John Day came to Oregon in 1812 as part of an overland expedition to the new Pacific Fur Company post in Astoria. The once large party split up into many small groups before reaching Oregon Territory.


While camped where the mouth of the Mah-hah River meets the Columbia, John Day and Ramsay Crooks were robbed of all their belongings, including clothing. Luckily they were rescued by a party of trappers also headed to Astoria.


John Day became well known at the trading post. Whenever others would pass the spot of the incident, they would point out where he had been robbed. Thus, the Mah-hah River became known as the John Day River.



John Day never came here. It was Thomas Condon who named this area the John Day Fossil Beds because of the river's role as a landmark and its importance in eroding and exposing fossil bearing rock layers.

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Show me all markers in:  Mitchell, OR  |  Wheeler County  |  97750  |  Oregon  |  United States of America

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