“Swastika Mountain” Renamed Mt. Halo

Calapooya Mountains from Fairview Peak Lookout, Umpqua National Forest, Oregon (Photo: US Forest Service, Public Domain)
Calapooya Mountains from Fairview Peak Lookout, Umpqua National Forest, Oregon (Photo: US Forest Service, Public Domain)

“Swastika Mountain”, located Western Oregon’s Umpqua National Forest, was recently renamed “Mt. Halo”. According to an article on NPR, the change was a move supported by local residents. Though the swastika symbol and name belonged to a long-defunct cattle ranch in the area active in the early 1900’s (and the Sanskrit term dates back “as far back as 7,000 years and means good fortune or well-being”), residents believed the name acquired new meaning in the 20th century and was therefore no longer appropriate. The new name, Mount Halo, honors Chief Halito of the Yoncalla Kalapuya tribe.

Read more over at NPR.