Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/640

 10, 1853. For an account of this meeting by Colonel James W. Nesmith, see OHQ, volume VII, page 211.

UTOPIA, Wallowa County. The post office at Utopia was on the homestead of Charles N. Walker in section 24, township 4 north, range 42 east. Walker was not only a homesteader but also a schoolteacher and was so impressed with the surrounding country that he named the office for Sir Thomas More's imaginary paradise on earth. Utopia post office was established May 4, 1905, with Aurelia M. Walker postmaster, and it operated until May, 1911. The place was on Middle Point between Wallupa and Wildcat creeks about two miles southeast of Promise, and the name of the office at Promise may have suggested the name Utopia.

UTTER CITY, Coos County. In January, 1946, Mrs. Mary M. Randleman of Coquille, who has an extensive knowledge of Coos County history, wrote the compiler as follows: "There were two brothers, Fred and William Utter, residents of San Francisco, who opened the Dale and Utter coal mine about a mile south of Coaledo. They had large holdings in Contra Costa County, but resided in Utter City while operating the mine here. Utter City was about a mile south of the Coos City bridge. The town was never recorded so it is hard to locate it geographically. Mr. Utter built the Isthmus Transit railroad from Coaledo to Uiter City where the coal was put in bunkers and eventually shipped to San Francisco. Henry Sengstacken came from San Francisco to serve as bookkeeper, and store manager. There was a store, post office, hotel, brewery and a number of houses." Utter City was on Isthmus Slough south of the town of Coos Bay. A post office with the name Isthmus was established December 11, 1871, with Gilbert Hall postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Utter City on June 26, 1876, and the office was discontinued June 22, 1880. The compiler is told that the ravages of time have obliterated the community.

Vale, Malheur County. The compiler has never been able to learn who named this place or for what reason. Vale is on the Malheur River, but its surroundings do not suggest a vale in the concise meaning of that word. Vale post office was established February 20, 1883, with Henry C. Murray first postmaster.

VALFONTIS, Polk County. This was a pioneer post office which eventually passed from the picture. Valfontis office was established September 29, 1854, with Andrew J. Doak postmaster. C. C. Walker became postmaster June 12, 1855. The origin of its name has not transpired, though its meaning may be surmised. It was just another term for Spring Valley. Doak and Walker had claims close to the present site of Lincoln, a community at the east edge of Spring Valley, and Valfontis office was in that neighborhood. The office was discontinued in August, 1865.

VALLEY, Columbia County. Valley was the name given to a locality and post office about eight miles by road east of Pittsburg, where the road crossed Clatskanie River. There was a vale of sorts and Omar C. Spencer says that was the reason for the name. Valley post office was established April 23, 1895, with Catherine Dupont postmaster. The office was discontinued March 20, 1905. The office was a little to the west of the place later called Trenholm.

VALLEY FALLS, Lake County. C. W. E. Jennings named this com-