Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/532



the roads branched and the road for the Canyon City coaches went by way of Antelope, Cold Camp, Burnt River and Mitchell, while the other road to Prineville went from Bakeoven to the head of Cow Canyon and then through Cross Keys and Hay Creek. Mrs. Bolton says that when she was a little girl there was a post office at Ridgeway and that she used to ride a horse to get the mail. The reason for the name is easily explained. The road, after it left Bakeoven, went along a rather high ridge until it reached the head of Cow Canyon, and it was by reason of this ridge that the office got the name Ridgeway, and the area out there is still called the Ridgeway country, though the post office has long since been abandoned."

RIDGEWAY BUTTE, Linn County. This butte, east of Lebanon, was named for a pioneer settler, James Ridgeway. The name Chamberlain Butte is incorrect.

RIETH, Umatilla County. When the railroad company constructed new shops and terminals west of Pendleton, the station was named Rieth after a family of pioneer settlers who owned land nearby. The postal authorities named the post office Reith. This discrepancy in spelling prevailed for some time until the writer made an investigation of the matter, and found that local opinion was in favor of Rieth, and the post office name was accordingly changed. For obituary of Louis Rieth, one of the two brothers who owned the land where the town now stands, see the Oregonian, September 23, 1926.

RIGDON GUARD STATION, Lane County. This guard station on the Middle Fork Willamette River, was once the site of a station or stand of Steve Rigdon of Pleasant Hill. During the times of the emigrations he traded there with the pioneers. Riggs MEADOW, Lane County. This meadow is just northwest of Odell Lake. Dee Wright of Eugene informed the compiler that it was named for Dave Riggs, a sheep man of central Oregon, who pastured his flocks nearby. Riley, Harney County. William Hanley of Burns told the compiler that this place was named for Amos Riley, an early stockman. Archie McGowan, also of Burns, wrote the compiler as follows: "This rural post office was named about 1885 for Riley of Riley and Hardin. Prior to the birth of Riley post office there was an office located about 75 miles north and west named Hardin, which was named for Mr. Hardin of this firm, so it was suggested by residents of Silver Creek that the new office be named Riley."

RILEY CREEK, Curry County. Riley Creek flows under the Oregon Coast Highway at Gold Beach. It was named for Judge Michael Riley, who was born in New York state in 1827 and came to Curry County in 1853. He was a well-known pioneer citizen. He served as sheriff and also in the state legislature. For many years he was county judge of Curry County. Additional biographical information will be found in Dodge's Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties. Riley Creek is about a quarter of a mile south of the main part of Gold Beach. The stream should not be confused with Dean Creck which flows through the main part of town. Ringo Point, Clackamas County. In pioneer days a locality about 15 miles southeast of Oregon City was called the Ringo settlement, named for the Ringo family. It was near the place that was later called Clarke. Ringo Point post office was established May 16, 1876, with