Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/396



famous natural stone bridge, by which the Applegate party crossed Lost River on July 6, 1846, may be seen near Merrill. The rocks were submerged when seen by the compiler, and seemed more like a series of stepping stones than a natural bridge. See Bancroft's History of Oregon, volume I, page 548, and OHQ, volume XXII, page 24. A dam of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation has been built at the natural bridge and the stones are covered. Lost River was discovered by Fremont early in May, 1846, and named McCrady River for a boyhood friend, but that name did not prevail. There was a pioneer post office called Lost River on or near this stream, probably at the Horton ranch above Olene. It was in service from February, 1875, to April, 1876, with W. H. Horton postmaster. Lost VALLEY, Wheeler County. The compiler has not been able to get definite information about the origin of the name Lost Valley other than it is supposed that the valley was named because some soldiers lost their way in it during the early Indian wars in eastern Oregon. Many years ago the Oregonian contained the following news item: "Lost Valley, Gilliam County, is looking forward with unmitigated delight to a grand ball next Friday night at which time William D. Johnson, of Lost Valley, will be united in marriage to Miss Edith Waddle, of Thirtymile. Tickets to the ball, including the wedding supper and horse feed, are going freely at $1.50 per couple." This social affair apparently took place before Wheeler County was established in 1899.

LOSTINE, Wallowa County. Lostine is a town on Lostine River in the Wallowa Valley. Local authorities wrote the compiler in 1927 that the place was named by a pioneer settler for Lostine, Kansas. The meaning of the name Lostine is unknown to the compiler. Lostine was a place in Lowell Township, Cherokee County, Kansas. The census of 1870 gives it as a post office for farmers. The post office was discontinued before 1880 and the name does not appear in modern gazetteers. Lostine, Oregon, is an important trading center and does not seem to be headed for the fate that met Lostine, Kansas. The post office at Lostine, Oregon, was established August 6, 1878, with W. R. Laughlin first postmaster.

LOSTINE RIVER, Wallowa County. This stream has been called South Fork and also Middle Fork Wallowa River, but local use is in favor of Lostine River, and the USBGN has adopted that name. See under LOSTINE.

LOTTA CRATER, Deschutes County. This crater is on the northwest slope of Black Crater. It was named for John Lotta, who discovered Lost Creek Canyon. See Mount Multnomah, page 112,

LOUSE CREEK, Josephine County. This creek north of Grants Pass was originally so called because of an Indian camp on its banks that was infested with vermin. Sporadic efforts have been made to change the name to something more romantic, such as Grouse Creek, but there does not appear to be much steam behind such movements.

LOUSIGNONT LAKE, Washington County. Lousignont Lake, now almost entirely drained, is about five miles northwest of Forest Grove. It bears the name of a pioneer family of the county. Lousignont Creek northwest of Timber was named for the same family.

LOVELY, Wallowa County. Lovely post office was established May 10, 1902, with Sarah A. Lovely postmaster. It was situated about three miles northeast of Minam and operated until June, 1907. The place was named for Walter Lovely who homesteaded there.