Talk:Oregon Geographic Names

Homesteading

The article says

the period of homesteading [was] between 1875 and 1925.

But the Homestead Act went into effect in 1862. That was preceded by the Donation Land Claim Act from 1850 to 1855. Does OGN specifically create the 1875–1925 era and call it "homesteading"? (I really gotta get my hands on that book...) —EncMstr 08:52, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

From the horse's mouth (please delete if this is a copyvio):

The origins of geographic names in Oregon may be traced roughly to six periods in the history of the state, and in most instances the names themselves indicate approximately the epoch in which they were applied. The six periods may be described as follows: ... Fifth: The homestead era. During the fifty years between 1875 and 1925, nine million acres qualified for final entry*, and thousands of family names were applied to creeks and buttes. There was also a multiple application of names generic to the land laws and the farming and grazing occupations, such as School Section Creek, Homestead, Freezeout Ridge, and Dipping Vat Creek.

McArthur, Lewis A. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh Edition ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. pp. x. ISBN 0-87595-277-1. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

*Final entry in what?

So I think it literally means the period of homesteading between those years, but isn't saying that was the only time of homesteading. Instead the periods are designated by what affected the bulk of the place name applications. Before this particular era of homesteading, for example in the pioneer period, places were more often being named after their eastern counterparts and after pioneer** families, as well as important national political figures who had no connection to Oregon. **At some point there were enough people here that new arrivals ceased to be pioneers and became merely settlers. The text is a bit cryptic--the article could definitely use some clarification and examples. Katr67 21:03, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

Now that I'm not sleepy, I'm thinking you're right on. Perhaps the Homestead Act didn't get a lot of notice from 1862 to 1875. Even in 2007, I have a hard time comprehending what might inspire a move from most anywhere to Nebraska or Iowa.... —EncMstr 00:54, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

Refs for expansion

• From East Oregonian
• http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-954115/What-s-in-a-name.html
• https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/explore/notable/mcarthur.aspx (partially sourced from above ref)
• http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ohq/109.3/peneva.html This looks like the best one.
• http://www.ohs.org/research/oregon-geographic-names-board.cfm

Mary has also taken her father's place on the Oregon Geographic Names Board. Katr67 (talk) 18:16, 14 August 2009 (UTC)