north end of Lake County and southeast of the Paulina Mountains. In December, 1945, Avon D. Derrick of Fort Rock wrote the Bend Bulletin that the butte was named for a black fox seen there by his father, H. E. Derrick, in the summer of 1909. Stories to the effect that the feature was named for a nearby settler, one Fox, do not seem to be true. Fox CREEK, Marion County. Charles C. Giebeler of Detroit, in a par ​Couno badly till into formed the compiler that this stream, which flows into Breitenbush River, was named for one Fox, a camp cook for a party of trail builders. While camped near this stream Fox fell into a fire as the result of an epileptic fit, and was burned so badly that he died. Fox Hollow, Lane County. Fox Hollow drains a considerable area southwest of Spencer Butte and also southwest of Eugene and adds the water to Coyote Creek. It has been called Fox Hollow since pioneer days and while the natural assumption is that it was named for some incident connected with a fox, Cal M. Young, long a resident of Lane County, wrote the compiler in 1947 expressing his doubts. Mr. Young says that he was told many years ago that the hollow was named for the many fox squirrels that lived therein. These fox squirrels, also called Oregon gray squirrels, were so named because of their bushy tails. There was at one time a Fox Hollow post office near the road junction in section 5, township 19 south, range 4 west, with Mrs. Aslaug I. Knox postmaster. This office was in service from November 27, 1922, to September 1, 1924, in the Fred G. Knox farm home, and was closed by the extension of rural route 3 from Eugene. Fox VALLEY, Linn County. Fox Valley is a cove on the south side of North Santiam River about two miles east of Lyons. It has been so called since pioneer days, and was named for John Fox, one of the first settlers. He had an Indian wife. Fox Valley post office was established July 21, 1874, with Abner D. Gardner first postmaster. The office operated on and off until May 6, 1907, when it was supplanted by rural free delivery.
FRANCISVILLE, Wheeler County. Information about this early-day post office is very meagre. It was established January 4, 1883 and closed June 28, 1883. John F. Jordan was the first postmaster. Old maps show the office situated on Pine Creek a few miles east of what was later Clarno. The compiler has not been able to learn the origin of the name, or anything else about the place for that matter.
FRANKLIN BUTTE, Linn County. This butte is just southeast of Scio. Its greatest elevation is 911 feet. Riley Shelton, of Scio, informed the compiler in 1927 that the butte was named for Frank M. Rice, who took up a donation land claim at the west and southwest part of the butte. It was at first called Paynes Butte, but the name was changed to the present form about 1860. Rice operated a blacksmith shop near the southeast corner of his claim, and some of the cinders remained there in the road for many years. Mrs. Rebecca Morris, a pioneer of 1815 from Missouri, furnished these data to Shelton. Shelton was born near the butte in 1853, and was well acquained with Rice.
FRANKLIN-SMITHFIELD, Lane County. The Franklin-Smithfield controversy has been outstanding in Lane County for many years, and up to 1942 the difference of opinion had not been composed. The locality is on the Territorial road a few miles north of Elmira. There have been many news stories about the squabble. The most comprehensive that the compiler has seen are in Eugene Register-Guard, March 1, 1931, and by Professor John B. Horner in the Oregonian, May 14, 1933. It is not easy to follow all the arguments. About 1852-53 Daniel Smith made his homestead at what is now Franklin-Smithfield and in 1857 R. V. Howard established a store in the vicinity. In the meantime Franklin post office was established on March 3, 1855, with Enos Elmak ​er postmaster. The compiler does not know if the office was at that time near the Smith home, or some distance away, as it seems to have been in several nearby localities. Howard attempted to have a post office called Smithfield, but this name ran afoul of Smithfield in Polk County, and the authorities would not allow duplication. It is not clear whether Howard wanted to change the name of the Franklin post office or establish a new one. In 1891 Daniel Smith laid out a townsite and filed the plat for Smithfield. In the meantime Franklin post office was in operaation and it appears on the 1900 postal map. In 1909 the USGS mapped the locality as Smithfield. It was shortly after this that there began to be marked differences of opinion as to the name of the village. The controversy was acute in 1931 and in 1934 an effort was made to have the county commissioners adopt one of the names. The commission however passed a resolution calling for double-barrelled direction signs on roads and highways, reading both Smithfield and Franklin. This arrangement has not satisfied the partisans of the two names, but it represents the situation as this paragraph is written in 1943.
