252 PLACE NAMES IN THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 258. 
Portville; town in Cattaraugus County, New York, so named because it was, at an 
early date, a prominent point for the shipment of lumber, shingles, etc. 
I Posey; county in Indiana; 
Poseyville; town in Posey County, Indiana. Named for Gen. Thomas Posey, an 
early governor of the State. 
Poso; town in Kern County, California. A Spanish word meaning "repose." 
Possession; sound in Washington, so named by Vancouver, because he landed and 
took possession on the King's birthday. 
Postboy; village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, so named because a postboy was mur- 
dered in the neighborhood. 
Potaligo; village in Madison County, Georgia. An Indian word meaning "plenty 
of fat ducks." 
Poteau; river in Arkansas. A French word meaning "post," "stake," or "pillar." 
Potencia; tow r n in Los Angeles County, California. The Spanish word for "power." 
Potosi; town in Washington County, Missouri, a mining town, named from the 
Peruvian mining town. 
Potrero; town in San Diego County, California. A Spanish word meaning "pas- 
ture ground." 
Potsdam; village in St. Lawrence County, New York, named from a town in 
Prussia. 
Pottawattomie; counties in Kansas and Oklahoma; 
Pottawattamie; county in Iowa. Named for the Indian tribe. The word means 
"makers of fire," and was used to signify that this tribe assumed separate sov- 
ereignty by building a council fire for themselves. 
Potter; town in Yates County, New York, named for Arnold Potter, the original 
proprietor. 
Potter; county, and township in Center County, in Pennsylvania, named for Gen. 
James Potter, a Revolutionary officer. 
Potter; county in South Dokota, named for a prominent physician of the State. 
Potter; county in Texas, named for ftobert Potter, temporary secretary of the navy 
of Texas in 1836. 
Potter Hollow; village in Albany County, New York, named for Samuel Potter. 
Potterville; village in Eaton County, Michigan, named for George N. Potter. 
Potts Camp; town in Marshall County, Mississippi, named for Col. E. F. Potts. 
JPottstown; borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; 
jPottsville; borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Named for John Potts, a 
1 large landowner, who founded the town. 
Poughkeepsie; city in Dutchess County, New York. Derived from the Delaware 
Indian word apokeepsingk, meaning "safe, pleasant harbor," or "shallow inlet," 
"safe harbor for small boats." 
Powder; stream in Wyoming, so named because of the dark powder-colored sand 
on its banks. 
Powell; county in Kentucky, named for Lazerus W. Powell, a former governor. 
Powell; mountain in Colorado and county in Montana, named for Maj. J. W. Powell, 
geologist and explorer. 
Powellsville; town in Bertie County, North Carolina, named for a prominent 
resident. 
Powellton; town in Fayette County, West Virginia, named for E. Powell, interested 
in a large coal and coke company. 
Powell Valley; village in Multnomah County, Oregon, named for an old settler. 
Powelton; village in Hancock County, Georgia, named for a former resident. 
Poweshiek; county in Iowa, named for an Indian chief. 
Powhatan; county in Virginia, and city in Brown County, Kansas, named for the 
celebrated Indian chief. The name means "at the falls." 
