How Did It Get That Name?
One of the many fun things about living in Washington State is all the interesting names of places. Did you ever wonder about any names you've come across? Me, too.
How many of you have passed road or town signs in your travels and wondered about names? I do it constantly. That's sometimes what interests me in finding out about a place. So I've compiled a little info on some of my favorite place names in Washington State - most of them are from our Native American Heritage. Hope you enjoy reading about them.
Question: If you read my Roslyn article you remember that's where Northern Exposure was filmed. But do you know how Roslyn got its name?
Answer: Coal mining and railroad efforts gave the town its start. The Northern Pacific Company owned every-other section of land around, but the town was actually platted by Logan M. Bullitt. Roslyn was named after his sweetheart in Roslyn, Delaware. (Another reliable source says Roslyn, New York.)
Q: This Washington town name was founded by locals who thought it was an Indian word but later discovered it is the name of a Frenchman. What is it?
A: Pe Ell (pee-ELL) was mispronounced by the natives' interpretation of Pierre. Pierre Charles, formerly of Hudson's Bay, ran horses in the region and the Indians named the prairie after him.
Q: Lots of folks think this town was named by a survey marker, a railroad engine or a boxcar. What is this town I've previously written about?
A: Tenino (ti-NEYE-noh) was named before the railroad hit town by the Chinook Indians. In their jargon the name means "fork" or "junction." The name was a point on an old Indian trail and was expanded to a military trail during the Indian Wars.
Q: This town had several names before one was finally settled on. It's also the name of a mountain, creek and valley in Washington. What is it?
A: If only the settlers could see it now. It's really changed. Issaquah (IS-uh-kwah) was originally named from an Indian word, "isquowh," meaning unknown. The town was originally Squak, a mispronunciation of the Indian name; then it was named Gilman for a mine operator. Olney and Englewood were other names. The present name was decided in 1890.
Q: This town's name came from the Twana Indians. I have no question to base it on here, so I guess you'll just have to read the answer!
A: The name Quilcene (Kwil-seen) came from the Twana Indian word "quil-ceed-o-bish" which means "salt-water people."
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