[OKGIS] FW: Barren Fork or Baron Fork?

[David W. Wheelock]

Here's a response from Wayne Furr, the OK representative to the GNIS.
I've since spoken with him and he reports that after after reviewing the
1971 report with a staffer in Washington, the earliest reference to the
stream from was in 1839 and there it was spelled "Barron".  
 
So, this is a complicated issue.  Perhaps we should discuss it at GI
Council.
 
Regards,
David

________________________________

From: twfurr at ou.edu [mailto:twfurr at ou.edu] 
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 7:44 PM
To: David W. Wheelock
Subject: Re: Barren Fork or Baron Fork?



Hello David,

I am aware of the different spellings. I also recall that there was an
official U.S. Board on Geographic Names decision in 1971 making Baron
Fork the official spelling name for federal government use. I checked
the GNIS and confirmed that this was the case.

I would be interested in the debate. To make the change back to Barren
Fork would require the U.S. Board to revisit their decision. This is not
out of the question since the legislation and Scenic River Commission
have it as Barren Fork. Currently Barren Fork is listed as a variant
name.

----------------------------------------------------------------- 
T. Wayne Furr, Executive Secretary 
Oklahoma Board on Geographic Names



----- Original Message ----- 

From: "David W. Wheelock" <David.Wheelock at oda.state.ok.us> 

Date: Friday, September 1, 2006 11:07 am 

Subject: Barren Fork or Baron Fork? 

> Hi Wayne, 
> 
> Do you monitor the OKGIS list?  
> 
> We're having a discussion about the correct spelling of Barren/Baron 
> Fork Creek.  Modern USGS topos and GNIS have it as "Baron".  However, 
> the original 1897 survey notes have it as Barren.  There's a very 
> knowledgable fellow at ODOT that has copies of the old surveys and 
> railroad plans.  
> 
> This is of some significance since this is one of our Scenic River 
> Watersheds.  The legislation and the Scenic River Commission have 
> it as 
> Barren, but the USGS has it as Baron, so the maps and such are 
> inconsistent.  I think I want to get to the bottom of this, if 
> possible,establish a name based on evidence, and stand on it. 
> 
> Would you like me to forward you the e-mail posts so far, so you can 
> catch up with the debate? 
> 
> Do you have definitive information on this issue? 
> 
> Thanks, 
> David 
> 
> David Wheelock     Application Specialist     david at oda.state.ok.us 
> 
> Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry 
> 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard 
> Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4298 
> Phone: (405) 522-5477 FAX: (405) 522-3590 
> http://www.oda.state.ok.us 
> 
> "We are usually convinced more easily by reasons we have found 
> ourselves, 
> than by those which have occurred to others." 
> Pascal 
> 
> 
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