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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Scammer impersonates sheriff's captain ... In-N-Out fans celebrate opening of Medford store ... Increased temps bring renewed fire risk ... Scammer impersonates sheriff's captain ... In-N-Out fans celebrate opening of Medford store ... Increased temps bring renewed fire risk ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Local mountain also had a native name Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Recently, President Obama announced changing the name of Mount McKinley in Alaska back to its Athabascan name, Denali. Is there any such history behind Mount McLoughlin, or a native name that it used to be known by? — Cathy, via email Mount McLoughlin does have a long and detailed history behind its name, and it makes a lot more sense than naming Denali McKinley ever did. Even so, it hasn't stayed totally consistent throughout, either.  The first map that named the peak Mount McLoughlin was from 1838. Dr. John McLoughlin was a hugely influential figure in the Hudson Bay Company from 1824 to 1846 as it spread across the Oregon Country. Because of his authority within the territory, he's even been called the first governor and even the "father" of Oregon. After he left the HBC, he lived as a miller and merchant in Oregon City until his death. Fur trader and explorer Peter Skene Ogden intermittently called it Mount Pit after the Pit River, which was named for the pits that the tribes used to dig to trap game. Hall J. Meyer, another settler who was intent on naming the Cascade Mountain range the President's Range, wanted to name the peak after John Quincy Adams, but that also fizzled out.  The Klamaths' name for the mountain was M'laiksini Yaina, which means "mountain with steep sides." So far, there hasn't been much interest in changing the name, at least not officially. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is in charge of managing the names of mountains, although the Secretary of the Interior can exercise autonomous decision-making if it doesn't act in a timely manner, which was the case with the Denali decision. Other peaks in the area have garnered some support for name changes: Mount St. Helens to its old name Louwala-Clough, and Mount Rainier to Tahoma or Tacoma. Both have been dismissed by the board for lack of support or proof that the names were widely used. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501