How did Mt. Hood get its name?
Some posit that Mt Hood was originally called Wy’east, a name given by local Native Americans. Others argue that this was simply a name created by Frederic Balch, a native Oregonian who referenced the name in Bridge of the Gods, a work of fiction written by Balch in 1890.
Many websites still cite Wy’east as the Native American name for Mt. Hood, although there does not seem to be any concrete evidence to support the reference. This includes the US Geological Society website, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum, and others.
Although the legend of Mt. Hood’s original name lives on, there are many who cast doubt that Wy’east is of Native American origin. Examples include an article from The Columbian, and this article written by JP Santiago MD. An article on Wikipedia also has much to say about the mountain’s naming origins.
What doesn’t seem to be debated is that in October 1792, Lt. William Broughton, who was a member of Captain George Vancouver’s discovery expedition, gave Mt. Hood its “current” name. Broughton named the mountain Mt. Hood in honor of Samuel Hood who was a British Admiral.
Posted in: Mt Hood Trivia
