California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names

Ran across this book many years ago when I was in college. Always regretted that I did not purchase a copy then. I have been looking for a used edition ever since coming back to California several years ago. Talking to a used book dealer, I couldn't even recall the title; but he managed to track down the author and title for me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Erwin G. Gudde's classic: CALIFORNIA PLACE NAMES: THE ORIGIN AND ETYMOLOGY OF CURRENT GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES was issued in a Fourth Edition in 1998. For anyone interested in the background and origin of the names of California towns, cities, mountains and rivers [and every other geographical feature]THIS IS DEFINITELY THE BOOK!! A fantastic resource for the individual seeking a treasure trove of information regarding California's rich history. Well worth the price! Very pleased with my purchase!!

Honey Run. Putah. Gibsonville. Henness Pass. Loomis. Noyo. Sinkyone. These are but a few place names I've visited on the BMW (I ride an R1200GSA pretty much everywhere) and later looked up in this resource. This 40th anniversary edition of Erwin G. Gudde's dictionary of California place names is a hoot to carry along or refer back to when traveling throughout the state. Editor William Bright has provided short and insightful thumbnails of places one might otherwise simply pass right through. This work inspires the reader to stop, explore and to seek other resources to read and find out more. Add this to your reference library next to DeLorme's California Atlas and Gazetteer and Storer and Usinger's Sierra Nevada Natural History.

I like to know where a name originates and this book has fixed my curiosity for California.

This is the main resource for place name searches and their pedigree. If you need to find out where a place got its name this definitely is to go to source. a keeper for personal library.

The book was excellent and new as described. It came quickly after I ordered it.

Has all the info you need. We recently went to, I should say "through" "Fiddletown" CA, and the question arose about the origin of the name.. It's here. Very interesting background.

A very interesting book

It is valuable to my research into local history. I wish there were morecomplete description of the name origins.