IRONSIDE, Malheur County. The name Ironside was first applied in 1891. It is said that J. M. Young, who was the first postmaster, suggested the name of the post office. The name was chosen because of the proximity of Ironside Mountain, the most prominent geographical feature nearby.
IRONSIDE MOUNTAIN, Malheur County. This is the most important landmark in the north part of the county. The highest point is 7804 feet above the sea. It is so called because of its iron-like appearance.
IRRIGON, Morrow County. Irrigon is near the site of Grande Ronde Landing, a former rival of Umatilla. For information about these places see under UMATILLA. Later the place was called Stokes, and it was a station on the railroad with that name even after Irrigon post office was established. Irrigon post office was established November 16, 1903, with Frank B. Holbrook first postmaster. Addison Bennett made up the name of the place from the words Oregon and Irrigation. Irrigon was the scene of a promising irrigation enterprise, hence Bennett's style of name. He was editor of the first newspaper in the place, called the Oregon Irrigator, later the Irrigon Irrigator, its initial number appearing January 27, 1904. After various ventures in the newspaper business, he served for many years as a staff writer on the Oregonian and died in Portland, September 30, 1924. Stokes post office was in operation from May 26, 1897, until April 25, 1899, with Douglas W. Bailey postmaster.
IRVING GLACIER, Lane County. Dr. E. T. Hodge of the University of Oregon gave the name Irving Glacier to a small glacier between Middle Sister and South Sister. This was in commemoration of Washington Irving, the author of Astoria and The Adventures of Captain Bonneville.
ISLAND CITY, Union County. Island City got its name because it is on an island formed by a slough which leaves Grande Ronde River west of the town and rejoins the river several miles to the east. The slough is south of the main stream. Isolate, Douglas County. Isolate was named because of its isolation, and apparently well-named at that. The office was near Days Creek (stream) about ten or twelve miles northeast of Canyonville, near the northwest corner of township 30 south, range 3 west. Isolate post office was established April 17, 1917, with Thomas F. Epping first postmaster. The office was closed to Days Creek office on April 30, 1919.
ISTHMUS SLOUGH, Coos County. Isthmus Slough was known as Wapello Slough in pioneer days, but the name was changed because the slough led to the isthmus over which there was a trail to Beaver Slough, a tributary of Coquille River. The isthmus lies east of Isthmus Slough. East of the isthmus are Ross Slough, Catching Slough and the mouth of Coos River. A post office named Isthmus was established in the vicinity of Isthmus Slough December 11, 1871, with Gilbert Hall postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Utter City February 11, 1875. The office was closed June 22, 1880. Utter City was named for the Utter brothers, who operated a coal mine. Iyan, Klamath County. Ivan station on the Southern Pacific Company railroad between Klamath Falls and the California state line is said to have been named shortly after the railroad was built. The compiler has been unable to get confirmed information, but several sources, generally reliable, are of the opinion that the station was named for Ivan Daniels. Daniels was a railroad employee, probably a pump expert, who is said to have been killed in a tunnel accident not far from the state line.
