Franklin B . Sprague Franklin Burnet Sprague ( July 16 , 1825 – February 7 , 1895 ) was an American military officer , businessman , and judge . He joined the Union Army during the Civil War , serving on the Oregon frontier . During his military service , Sprague explored much of Southern Oregon . While building a road near Fort Klamath , Sprague led a party into the Cascade Mountains to investigate Crater Lake . His party was the first to descend the 800 - foot caldera wall to reach the lake ' s shore . A month later , Sprague published an article highlighting the lake ' s unique beauty . Today , the Sprague River in southern Oregon bears his name . Early life . Sprague was born on July 16 , 1825 in Delaware , Ohio . His parents were Pardon and Mary ( Meeker ) Sprague . His father was stockman , hotel keeper , county sheriff , and state legislator . Sprague received a private education in a small school near his home . He later attended Ohio Wesleyan University in his home town . In 1850 , Sprague moved to Oregon . He settled in Jackson County , where he opened a shop that built fanning - mills for winnowing grain . Sprague was the first manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest to produce modern winnowing machine s . Like the majority of Oregonians at the time , Sprague was a strong supporter of the Union during the American Civil War . Military service . In 1864 , Sprague joined the Union Army , and was commissioned as a Captain in the 1st Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment . He was given command of I Company , and posted to Southern Oregon . He participated in a number of skirmishes with the Northern Paiute and other Indian bands in southeastern Oregon . In addition to fighting Indians , Sprague learned to speak their languages and counted many Indians among his friends , including the Modoc chief known as Captain Jack . Captain Sprague was well respected as a leader , and often led detachments of cavalry as well as infantrymen . In October 1865 , Sprague was leading a patrol of eleven cavalry troopers from C Company of the 1st Oregon Cavalry south of Warner Lake in present day Lake County , Oregon , when they were ambushed by approximately 125 Indians in two groups . Sprague and his troops were caught between a lake , high cliffs , and the two groups of Indians . After exchanging long - range gun fire with the Indians , Sprague determined that while the Indian in front of him had guns , those behind him had only bows and arrows . He quickly ordered his men to charge to the rear . His men broke through the Indian ' s skirmish line and made a successful escape with no casualties . Crater Lake . Sprague and twenty men from Company I were assigned to build a road linking the Rogue River with the existing John Day road . This connected Jacksonville and southwest Oregon with John Day ' s mining country . After the construction work was completed , Sprague published a list of the best camp sites along the road in the Jacksonville newspapers so that the wagon masters could find the best water and grass along the way . On August 1 , 1865 , two hunters from Sprague ' s road construction crew rediscovered Crater Lake , which had been first visited in 1853 , but was never effectively recorded so that others could locate it . Based on directions from his hunters , Sprague and five other men visited the lake on August 12 . They climbed down the 800 - foot caldera cliff to become the first explorers to reach the lake shore . Sprague ' s account of the visit was reported to Jacksonville ' s leading newspaper , the " Oregon Sentinel " on August 25 . Sprague ' s report was published in the " Oregon Sentinel " on September 9 , 1865 . It included several significant observations . First , Sprague identified the volcanic origins of the lake . His report described Wizard Island , and observed it was a remnant of volcanic activity . Second , his description of the lake ' s unique beauty was thoughtful and eloquent . Sprague also predicted that the lake would " be visited by thousands hereafter . " Finally , he recommended that the lake not be named after its discoverer , saying : " I do not know who first saw this lake , nor do I think it should be named after the discoverer . " Sprague suggested it be called " Lake Majestic . " Today , it is known as Crater Lake . Since he was the first to identify the lake ' s volcanic origin , Sprague deserves some credit for the name . Later life . On July 19 , 1867 , Captain Sprague and the men of Company I were mustered out of the Army . They were the last members of the 1st Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment to be released from active duty . In 1868 , Sprague returned to Delaware County , Ohio . He settled in Sunbury , where he started a grain milling business . In 1875 , Sprague ran as the Democratic Party ' s candidate for Delaware County Probate Judge , and was elected . He was easily re - elected in 1878 , completing his term in 1882 . Sprague died on February 7 , 1895 . He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware , Ohio . Legacy . Sprague played an important part in the early history of Crater Lake National Park . His exploration party was the first to reach the lake ' s shore . He was the first to identify the lake ' s volcanic origin , and his article in the " Oregon Sentinel " generated public interest in Crater Lake ' s unique beauty . In addition , Sprague explored much of Southern Oregon . The Sprague River is named after him . The Sprague River Valley , the town of Sprague River , and Sprague River Park in Fremont National Forest near Bly , Oregon also derive their names from Franklin Sprague .