DEER ISLAND, Columbia County. Deer Island, in the Columbia River, was named by Lewis and Clark. They first visited the island on November 5, 1805, on their way down the Columbia, and again on March 28, 1806, on their return. It was on the second visit that the party had good luck getting venison. Captain Lewis noted in his diary that the Indian name for the island was E-lal-lar, or Deer Island. The compiler is unable to identify this Indian word. The town of Deer Island, which is on the mainland, was named for the island.
DEERING, Josephine County. In June, 1948, Fred Ahlberg was kind enough to write the compiler that Deering post office was situated in the southeast quarter of section 11, township 41 south, range 9 west, in the extreme southwest part of Josephine County and about a mile and a half north of the California state line. This location is about a quarter-mile east of the Redwood Highway. The post office was established in November, 1902, and was discontinued in December, 1908. David S. Webb was the only postmaster. The compiler is of the opinion that Deering post office was named for the Deering school nearby and the school was named for a family of early settlers. In July, 1948, L. C. Moffitt, Josephine County school superintendent, wrote that he got this information from Lincoln Savage, who was superintendent about 1900.
DEL NORTE, Harney County. Del Norte is a Spanish expression meaning of or from the north. On July 12, 1888, a post office named Del Norte was established in Harney County, with Francis M. Jordan first and only postmaster. The office was discontinued July 20, 1889, with papers to Burns. In September, 1946, Archie McGowan of Burns told the compiler that Del Norte post office was in the vicinity of Saddle Butte a few miles northwest of Crane. The Jordan family lived at a place generally called the Crossing, on Malheur Slough, and moved away many years ago. No one in the locality appears to know just why the post office name was selected.
DELAINE, Lake County. Delaine post office was established August 5, 1912, with Walter S. Lyon first and only postmaster. The office was closed to Plush on August 15, 1913. The place was in section 9, township 35 south, range 26 east, and east of the Warner Valley. It is now in the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. This post office was named for the Delaine sheep, as Lyon ran sheep of that breed in the area. Dr. John Leonard Lyon of Lakeview was a partner in the enterprise and a brother of the postmaster. Delaine is a word that has been used to describe a number of things. It refers to a fine dress goods, and also to a superior type of soft wool. Delaine Merino sheep were developed in southwestern Pennsylvania and in areas in the neighboring states of West Virginia and Ohio.
DELAKE, Lincoln County. A. C. Deuel, postmaster at Delake in 1925, told the writer that Delake was the name agreed upon by himself and Judge Frank L. Mann, a Lincoln County resident, because it was the way many local Finnish people pronounced Devils Lake. Delake post office is near Devils Lake. It was established in January, 1924.
DELENA, Columbia County. Delena is on the Columbia River Highway east of Clatskanie. Postal records show that Delena post office was established April 22, 1892, with Lincoln J. Meserve first of nine postmasters. The office was discontinued March 15, 1922, although its operation was not continous for the three decades indicated. In November, 1947, W. N. Meserve of Grays River, Washington, wrote the compiler
