China Creek is an
intermittent stream approximately 5.5 miles in length that extends from the
town of Arlington southeast through Alkali Canyon. It was initially known as
China Ditch. See China Ditch, Gilliam County. Reference: U.S.G.S. quadrangle
7.5’ series, Arlington, Oregon/Washington, 1971.
China Creek Golf Course. Gilliam
County.
The 18 hole golf course
derives its name from nearby China Creek. Reference: http://www.golflink.com/
China Ditch. Gilliam
County.
Chinese laborers
constructed a drainage ditch adjacent to the Condon branch of the Union Pacific
Railroad tracks in 1904. The canal, trending southeast, goes through the town
of Arlington and Alkali Canyon. Subsequently, a Chinese family operated a
laundry next to the ditch, causing it to be known as China Ditch. Reference:
McArthur and McArthur 2003: 198-199.
References
China Creek Golf Course.
http://www.golflink.com/ Accessed 3/24/2012.
McArthur, Lewis A. and
Lewis L. McArthur. 2003. Oregon Geographic Names. 7th ed. Portland,
Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press.
U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’
series, Arlington, Oregon/Washington, 1971.