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

China Camp Spring. Wheeler County.

China Camp Spring is near Day Basin Road, Wheeler County. The spring feds into E. Birch Creek. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Day Basin, Oregon, 1980.

China Hat Creek. Wheeler County.

China Hat Creek flows easterly into Hide and Seek Creek, itself joining the John Day River near the community of Kimberly. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Kimberly Oregon, 1995.

China Hat Peak. Wheeler County.

China Hat Peak stands 3164 feet above sea level just northeast of China Hat Creek. Its name is derived from its shape appearing similar to the farmer-style hat (as compared to the peasant or conical –style hat) worn by newly arrived Chinese immigrants. Reference: U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Kimberly Oregon, 1995. Photo.

References

U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Day Basin, Oregon, 1980.

_______. Quadrangle 7.5’ series, Kimberly, Oregon, 1995.

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.