Name confusion

I don't know the answer to that question, but believe it or not:

http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Nevada-Place-Names-Browning/dp/0944220231

It reminds me a little bit of the names for towns in Greece. When the Turks were kicked out about 200 years ago all the names were changed back to Greek names. I guess the pesants didn't have much imagination or else didn't really care much, because every other village is named "village", "little village", "white village", "city", "little city", "white city"…. you get the idea. On the other hand, once in a while you can tell that there was a school master on the committee back then, and mixed in with all those "little white village" there are a few bizarre mythological references and otherwise.

One place namer was John Muir, and he tended to name lakes with the names of his daughters and wife. So, you see lots of lakes named Helen, Louise, Dorothy, etc.

Don't forget Junction Meadow.

–B.G.–

And what is with the many Deadman Creeks, Deadman Lakes in the central Sierra Nevada?

Did they find that many dead people or does it have something to do with the block and tackle systems used to get pioneer wagons over the passes or lumber out?

Bruce, in Kings Canyon there is a Deadman Canyon, and it has one well-marked gravesite, if that explains a few things.

–B.G.–

Dingleberry Lake has to be my very most favorite name in the Sierra, though. :)

From lots of time with the GNIS, I'd guess the variations on "Bear" or "Deer" or "Rock" followed by "Creek" or "Lake."