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Board votes to rename Squaw Flat
Published June 27, 2004
By BROOK REINHARD
H&N Staff Writer
Squaw Flat is no more.
From now on, it's Switchback Flat.
The Oregon Geographic Names Board on Saturday approved a request by the Klamath Tribes to change the name of spot found on Forest Service land about 16 miles northeast of Klamath Falls.
Cleo Atchley, an elder with the Klamath Tribes, has been pressing for the change for some time. Squaw Flat Road, which is near Squaw Flat, runs through her property.
"There was no Squaw Flat Road, as far as I can remember," she said, adding she has no idea where the name came from.
The state Legislature has encouraged the elimination of the word "squaw," because it is considered a derogatory term. There are five geographic areas in Klamath County that use the word in their names, but the board's action applied to only one.
The state board's approval for the change clears the way for almost-certain approval of the change by the U.S. Board on Geographical Names.
Administrative names, such as roads, must be changed by the group that oversees them. In this case, the Klamath County Board of Commissioners would have to act to change the name of Squaw Flat Road, which is a county road.
Atchley and Gerald Skelton, the Tribes' culture and heritage directors, said they're most interested in getting the name of the road changed. Changing the name of the flat is a good place to start, Skelton said.
"We figured it would be a little more convincing if we got the geographic area name changed," he said. "It's always been such a derogatory term, never a good thing."
The name change was approved by the board quickly, with no dissension from any of the members.
"I just think I'd point out this is one of the fastest, smoothest changes during the years I've been on the board," board member Phil Cogswell said.
The board held its summer meeting this weekend in Klamath Falls. The Switchback Flat proposal was one of six to come before the board at the meeting, which is called once or twice a year at various Oregon locations. There are about 53,000 names on file for Oregon landmarks.
Two-thirds are natural features, such as creeks and lakes, while the remainder are administrative names such as city names, names of railway stations and road names.
Klamath County has no representation on the 25-member board, but Lake County is represented by Paisley resident Diane Elder, who's served since 1992.
Elder said she's an "avid historian" who enjoys helping the state make name changes where appropriate. People from Klamath or Lake County interested in serving a three-year term on the board should contact Dr. John Pierce at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland, OR, 97205.
In other board business, members spent much of the meeting deciding how to handle Native American names.
In many cases, tribes will submit a name for consideration with a traditional spelling, even if the phonetic spelling might be different.
Members were unable to agree on a set policy, but will discuss the issue at a future meeting.
By BROOK REINHARD
H&N Staff Writer
Squaw Flat is no more.
From now on, it's Switchback Flat.
The Oregon Geographic Names Board on Saturday approved a request by the Klamath Tribes to change the name of spot found on Forest Service land about 16 miles northeast of Klamath Falls.
Cleo Atchley, an elder with the Klamath Tribes, has been pressing for the change for some time. Squaw Flat Road, which is near Squaw Flat, runs through her property.
"There was no Squaw Flat Road, as far as I can remember," she said, adding she has no idea where the name came from.
The state Legislature has encouraged the elimination of the word "squaw," because it is considered a derogatory term. There are five geographic areas in Klamath County that use the word in their names, but the board's action applied to only one.
The state board's approval for the change clears the way for almost-certain approval of the change by the U.S. Board on Geographical Names.
Administrative names, such as roads, must be changed by the group that oversees them. In this case, the Klamath County Board of Commissioners would have to act to change the name of Squaw Flat Road, which is a county road.
Atchley and Gerald Skelton, the Tribes' culture and heritage directors, said they're most interested in getting the name of the road changed. Changing the name of the flat is a good place to start, Skelton said.
"We figured it would be a little more convincing if we got the geographic area name changed," he said. "It's always been such a derogatory term, never a good thing."
The name change was approved by the board quickly, with no dissension from any of the members.
"I just think I'd point out this is one of the fastest, smoothest changes during the years I've been on the board," board member Phil Cogswell said.
The board held its summer meeting this weekend in Klamath Falls. The Switchback Flat proposal was one of six to come before the board at the meeting, which is called once or twice a year at various Oregon locations. There are about 53,000 names on file for Oregon landmarks.
Two-thirds are natural features, such as creeks and lakes, while the remainder are administrative names such as city names, names of railway stations and road names.
Klamath County has no representation on the 25-member board, but Lake County is represented by Paisley resident Diane Elder, who's served since 1992.
Elder said she's an "avid historian" who enjoys helping the state make name changes where appropriate. People from Klamath or Lake County interested in serving a three-year term on the board should contact Dr. John Pierce at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland, OR, 97205.
In other board business, members spent much of the meeting deciding how to handle Native American names.
In many cases, tribes will submit a name for consideration with a traditional spelling, even if the phonetic spelling might be different.
Members were unable to agree on a set policy, but will discuss the issue at a future meeting.
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Reader Comments
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Ralph Sayre wrote on Jan 31, 2009 6:13 AM:
" I've just read an article (2005) titled "Discarded Soul at Peace."
I'm trying to complete a bio for an ancestor, VIRGIL ELROY SNOW, who was born in Roane County, West Virginia 2 December 1884. Last info I have was that at age 48, he was killed in Klamath Falls by a hit and run.
There is no indication that he fathered children. We were hopeful that there may have been a male child to carry on the SNOW name.
If anyone knows, please email me.
Thanks,
Ralph Sayre in WV "
I'm trying to complete a bio for an ancestor, VIRGIL ELROY SNOW, who was born in Roane County, West Virginia 2 December 1884. Last info I have was that at age 48, he was killed in Klamath Falls by a hit and run.
There is no indication that he fathered children. We were hopeful that there may have been a male child to carry on the SNOW name.
If anyone knows, please email me.
Thanks,
Ralph Sayre in WV "
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Ilene S wrote on May 21, 2009 9:36 AM: