nearby village of Linkville, now Klamath Falls. It was situated about two miles below Klamath Falls, on the west bank of Klamath River not far from the bridge for The Dalles-California Highway. The first post office was called Klamath. It was in service from June, 1872, to April, 1873, with Albert Handy postmaster. On April 9, 1873, the name of the office was changed to Lakeport, and Handy continued in office. On May 19, 1875, the name of the office was changed to Merganser. John P. Roberts was postmaster at the time. Merganser office was closed May 12, 1879. The name Merganser was selected because of some incident connected with the shooting of a merganser duck in the vicinity. The town petered out about 1880. For short history of this place, see Illustrated History of Central Oregon, page 983.
MERIDIAN, Marion County. Meridian is a crossroads locality about two miles south of Monitor, named because of its position on the Willamette Meridian. Meridian post office was established in October, 1900, with B. W. Otto first postmaster. The office was discontinued in October, 1903.
Meriwether, Clatsop County. Meriwether is a station east of Warrenton, and was platted with that title in 1896 by S. D. and Mary R. Adair, and was named for Captain Meriwether Lewis, because it was near the bay called Meriwether Bay by Lewis and Clark but now known as Youngs Bay. For additional information see under Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark River.
Merlin, Josephine County. David Loring, of Portland, for many years engaged in civil engineering in Oregon, and at one time in the employ of the railroad company building from Roseburg to Grants Pass, informed the compiler in August, 1927, that he named the community of Merlin for the merlins that he saw in the neighborhood about 1882. These birds were probably what are locally known as pigeon hawks. John G. Lanterman was the first postmaster.
Merrill, Klamath County. Merrill was named for Nathan S. Merrill, who was born in New Hampshire in 1836, and moved to California in 1869. He moved to Chehalis County, Washington, in 1881, and in 1890 settled at the present site of Merrill. He bought a ranch in the spring of 1894 and laid out part of the town of Merrill, which was named for him.
Merrill Creek, Columbia County. George Merrill. for whom this stream was named, was born in Ohio September 11, 1826, and came to Oregon with his parents in 1847. His father died on the overland journey. Merrill went to the California mines but returned to Oregon in 1850. In 1851 he married Ann Martin and settled on a donation land claim on Deer Island where he lived the rest of his life. Merrill was once assessor of Columbia County and served three terms as county clerk. He was an amateur geologist, naturalist, and botanist. He died at his home on Deer Island November 8, 1912, aged 86. His obituary is in the Oregonian, November 24, 1912. Merrill Creek rises in the hills west of Deer Island and drains eastward to the Columbia River.
Mesa Creek, Lane County. So named because it heads near Rock Mesa, south of the Three Sisters. Mesa is Spanish for table.
Metlako Falls, Hood River County. These falls are on Eagle Creek. They were named for an Indian legendary goddess of the salmon.
Metolius River, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. Three of the
