SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – For years, a 4,200-ft. tall peak in Oregon’s Umpqua National Forest was known as “Swastika Mountain” and as of this spring, it officially has a new name: Mount Halo.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the peak’s new name is in honor of Chief Halito a leader of the Yoncalla Kalapuya tribe, whose Tribal village was located 20 miles west of the mountain. Records show the U.S. Board on Geographic Names decided on the new name April 13.
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Although there is no evidence that the “Swastika Mountain” name is related to the Nazi party, since World War II, the name and symbol have been associated with anti-Semitism and hate groups. According to The Register-Guard, “the mountain takes its name from the defunct town of Swastika, which was in the same area.”
“The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, which means ‘good fortune’ or ‘well-being.’ The motif (a hooked cross) appears to have first been used in Eurasia, as early as 7000 years ago, perhaps representing the movement of the sun through the sky. To this day, it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism,” the U.S. memorial Holocaust Museum explained. “It is a common sight on temples or houses in India or Indonesia. Swastikas also have an ancient history in Europe, appearing on artifacts from pre-Christian European cultures.”
During World War I, members of the American 45th Division wore swastika patches, as did members of the Finnish air force, said the Jewish Virtual Library.
In Oregon, the town of Swastika “was the result of a cattle brand shaped like a swastika, which was used by rancher Clayton E. Burton,” according to the Mail Tribune. It said this brand was not associated with the National Socialist German Workers’ Party in Germany, which began using the swastika as a logo in 1920.
After Adolf Hitler took over the Nazi party in 1933, he heavily used the swastika symbol in propaganda materials and more. It is now associated with the violent legacy of Hitler and the Nazis, including the systemic persecution and murder of 6 million Jewish people during the holocaust.
Since Mount Halo is fairly remote – around 35 miles outside of Eugene, Ore., its name went largely unnoticed until two hikers were rescued there last year, NPR reported.
“It is not a very well-known mountain, and frankly, I didn’t know there was one,” said Kerry Tymchuk, Oregon Historical Society, according to the outlet. “It’s in a national forest, not accessible to many people like Mount Hood or Mount St. Helen. It’s not very well-known throughout the state; the vast majority of people likely never even knew it was there.”
When the hikers were rescued, 81-year-old Joyce McClain read about it and decided that something should be done about the name. She filed a Domestic Geographic Name Proposal form. McClain suggested Umpqua Mountain as the new name for the peak.
“People need to come forward and take action when they see something that isn't right or needs to be changed, because one person can make a difference, and this shows how that is so true,” she told NPR. There was also a Change.org petition regarding the name.
In August and December of last year, the Oregon Geographic Names Board discussed the proposed name change.
“Dr. David Lewis reported on the history of the location and of Chief Halo, stating that the area near the mountain had been the home of the Yoncalla Kalapuya Tribe for over 10,000 years,” said meeting minutes from December. “Chief Halo was a much admired and well-respected Tribal leader.”
During that meeting, President Bruce Fisher also “reported that the name ‘Swastika Mountain’ did not come into use until the 1930’s, and that the ranch for which it might have been named was nearly 200 miles away,” from the peak.
Some members of the public, including Ramya Ramakrishnan from the Hindu-American Association and a man named Scott Foster asked the Board to leave the Swastika Mountain name in place. Ramakrishnan asked for another feature to be named Mount Halo. Eventually, the board voted 19-3 to recommend the Mount Halo name to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Board members “commented that the vote was supportive of a name that more closely honored the history of the area, and in no way a sign of disapproval of Hinduism.”
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