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. 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. 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. 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: U.S.G.S.
Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Squaw Butte, Oregon, 1980; .McDannold 2000: 185.
Rose Valley Borax Company. Harney County.
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.
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.
