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

China Hollow. Sherman County.

By the mid-1800's, Chinese were appearing in this area of the northern branch of the Oregon Trail. Chinese may have occupied the valley when pioneers from Appalachia moved along the Oregon Trail, giving the valley the place name. Use of the word “hollow” to describe a small valley was common among people from the Appalachian Mountains. Reference: “Appalachian English”; “The Story of Sherman County.”

China Hollow Creek. Sherman County.

The creek flowing through China Hollow has a southeast to northwest orientation and is about one mile northwest of the town of Wasco. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Biggs Junction, Oregon, 1980.

China Hollow Road. Sherman County.

China Hollow Road follows China Hollow Creek and is north of the town of Wasco. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Biggs Junction, Oregon, 1980.

China Hollow School. Sherman County.

China Hollow School was on China Hollow Road between the towns of Wasco and Rufus. The original structure, built in 1881, was replaced in 1897, and closed in 1917. Reference: Ancestry.

References

Ancestry. http://boards.ancestry.com/. Accessed July 18, 2014.

“Appalachian English.” Wikipedia. http://www.en.wikipedia.org/ Accessed November 13, 2010.

“The Story of Sherman County.” Sherman County Historical Museum. http://www.shermanmuseum.org/ Accessed November 13, 2010.

U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Biggs Junction, Oregon, 1980.

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.