Oregon's Chinese Heritage: A Legacy of Places: Harney County

China Cap Mine. Harney County.

China Cap Mine is a group of open pits in an area characterized by many prospects. It is a cinnabar (ore of mercury) mine, more recently known as Horsehead Mountain Mine. The China Cap portion of the place name is likely derived from the conical shape of a nearby peak. The peak’s shape is similar to that of the peasant-style hat worn by Chinese in the 1800's. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Goose Egg Butte, Oregon, 1986.

China Hill. Harney County.

China Hill is approximately two miles south of the community of Venator near Crane Creek. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Venator, Oregon, 1986.

China Hill Reservoir. Harney County.

China Hill Reservoir is on the eastern flank of China Hill. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Venator, Oregon, 1986.

China Lake. Harney County.

China Lake is an intermittent body of water covering about one square mile during the rainy season. It is approximately two miles northwest of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Chinese were known to collect various types of evaporate minerals such as borax from dry lakes in California. Reference: McDannold 2000: 185; U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Squaw Butte, Oregon, 1980.

Rose Valley Borax Company. Harney County.

Rose Valley Borax Company (1898-1907) was located on Borax Lake, also known as Hot Lake, about 5.5 miles southeast of Sharps Peak and 7.0 miles northeast of the community of Fields. The borax harvesting and processing operation employed an all-Chinese labor force. They were from Nevada, being provided by a Chinese labor contractor in that state. Reference: Shaffer and Baxter 1972: 235-237.

References .

McDannold, Thomas. 2000. California’s Chinese Heritage: A Legacy of Places. Stockton, California. Heritage West Books.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. 2010. http://www.deq.state.or.us/ Accessed November 8, 2010.

Shaffer, Leslie L.D. and Richard P. Baxter. 1972. “Oregon Borax: Twenty Mule Team-Rose Valley History.” Oregon Historical Quarterly. September: 228-244.

U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Goose Egg Butte, Oregon, 1986.

_______. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Squaw Butte, Oregon, 1980.

_______. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Venator, Oregon, 1986.

Change/Create a Place Name

To change an inappropriate place name or create a place name of a
natural feature, the following is suggested:

1. Document its
history (written/oral records, photographs, maps, etc.).

2. Garner local
support (petitions, organization endorsements, official support
letters, etc.).

3. Learn about the
Oregon Geographic Names Board:

https://www.ohs.org/about-us/affiliates-and-partners/oregon-geographic-names-board/index.cfm

4. Complete the Name
Proposal Form:

https://www.ohs.org/about-us/affiliates-and-partners/oregon-geographic-names-board/upload/DGNR_Name-Proposal-Form.pdf

5. Mail the form and
supporting documentation to:

Oregon
Geographic Names Board

Oregon Historical Society

1200
S.W. Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

About me

I am Professor Emeritus who has spend the last 35 years researching the Chinese in California, Oregon and Washington State from the mid 1800's to mid 1900's. Since graduate school in the early 1970's, I have been involved with the Chinese community, to include serving as the president of the Southern California Chinese Historical Society. After one of many presentations about the Chinese legacy, an elderly Chinese woman said "Thank you--you have given me a history." The comment prompted me to create this site which is a companion to California's Chinese Heritage and Washington State's Chinese Heritage.