Clatskanie, Oregon

Clatskanie is a city located in Columbia County, Oregon. It was named for the Clatskanie River, which empties into the Columbia River within the city limits. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,528.

History

According to some reports, the original name of this town when it was platted in 1884 was Bryantville. However, the post office in this location is shown as Clatskanie as early as December, 1871.

Related Topics:
1884 - 1871

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Clatskanie comes from a Native American word, Tlatskani. According to the Clatsop County pioneer Silas B. Smith, Tlatskani was a point in the Nehalem River that was reached from the Columbia River by way of the Youngs River or by way of the Clatskanie River. The native inhabitants applied the word Tlatskani to the streams they would follow in order to get to that point, and not the streams themselves, for they were not in the habit of naming the streams. The white men who settled here later carelessly applied the word to the streams.

Related Topics:
Native American - Clatsop County - Nehalem River - Youngs River

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Clatskanie is also the name of a Native American people, whose numbers dwindled from smallpox, intermittent fever, warfare, and intermarriage until they numbered only 3 people in a 1910 poll.

Related Topics:
People - Smallpox - Intermittent fever - 1910

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