GARRISON LAKE, Curry County. This lake is shown on some maps as Garrison Lagoon, but the generally accepted name is Garrison Lake, and that style has been adopted by the USBGN. In 1931 Louis L. Knapp of Port Orford wrote the compiler that the lake was named for a pioneer settler, one Garrison, who was a member of the Tichenor party. Statements to the effect that the lake was named because U.S. troops were stationed nearby in 1851-56 do not appear to be correct.
GARWOOD BUTTE, Douglas County. Garwood Butte bears the name of Leroy E. Garwood, one-time administrative officer of the Umpqua National Forest, who died in March, 1944. The butte, which has an elevation of 7027 feet, is about seven miles west of Diamond Lake. It was formerly called Bear Butte, a name of no distinction. The name was changed in honor of Garwood by the U.S. Board on Geographical Names early in 1946.
GASCO, Multnomah County. This is a station between Portland and Linnton. It was named for the Portland Gas & Coke Company whose plant is nearby.
GASTON, Washington County. Joseph Gaston emigrated to Oregon from Ohio in 1862 and actively promoted the west side railroad southwest of Portland, which was built by Holladay and Villard. He built the narrow gage line from Dayton to Sheridan in 1878. He wrote and published histories of Portland and of Oregon. He died July 20, 1913, aged 79 years. Gaston was named for him.
GATCH Falls, Linn County. These falls are on Marion Creek, a tributary of North Santiam River. They were named in 1874 by a Marion County road party under the leadership of John Minto, for Professor Thomas M. Gatch, afterward president of Oregon Agricultural College, and a well-known pioneer educator.
GATE CREEK, Lane County. This creek is tributary to McKenzie River near Vida. It was named in early days because of a tollgate nearby. Gate Creek post office was established December 30, 1874, with Thomas M. Martin postmaster. It was discontinued on September 30, 1880, and reestablished May 29, 1891, with Benjamin F. Finn postmaster. The office was again discontinued on July 22, 1895, and again reestablished January 22, 1897. On December 3 of that year the name of the office was changed to Elliston. Elliston post office was discontinued in March, 1900.
GATE CREEK, Wasco County. Gate Creek is a tributary of White River. It was named because one of the Barlow Road tollgates was built near the stream. See OHQ, volume XXV, page 167.
GATES, Marion County. The post office which serves Gates was originally on the south side of North Santiam River and was therefore in Linn County. The office was established in February, 1882, with the name Henness and with Mrs. Jane Henness first postmaster. The name was changed to Rock Creek on August 23, 1883. About 1892, W. R. Robertson, then postmaster, moved the post office across the river to a place called Gatesville and the name of the office was changed to Gates. This was in honor of Mrs. Mary Gates, one of the oldest settlers in the vicinity. The name Gatesville was first applied to the place about 1888. Mrs. J. P. McCurdy, postmaster at Gates in 1925, wrote the compiler as follows: "There was much opposition to the adoption of the new name of Gates by the older settlers who wished to retain the name of