FRANKTON, Hood River County. This is a community on the west side of the Hood River Valley, and is said to have been named for one Frank Backus, who platted a tract of land with the hope of developing a town. E. L. Smith, a well-known pioneer of Hood River, was interested in this enterprise.
FRAZIER, Lane County. Frazier, a station on the Cascade line of the Southern Pacific Company, was named for Robert Frazier, a member of the Lewis and Clark party. See also FIELDS, CRUZATTE and PRYOR.
FRAZIER MOUNTAIN, Clackamas County. Frazier Mountain, elevation 5110 feet, was named for Donald Frazier, who died in 1918 in military service during World War I. He was a forest guard on the Mount Hood National Forest. The mountain was formerly called Shellrock Mountain, one of several in the state, and it was believed the new name would be more suitable than the duplication, as well as honor a man who died for his country. Frazier Mountain is in township 5 south, range 7 east.
FRAZIER MOUNTAIN, Union County. Dunham Wright of Medical Springs, wrote the compiler in 1927 that this mountain was named for an old hunter named Frazier, a pioneer settler in Antelope Valley near Telocaset.
FREEBRIDGE, Wasco County. Freebridge post office was established on the east edge of Wasco County close to Deschutes River on January 29, 1908, with Frederick S. Peterson first postmaster. Ida Carlisle took office on November 24, 1908, and the office was closed July 30, 1910, with papers to Wrentham. The Free Bridge was the result of a plan by Wasco County to provide free going between The Dalles and Sherman County communities, so that the toll bridge at the mouth of Deschutes River could be avoided. The project was undertaken in September, 1885, and in October of that year a contract for the bridge was awarded to Hoffman and Bates of San Francisco and Portland.
FREEDOM, Coos County. Freedom post office was established May 21, 1878, with Yelverton M. Lowe first postmaster. This office was closed January 8, 1883. In September, 1946, Mrs. Mary M. Randleman of Coquille wrote the compiler that the office, which was at the mouth of Beaver Slough, was named for patriotic reasons. When the post office was closed the mail was handled through Coquille. ​
FREEDOM, Lane County. Post office records show that Freedom post office was established Febrauary 17, 1858, with Thomas M. Awbrey first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Lancaster on May 7, 1866, when Joseph S. Lyman was postmaster. It seems probable that this office was at or near the place called Lancaster, which is just southwest of Harrisburg. Walling in his Illustrated History of Lane County, page 458, says that in the early '50s a man named Woody started a house of entertainment in this locality and called it Woodyville. The term house of entertainment seems to have been a fancy name for a roadhouse. Walling also says that Johnson Mulkey bought the property, changed the name to Lancaster and built a sawmill. The writer has no information about the origins of the names Freedom or Lancaster. It is interesting to note that Lancaster, a city in Pennsylvania, is not far east of Harrisburg. The associations of names in Pennsylvania may have had something to do with naming a place Lancaster in Oregon because it was close to a town called Harrisburg. The author has no evidence to support this theory, but it is appealing. On January 23, 1872, the name of Lancaster post office was changed to Junction City. It is probable that at that time the office was moved south so as to be on the recently constructed railroad. The first postmaster of the Junction City office was David McAlpine.
FREEWATER, Umatilla County. Freewater was established as a rival community to Milton, just to the south, and hoped to get settlers by the device of offering free water for irrigation purposes. The original plat of the town was filed as New Walla Walla, on account of proximity to Walla Walla, Washington. This filing was made November 30, 1889, but a note in Umatilla County records says the plat was later withdrawn. There is nothing now on file to show its nature. The plat for Freewater was filed August 16, 1890.
FREEZEOUT CREEK, Wallowa County. This stream is in the eastern part of the county. It was named by one Jack Johnson because he nearly froze there one night. Johnson was a prominent pioneer character of the Wallowa country.
FREMONT, Lake County. For some years, beginning about 1909, Fremont was a post office. It was about six miles west of Fort Rock. The name was probably suggested by the name Fremont National Forest, which was named for Captain John C. Fremont, who explored central Oregon in 1843. Regardless of the fact that Fremont made an accurate and valuable record of his trip through Oregon, he is frequently spoken of lightly, as a general who never commanded an army and an explorer who never made a discovery. He was born in Georgia in 1813. At the age of 25 he was appointed a second lieutenant in the topographical engineers of the army. He made several explorations in the West, and these, coupled with his experiences in California, led to his nomination by the Republicans in 1856 for the presidency. He served in the Civil War, and attained the rank of major-general. He died in 1890. While his geographical work was of good character, too many claims were made in his behalf. See editorial in the Oregonian, April 2, 1926.
