CLIFFORD, Baker County. Clifford was a stage station near the upper reaches of North Fork Burnt River on the stage road from Baker to Canyon City. It was a popular stopping place operated by Mr. and Mrs. Marsh Young. The Youngs were warm personal and political friends of Judge Morton D. Clifford and they named the place in his honor. Clifford post office was established March 10, 1894, with Nellie Clark first postmaster. The office was discontinued effective September 15, 1901, Morton D. Clifford was born in Iowa in 1859 and with his widowed mother came to Grant County in 1871. He attended school at Canyon City and read law under W. Lair Hill at The Dalles. He was a lifelong democrat. He served as district attorney and also as circuit judge until 1904 when he moved with his family to Baker. He had an extensive law practice from which he retired a few years before his death, which occurred in Portland on his 82nd birthday, May 22, 1941. Judge Clifford married Edith Haseltine in 1885.
CLIFTON, Clatsop County, Clifton was a settlement on the south bank of the Columbia River long before the railroad was built and at one time J. W. and V. Cook, pioneer salmon packers, had a cannery there. The name is descriptive of the cliffs above the river. Clifton post office was established January 6, 1874, with Vincent Cook first postmaster. J. H. Middleton, who was living near Waldport in 1927, and who went to Clifton in the fall of 1873, told the compiler that Clifton was the name of the farm of Stephen G. Spear, and that he was of the opinion that Spear named the place Clifton before the property came into the possession of J. W. and V. Cook. Members of the Cook family are also of the belief that Spear named the place before the Cooks became established there.
CLIFTON, Hood River County. This name has been applied to the locality about three miles west of Hood River, where the Columbia River Highway begins to drop down from the top of the well defined cliffs that characterize the place. The highway has an elevation at this point of about 250 feet above the river. Climax, Jackson County. Appeals for information about the name of this place brought an interesting letter from Mrs. Walter F. (Bertha B.) Charley of Central Point, who was postmaster at Climax from 1920 to 1933. In July, 1946, Mrs. Charley wrote in substance as follows: "The proposed post office at Climax was a popular project among the people of upper Antelope Creek valley, and the petition, circulated by John Wyland, was signed by every adult then living there. It seems that the word 'climax' was a favorite with this man, who stated that the climax of his efforts was a tee-total landslide.' He suggested that the post office, when established, be named Climax. The post office was first in the home of Jacob Worlow, Mrs. Worlow being the first postmistress. The office traveled about the community as new postmasters were appointed, and was in at least six different homes. Finally I was appointed in 1920, and was the last postmistress, serving until 1933, when the patrons dwindled to so few that the office was closed. The few people remaining in the settlement drive twenty-five miles to Medford for mail." According to postal records Climax office was established November 10, 1891, with Mary E. Worlow first postmaster. The office was closed August 11, 1933, with all papers to Eagle Point. The place is east of Medford.
CLINE FALLS, Deschutes County. Cline Falls are on the Deschutes
