established in June, 1927, some years after the railroads were built in the canyon. J. C. McCurdy was the first postmaster. The place was not listed in the Postal Guide in the fall of 1933.
NORTH MINAM RIVER, Union and Wallowa counties. This important tributary of Minam River heads in Steamboat Lake. The name North Fork River is incorrect.
NORTH PLAINS, Washington County. The name North Plains is used for a post office in the northern part of Tualatin Valley. This locality was known in pioneer times as North Plains, and the office gets its name from that source. Stories to the effect that a farmer named Nord lived hereabouts and gave his name to the plains do not appear to be founded on fact, for the plains were known as North Plains long before any settler of that name lived thereon.
NORTH PORTLAND. Multnomah County. This post office was established March 24, 1910, and was named because of its position in respect to Portland. The first postmaster was Vaughn D. Crosby. It is said that the name was suggested by a representative of Swift & Company, which concern operated a large meat packing plant in the community. The post office of North Portland serves a large industrial area near North Portland Harbor.
NORTH PORTLAND HARBOR, Multnomah County. North Portland Harbor lies between Hayden Island and the flats north of St. Johns. The harbor is really a branch of the Columbia River. For many years it was known as Oregon Slough but at the request of Portland commercial interests the name was changed to North Portland Harbor because of the rapidly developing activity of that part of Portland. The
USBGN approved the change.
NORTH POWDER, Union County. North Powder took its name from North Powder River, a tributary of Powder River. For the origin of the name of Powder River see under that heading. North Powder was a pioneer station. James M. De Moss is said to have been the founder of the stage station. See under De Moss. Maps of Lewis and Clark show North Powder River as Ta-kin-par. North Powder post office was established December 2, 1866, with Joseph Austin first postmaster. North SANTIAM RIVER, Linn and Marion counties. This is the correct name of the main tributary of Santiam River, and not North Fork. South Santiam River is the correct name of the other important branch that combines with North Santiam River near Jefferson to form the main stream. See under SANTIAM RIVER. The principal tributary of North Santiam River is Little North Santiam River, not Little North Fork. North SCAPPOOSE CREEK, Columbia River. This is the correct name of the main north tributary of Scappoose Creek, not North Fork. See under SCAPPOOSE CREEK.
NORTH Sister, Deschutes and Lane counties. This is the fourth highest mountain in Oregon, and has an elevation of 10.094 feet. The Three Sisters have been so known since pioneer days, but the compiler has been unable to find out who first used the name. There is an old story to the effect that in early days the three peaks were known as Faith, Hope and Charity, the North Sister being Mount Faith. These names have not prevailed. See under THREE Sisters, North TENMILE LAKE, Coos and Douglas counties. This lake is known by the name given, and also by the name North Lake. The
