sent into southern Oregon under the command of Major Enoch Steen, U.S.A. Steen reached the mountain that now bears his name early in August, and drove a band of Snake Indians over its summit. See Bancroft's History of Oregon, volume II, page 467. The name Steens Mountain has been in general use ever since, although it is frequently misspelled Steins Mountain. The USBGN has adopted the form Steens Mountain. The mountain is the highest in southeastern Oregon, and is much longer north and south than east and west. Its east face is a notable escarpment that extends for 5000 feet above Alvord Valley. Enoch Steen was born in Kentucky, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the mounted rangers in 1832. He reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel on September 28, 1861, retired from the army on September 23, 1863, and died January 22, 1880. He was brevetted major in 1847 for gallant conduct in the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico.
STEINMAN, Jackson County. Steinman station south of Ashland was named about the time the railroad was built, for Ben Steinman, a jeweler, pawnbroker and money lender of Sacramento. He was wellknown to railroad officials and employees, who wished to perpetuate his memory in a kindly way by naming a station for him.
STEINNON CREEK, Coos County. This stream, which is southeast of Coos Bay town, flows south from Blue Ridge. In 1929 S. B. Cathcart of Coos Bay told the compiler that it was named for a Belgian farmer who settled nearby about 1900.
STEPHENS, Douglas County. Stephens is a place on Calapooya Creek about four miles west of Sutherlin and was named for a local family well known in those parts. Stephens post office was established January 6, 1890, with Mrs. Eliza Ottinger postmaster. The office operated until October 31, 1912, when it was closed out to Oakland. Stephens was never a large community. The post office list for Umpqua County contains the name of an office called Stephensville, which operated in the late '50s with Winslow P. Powers postmaster. This list appears to be for that part of Umpqua County which was added to Douglas County in 1862. It may be that Stephensville was an early name for what was later Stephens.
STERLING CREEK, Jackson County. There have been a number of geographic features in southwest Jackson County with Sterling as part of the name, including Sterling Peak, Sterling Creek, Sterling Mine and Sterlingville. Many years ago the writer was told by Will G. Steel that these names all came from one James Sterling, presumably a miner, who operated in the area in the '50s. Sterling Peak was named in 1853, according to Steel, but the name Dutchman Peak has supplanted the older name. Sterling Creek flows into Little Applegate River near Buncom, and Sterling Mine was well known because of its hydraulic works, shown on popular picture post cards. Sterlingville post office, a short distance upstream from the mine, was established April 21, 1879, with George Yandes first and only postmaster. This office was closed to Jacksonville on July 31, 1883.
STEVE FORK, Jackson and Josephine counties. Steve Fork is a tributary of Carberry Creek. The name Steamboat Creek is incorrect.
STEWART LAKE, Benton County. This lake, northeast of Corvallis, was named for Archimedes and John Stewart, who took up donation land claims around it. See land office certificates 175 and 176.
