LAPOVER LAKE, Wallowa County. Lapover Lake, which is in section 27, township 3 south, range 43 east, is named for the Lapover Cabin on Lostine River. The cabin was named because an addition to the original structure lapped over the main part of the building.
LARAUT, Douglas County. Postal records show that Laraut postoffice was established June 16, 1890, with Narcisse LaRaut postmaster, and was closed March 19, 1891, with all papers to Wilbur. The LaRaut home was about eight or ten miles west of Wilbur and near the Umpqua River. In February, 1946, Kenneth F. Barneburg of Wilbur dug up some history of the office, which was apparently never in actual operation. Mr. Barneburg located Narcisse LaRaut, Jr., then living in Salem, who reported that the elder LaRaut received a supply of stamps and other equipment but for some reason the office was not operated.
LARCH, Yamhill County. This office named for the forest tree was established at the Summit House station on the Trask toll road seventeen miles west of Yamhill. Miss Clara Rhude was the only postmaster the place ever had. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Rhude, who operated the Summit House. In addition to post office duties Miss Rhude helped cook and in general house keeping and in making a dozen beds for travelers and residents. It is reported that the post office was established to provide a legal but fictitious and temporary address for persons proving up on homesteads. The Summit House was built in 1889 by Martin T. Record and was in use for many years after the post office was closed. See McMinnville Telephone-Register, September 5, 1946, page 1, for news story and picture. Postal records show that Larch post office was established September 9, 1891, and was closed February 10, 1894, with papers to Byersville. It is more than probable that the name Larch was used because of the presence of the noble fir rather than of any of the true larches.
