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returned to the United States in 1818. The name Astoria was gradually restored with pioneer settlement. Attention is called to the fact that the first trading post at Astoria is sometimes called Fort Astor rather than Astoria. The compiler has never found any authority for the name Fort Astor. Lewis and Clark hibernated on what is now known as Lewis and Clark River, a few miles southwest of the present city of Astoria. Their camp was called Fort Clatsop. The city of Astoria is situated on a peninsula between the Columbia River on the north and Youngs Bay on the south, and the high ridge in between is known as Coxcomb Hill. It has an extreme elevation of 595 feet at the bench mark in the base of the Astor Column. Astoria post office was established on March 9. 1847, with John M. Shively first postmaster. This was the first American post office on the Pacific Coast. Statements to the effect that the first post office at Astoria was in the John Adair house do not seem to be correct. General Adair got to Astoria in April, 1849, more than two years after the post office was established. On April 10, 1852, General Adair wrote to Joseph Lane as follows: "When I came to the country, or shortly after, you know Shively, who was postmaster and resided on the hill at Fort George, left for the mines, leaving no one to take care of the office. ... McClure, who was one of Shively's bondsmen, would not allow a mail bag to go into his house and demanded of the P.M. Genl an immediate release as surety. I consented to take the poor bantling." John Adair became postmaster on November 8, 1849; Butler Anderson on November 11, 1850, and Sam'l A. Seymore on May 27, 1852. These data are from postal records at Washington, D. C.
ATHENA, Umatilla County. This town is about half way between Walla Walla and Pendleton. For many years it was known as Centerville. The name caused confusion with Centerville in Washington County, and also with Centerville in Klickitat County, Washington. In 1889 the town authorities decided on a change and asked D. W. Jarvis, local school principal, to suggest a new name. Jarvis, being of a romantic and classical turn of mind, suggested Athena, which was adopted. Athena was one of the most important goddesses of Greek mythology, and with Zeus and Apollo represented the embodiment of all divine power. She was the goddess of counsel, war, female arts and industries. In Italy she was known as Minerva. The post office of Centerville was established October 11, 1878, with Wm. T. Cook as first postmaster. The name was changed to Athena May 16, 1889.
ATHEY CANYON, Polk County. This canyon is on the west slope of Eola Hills about two miles northeast of McCoy. It was named for a pioneer family of the north Willamette Valley.
ATTWELL CREEK, Hood River County. This stream near Cascade Locks was named for Roger G. Attwell and his wife Mary, pioneer settlers. Attwell was born in New York City and arrived in Oregon in August, 1852. He settled near the present site of Cascade Locks on April 12, 1853. See land office certificate 5041.
ATWOOD, Morrow County. When Atwood post office was established on October 22, 1883, it was on the Umatilla County list. Morrow County had not yet been organized. Henry C. Thompson was the first postmaster. With a short intermission this office ran along until November 20, 1888. Whether it was always in what is now Morrow County the compiler cannot tell. It was on Butter Creek which, in that locality, is very close