FREMONT CANYON, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. This canyon is northeast of Sisters. It is popularly supposed to be the canyon ascended by Captain John C. Fremont early in December, 1843, while he was on his way south through Deschutes Valley.
FREMONT HIGHWAY, Deschutes, Klamath and Lake counties. This oy. ​
highway was named in honor of Captain J. C. Fremont, who explored central Oregon in the fall of 1843. For data about Captain Fremont, see under FREMONT. The name Fremont Highway was suggested by Robert W. Sawyer of Bend, and it was adopted by the Oregon State Highway Commission August 30, 1927. For article about Captain Fremont and Fremont Highway, by John W. Kelly, see magazine section, Oregonian, March 18, 1928.
FREMONT MEADOW, Deschutes County. This little natural meadow is on Tumalo Creek in section 34, township 17 south, range 11 east, and lies within Shevlin Park, property of the city of Bend. Captain John C. Fremont and his exploring party camped in this vicinity on the night of December 4, 1843, and mentioned following an Indian trail southward to a meadow, obviously on Tumalo Creek. In Septemebr, 1855, the officers of the Pacific Railroad Surveys, Williamson and Sheridan, followed a trail southward to the same locality and met Abbot who was traveling north. The position given is that of the meadow in question and the description is accurate enough for a check. This indicates that the Indian trail crossed Tumalo Creek at this meadow, sometimes called Upper Meadow, the same place used by Fremont in 1843. In January, 1943, the city of Bend and some interested residents asked to have the name Fremont Meadow adopted, which was done by the USBGN later in the year.
FRENCH GULCH, Baker County. French Gulch is in the vicinity of Auburn and it was an important place at the time of the eastern Oregon gold rush of the early '60s. Some French miners operated in this gulch and it got its name on their account.
FRENCH MOUNTAIN, Lane County. This mountain lies southeast of McKenzie Bridge. It was named during World War I in honor of the French people. Just east is English Mountain, named at the same time.
FRENCH PETE CREEK, Lane County. This stream is an important tributary of South Fork McKenzie River. Smith Taylor told the compiler that it was named for French Pete, an early day sheepherder, who ranged his band along the stream. The compiler has been unable to get the rest of French Pete's name, but the omission may not matter.
FRENCH PRAIRIE, Marion County. French Prairie lies in the Willamette Valley, between the Willamette River and Pudding River, north of Salem. Its general elevation is less than 200 feet and it is well shown on the USGS map of Mount Angel quadrangle. The prairie was named for the early French-Canadian settlers, most of whom were former employees of the Hudson's Bay Company. Early days on French Prairie are described by H. S. Lyman, in reminiscences of Louis Labonte in OHQ, volume I, page 169. For similar article by Lyman, reminiscences of F. X. Matthieu, including list of French-Canadian settlers, ibid, page 73. For article about settlement of French Prairie, by Oswald West, ibid., volume
XLIII, page 198.
FRENCH SETTLEMENT, Douglas County. This locality is mentioned under the heading CHAMPAGNE CREEK. It was a few miles northwest of Roseburg. A post office with the name French Settlement was in operation from August 10, 1874, until December 14, 1874, with John M. Wright postmaster. The place was named for a number of FrenchCanadians who established a colony there in the '50s.
FRENCHGLEN, Harney County. Dr. Hugh James Glenn was born in Virginia in 1824 and spent his youth in Missouri, where he was married ​
in March, 1849. In that year he emigrated to California, and after working in the mines, in 1853 he settled temporarily in what is now Glenn County, California. After several trips across the plains, he brought his family to California in 1868 and settled there permanently. In 1867 he began to buy land on a large scale and in 1874 he was reported to own 55,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley. He was known as the Wheat King. He was killed by one Miller in February 17, 1883, on his Jacinto Ranch. The California Historical Society kindly furnished this information to the compiler in 1943. In 1872 Dr. Glenn sent Peter French to southeastern Oregon as a scout and landbuyer. Peter French was the son-in-law of Dr. Glenn, but the compiler does not know if French was married when he came to Oregon or later. French bought large holdings for the Glenn account and became a partner in the French-Glenn business. He was impressed with the valley of the Donner und Blitzen River for cattle raising and among other properties, bought a small ranch from a local cattleman and prospector who was using a P branding iron. This place was a favorite of Pete French and became his headquarters, with the name P Ranch. The P Ranch became one of the most famous properties of the West and was the center of very large holdings. Pete French was shot and killed near Sodhouse on December 26, 1897, by Edward L. Oliver. This tragedy was the result of an altercation over some land, and Oliver was acquitted by a jury. For many decades the P Ranch and the French-Glenn holdings were landmarks in Harney County. Frenchglen post office was near the P Ranch, and the name of the office perpetuates the names of the owners of the enterprise, with a single modification in spelling. A large part of the property is now in the Malheur Migratory Bird Refuge. For further details, see under Malheur LAKE and P RANCH. See also news stories in the Oregonian, December 29, 30, 1897. Frenchglen post office was established by change of name from Somerange October 1, 1930, with Jesse L. Bradeen postmaster. For the history of this office, see under SOMERANGE.
