River as a result of the association of the stream with the marsh, and also rather inappropriately, considering its literal Indian meaning, to Sycan Butte, near the northeast corner of Sycan Marsh. There are many other examples of this misapplication of names by association and proximity. See under LEMITI.
SYLVAN, Multnomah County. Nathan B. Jones, a pioneer of 1847, settled at the pass at the head of Tanner Creek in 1850 and lived there until he was murdered early in 1894. He called the locality Zion Town and platted lots with that name in 1892-93. Whether he chose the Bible name for religious reasons or because of the place called Mount Zion about a mile to the southeast the writer cannot tell. There was no community at Mount Zion, which was named about 1860-61. Jones may have adopted the unusual form Zion Town to show that it was the community or trading center for Mount Zion. When a post office was desired in the late '80s postal authorities would not use the name Zion, on the grounds of confusion that might result from duplication. There had already been at least two Zions in Oregon and the names had been changed because of difficulties with the mails. T. H. Prince, resident of Zion Town, suggested the name Sylvan and an office with that name was established June 6, 1890, with Charles C. Prince first postmaster. This office was closed October 11, 1906. The locality is now generally called Sylvan. The name is derived from Silvanus, the Italian deity of the woods. For additional information see under the heading Mount Sylvania. Nathan B. Jones was born in Salem, New Hampshire, in 1819. Four years after he settled at the place now called Sylvan he built a dwelling called the Hermitage, which was destroyed by fire in 1893. Jones was considered to be an eccentric hermit. It is said that one of his schemes was to develop a town that would become Oregon's seat of government. The outside of his home was decorated with weird paintings that anticipated the modern fad for fantastic murals. In January, 1894, Jones disposed of some property to Henry E. Reed of Portland and took a check for the balance due, which he promptly deposited in a Portland bank. He was supposed to have retained the cash in his house, and was clubbed on January 17, apparently with the idea of robbery. He died January 25, 1894, and was buried at the little cemetery at Sylvan.
SYRACUSE, Polk County. Syracuse post office was established in the valley of Luckiamute River on February 8, 1885, with Frank K. Hubbard first of two postmasters. James P. Starr became postmaster on January 9, 1889. At that time the office was moved westward about two miles to Falls City. When this move was made Hubbard was appointed postmaster of Falls City and retained the position until the summer of 1890. The origin of the name Syracuse is not based on water-tight evidence, but it is generally thought that the word was applied by some of the first settlers, who are said to have come from Syracuse, New York. However, there is another theory that should be mentioned. The Oregon post office may have been named by someone interested in classical history. There were several such students in the area.
TABLE CREEK, Douglas County. Table Creek flows into Cow Creek from the north at a point about a mile due west of Peck. The stream got its name because it drained the south slopes of Table Mountain. Table Mountain is a conspicuous landmark north and west of Cow
