Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/297



GRIBBLE PRAIRIE, Clackamas County. This prairie is a well-known locality about four miles southeast of Aurora, It was named for John G. Gribble, who was born on the line between North and South Carolina in 1799 and after migrating to Missouri, came to Oregon in 1846. He settled near Macksburg in 1847 on a donation land claim, and his name was applied to the prairie in consequence. He died June 3, 1869. For additional information, see Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, pages 393 and 853.

GRICE HILL, Polk County. Grice Hill is in the Eola Hills about three miles northwest of Salem. It has an elevation of about 550 feet. It was named for L. Grice, a nearby land owner. There was a pioneer quarry on the east part of this hill from which a good deal of building stone was taken for construction in Salem. This was before the days of concrete.

GRIFFIN CANYON, Wheeler County. This gulch is tributary to Dry Hollow, south of Fossil. Sometimes it is shown as Griffith Canyon, but in 1931 a correspondent in Fossil wrote the compiler that Griffin was correct. This was confirmed by W. H. Steiwer of Fossil in February, 1944, who said that the canyon was named for Tom Griffin.

GRIFFIN CREEK, Baker County. The locality of Griffin Creek just southwest of Baker was one of the most prominent places in the early history of northeastern Oregon. It was close to this stream that Henry Griffin and others struck pay dirt on the evening of October 23, 1861. This may be considered the beginning of placer mining in that section of the state and there was a good deal of subsequent activity, including the rise and fall of the town of Auburn. For the history of the discovery, see History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, page 142. The stream was of course named for the prospector.

GRIFFIN CREEK, Jackson County. This stream rises in the mountains south of Medford and flows northward to join Bear Creek not far from Central Point. It was named for Captain B. B. Griffin, a pioneer of 1848, who settled in the Rogue River Valley in 1852. Griffin is the correct spelling Grizzly, Jefferson County. This post office was established about 1890, with Elsie Edmund first postmaster. It was named for Grizzly Mountain, a prominent butte about four miles to the southeast. GrizzLY MOUNTAIN, Crook County. W. P. Vandevert of Bend in 1926 told the compiler that Grizzly Mountain received its name in the '70s because of its grizzled color, and not because of any adventure with a grizzly bear.

GROSSMAN, Wallowa County. Grossman post office got its name from Grossman Creek. It was situated about four miles southwest of Promise. The office was established in December, 1904, with Rhoda A. Pool, postmaster, and was closed in March, 1921.

GROSSMAN CREEK, Wallowa County. Grossman Creek was named for a pioneer trapper. He died many years ago near what is now Rondowa. Grossman Creek is about ten miles north of Minam.

GROUSE, Wallowa County. This community is in the extreme north part of the county. It was at one time a post office. The place has also been known as Grouse Flat. In earlier days there were many grouse in the neighborhood. Grouse post office was established January 28, 1896, with Samuel M. Silver first postmaster.

GROUSE Hill, Crater Lake National Park, Klamath County. Grouse Hill is a prominent feature north of Crater Lake, and has an elevation