BY W. G. STEEL, Fellow of the American Geographical Society. PORTLAND, OREGON: DAVID STEEL, SUCCESSOR TO HIMES THE PRINTER, 169-1/2 Second Street. 1890. Copyright, 1889, by W. G. Steel....

This little volume has not been written with the expectation of accomplishing a mission, or even attracting general attention, but simply to put into permanent form a small portion of information that is constantly appearing in newspaper articles. Such information usually comes from abler pens than mine, but it is all the more pity that it is not in proper shape for future use. If it amuses, entertains or instructs those who peruse it, its aim will be accomplished, and its author satisfied. Ther

Mount Hood is located in the Cascade range in Oregon, twenty-five miles south of the Columbia river. It is about twelve thousand feet high, and is visible over a large part of the State. Above an elevation of five thousand feet it is covered with perpetual snow. It stands sixty miles east of Portland, a monument of beauty, and the pride of Oregon. In the spring of 1885 the idea originated of illuminating it with red fire. An effort was made to carry this into effect on the following 4th of July,

A Trip to Crater Lake is, to a lover of the grand and beautiful in nature, an important event, around which will ever cluster memories of unalloyed happiness, thoughts of little adventures and weird experiences that go to make life worth living. It is situated in the northwest portion of Klamath county, Oregon, twenty-two miles west of north of Fort Klamath, and about eighty miles northeast of Medford, which is the best point to leave the Oregon & California railroad. The Jacksonville an

On Friday evening, August 24, 1888, S. S. Nicolini of Ragusa, Austria, E. D. Dewert of Portland, and the writer boarded the south-bound train for Grant's Pass, intent on a few days' outing. This town of Grant's Pass was so named for a pass in the mountains several miles south, where, in early days, the silent hero camped for the night. Early Saturday morning my head was banged up against one end of our sleeping car, an instant after hearing the shrill whistle sounding down brakes. As soon as pos

It is a curious fact that the home of Liberty has always been in the mountains. The reason for this is, that Nature intervenes every barrier to prevent conquests, and shields the native mountaineer from onslaughts of a foreign foe. The ringing words, "Make way for Liberty," could never have become immortal had it not been for a mountain pass. The memory of William Tell would not now be cherished by liberty-loving Swiss, were it not for the friendly crags of the Alps that sheltered him. Here in t

Monday, August 14, 1889, Mr. J. Nichols, of Tacoma, and the writer, left Tacoma for Mt. Rainier, determined, if possible, to reach its highest point. The provisions, blankets, alpine stocks (a hickory staff seven feet long with a steel point at one end), alpine ax and all that was necessary in making the ascent easy, were taken from Tacoma, while pack horses were procured at Yelm, a station twenty-five miles south of Tacoma, and from which the trail leads eastwardly to Mount Rainier. It first fo

Adams, Mt. —Called by Winthrop, Tacoma the Second (1853). Named for President Adams. Indian name Pat-to, signifying high. This name was applied to snow caps generally by the Indians. Baker, Mt. —Named for Lieut. Baker by Vancouver, when discovered April 30, 1792. Called by Winthrop (1853), Kulshan; possibly the Indian name. Referred to by the Spanish as Montana del Carmelo. Called Mt. Polk by the Americans (1846). Bitter Root Range. —Same as the Cœur d'Alene mountains. Coffin, Mt. —Originally us

Nisqually and Skokomish Agency , } Tacoma , W. T., Dec. 8, 1886. } W. G. Steel , Portland, Oregon : Dear Sir :—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Sept. 21st, making certain inquiries about the change of the name of Mt. Rainier to that of Tacoma. Upon careful and diligent inquiry among the Puyallup Indians, I find the following to be the true condition of things: There is a general impression that the name Tacoma was the original name of the mountain among Indians, and

Ta-ko-man is a name used by many different Indian tribes of this Territory, with the same meaning and a slight variation of pronunciation by each different tribe. It is the name or word from which Tacoma was derived. It originated among the inland Indians. The meaning of Ta-ko-man is a high, treeless, white or light colored peak or mound. The name is applicable to any peak or mound as described, but is generally used for one that is distinguished, or highly honored. And Squa-tach , to climb, and

This beautiful name of the city whose rapid and marvellous growth and development have been unparalleled even in our Western civilization, is a pure invention. Its very euphony divests it of all claim as the Indian nomination of Old Mount Rainier, the name conferred by the illustrious circumnavigator, George Vancouver, borne for a century upon the map of the world. Tacoma is a word of extremely modern origin, invented, or used first by Lieut. Theodore Winthrop, U. S. Army, in his readable book—"

The Oregon Alpine Club was organized in 1887, and incorporated October 7th of that year. It was originally intended merely as an organization among half a dozen friends who were in the habit of seeking adventure and recreation in the mountains. After considering the matter for a time a meeting, was called, and more persons attended than were expected. A committee was appointed on rules, the adoption of which required several meetings, so that when the organization was completed there were over s

OFFICERS. ARTICLE I. NAME. This Association shall be known as the Oregon Alpine Club , and its subdivisions as the Departments of the same. ARTICLE II. OBJECT. The object shall be the foundation and maintenance of a Public Museum, and advancement and encouragement of Amateur Photography, Alpine and Aquatic exploration, and the protection of our game, fish, birds and animals. ARTICLE III. SECTIONS. There shall be Four Departments, namely, (1) Ex ploration Department; (2) Photographic Department;

OFFICERS. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I NAME. This body shall be called the Exploration Department of the Oregon Alpine Club. ARTICLE II. OBJECT. To encourage the exploration of mountains, lakes and rivers, by either scientists or pleasure seekers, to foster pleasure outings by land or water, to award appropriate prizes for meritorious outfits for journeys and cruises, and for speedy trips on land, and swift cruises by water; and to conserve the handling of gun and sail as an accomplishment, and incide

[Not Organized.]...

OFFICERS. President , W. W. Bretherton Vice President , H. Goldsmith Secretary and Treasurer , E. E. Norton CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I. NAME. This association shall be known as the Photographic Department of the Oregon Alpine Club . ARTICLE II. OBJECT. Its object shall be to encourage and promote practical Photography, and to invite and stimulate discussion and investigation of all that pertains to Photographic science and art. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP. The Department shall be composed of such membe

Henry Winslow Corbett , the first president of the Oregon Alpine Club was elected immediately after its organization and served until the close of 1888. He was born at Westborough, Mass., February 18th, 1827, and came to Oregon, via Cape Horn, with a stock of general merchandise, arriving at Portland, March 4th, 1851. In 1866, he was elected U. S. Senator and served six years with credit to himself and honor to his State. He is one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Oregon. The follow

1853.— Adams, Mt. —Called by Winthrop, "Tacoma the Second,"—(Canoe and Saddle, page 48). 1889.—Called by the Indians "Pat-to," which signifies standing up high. With the Indians this was a general term for snow capped mountains. Located in latitude 46° 12' 14.1", longitude 121° 31' 08.3". 1775.— Adams Point. —Discovered by Heceta and called Cape Frondoso (Leafy Cape). 1792.—Capt. Gray subsequently entered the river and named it Point Adams.—(Life on Puget Sound,—Leighton, page 48. Pacific States