FRIEND, Wasco County, Friend was named for George J. Friend, as the post office established February 28, 1903, was on his homestead. The name was proposed by Theo. H. Buskuhl, first postmaster.
FRIENDLY REACH, Multnomah County. This is part of the Columbia River, about 8 miles long, from the mouth of the Willamette River eastward. It was named by Lieutenant W. R. Broughton on October 31, 1792, in commemoration of the friendly behavior of an old Indian chief, who acted as a guide. The name was adopted by the government in in 1926 at the request of the Camp Fire Girls.
FRISSELL Point, Lane County. This point, which is northeast of McKenzie Bridge, together with Frissell Creek to the north, and Frissell Crossing on South Fork McKenzie River, were named for "Uncle" George Frissell, a pioneer settler on the upper McKenzie River.
FROMAN, Linn County. This is a railroad station southeast of Albany, named for Thomas Froman, a pioneer resident of the neighborhood.
FRUITA, Wallowa County. Fruita is situated in a park on Imnaha River near the mouth of Grouse Creek. When the post office was established, various names, including Imnaha Park and Grouse Creek were suggested, but postal authorities rejected them all, mostly because of duplication. Finally the department sent a Postal Guide and requested that a name of one word be selected that did not duplicate any other ​name in Oregon. A local resident by the name of T. F. Rich, had lived at Fruita, Colorado, and he suggested that name.
Fruitland, Marion County. Fruitland is the name of a locality about five miles east of Salem and a mile north of the Penitentiary road, applied because of the excellence of the soil. Fruitland post office was established September 5, 1892, with George H. Nichols postmaster. The office was closed March 19, 1901, and the locality, which is thickly settled, is served from Salem.
Fry, Linn County. Fry is a railroad station between Albany and Lebanon, named for Olney Fry, Sr., a pioneer settler of the vicinity.
Fryingpan Lake, Clackamas County. This lake is south of Salmon River in the eastern part of the county. It is supposed to simulate the shape of a fryingpan, hence the name.
Fryrear Butte, Deschutes County. This butte is east of Sisters, and was named for an early settler nearby, John B. Fryrear.
Fuego, Klamath County. This station on the Cascade line of the Southern Pacific Company is named for Fuego Mountain to the east. See under that name.
Fuego Mountain, Klamath County. Fuego Mountain is in the east central part of the Klamath Indian Reservation. Fuego is Spanish for fire. Captain O. C. Applegate told the writer that in early days there were several bad forest fires on this butte, and owing to remoteness, they were hard to control. He thinks this was the reason for the name.
Fulton Canyon, Sherman County. Fulton Canyon is in the northwest part of the county. It was named for the Fulton family, pioneer settlers in Wasco and Sherman counties. Colonel James Fulton was born in Missouri and came to Oregon in 1847. He served in the Indian wars and subsequently settled in Wasco County. Later he lived with other members of his family in Fulton Canyon. He was the postmaster at the post office of Fultonville, now discontinued. He died in 1896. His son, John Fulton, was born in Yamhill County in 1852. He took up a claim in what is now Fulton Canyon in 1878. He was for many years county judge of Sherman County. It is said that Fulton Canyon was originally called Eaton Canyon, but it is not now known by that name.
Furnish Creek, Lane County. This is a tributary of Salmon Creek east of Oakridge. It was named for James Furnish, a forest ranger. Furnish was of the opinion that there was no such stream in the neighborhood and when it was finally discovered it was named for him as a reminder of his error.