US Place Names ~ Sabatis Hill, Maine to San Jacinto, California

Sabatis; hill in Maine, named for an Indian who accompanied Arnold's expedition.

Sabeta; peak in Colorado, named for the wife of Ouray, the chief of the Ute Indians.

Sabine; parish in Louisiana, county, town in Jefferson County, and lake in Texas. A French word, meaning "cypress." Sable; cape, the southernmost point of the mainland in Florida, and stream in Michigan. A French word meaning "sandy."

Sabotawan; mountain in Maine, the most easterly of the Spencer Range. An Indian word meaning "the end of the pack," "where the strap is pulled together."

Sac; county in Iowa;

Sac City; city in Sac County, Iowa, named for an Indian tribe. The word refers to "yellow earth," the proper form being Osaukee.

Sacandaga; tributary of Hudson River, so named because of a great marsh lying along its banks. An Indian word meaning "drowned lands."

Sacate; town in Santa Barbara County, California. A Spanish word meaning "grass."

Saccarappa; village in Cumberland Comity, Maine. An Indian word meaning "toward the rising sun."

Sachem Head; watering place in New Haven County, Connecticut, so named because an Indian chief was once captured there. Sacketts Harbor; village in Jefferson County, New York, named for Augustus Sacket, its first settler.

Saco; river, and city in York County, in Maine. Derived from an Indian word, sohk or sauk, "pouring out;" hence the outlet or discharge of a river or lake.

Sacramento; county, city in same county, and river in California, named by the Spaniards, the word meaning "sacrament."

Sacramento; village in White County, Illinois, named from Sacramento, California, the home of many of the first settlers.

Sadlersville; town in Robertson County, Tennessee, named for W. R. Sadler, an early settler.

Sadorus; township and village in Champaign County, Illinois, named for Henry Sadorus, the first settler.

Safford; village in Pima County, Arizona, named for A. P. K. Safford, governor of the Territory.

Sagadahoc; county in Maine bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. An Indian word meaning "land at the mouth," or " mouth of the river."

Sageville; village in Hamilton County, New York, named for Hezekiah Sage.

Sag Harbor; village in Suffolk County, New York. Sagg is derived from the Indian word sagaporack, meaning "place where ground nuts grow."

Saginaw; county, city in same county, river, and bay in Michigan, derived from an Ojibwa Indian word meaning "Sauk place," referring to the Sauk or Sac Indians.

Sago; town in Muskingum County, Ohio. An Indian word meaning "welcome."

Saguache; county, and town in same county, in Colorado. An Indian word meaning "water at the blue earth."

Sahale; peak in Cascade Mountains, Okanogan County, Washington, named by the Mazamas, a mountaineering club of Portland, Oregon, from the Chinook word sahale, "high," "above."

Saint Albans; city in Franklin County, Vermont, named for Alban, a Roman Christian, and the first martyr in Britain.

Saint Anne; township and village in Kankakee County, Illinois, named from St. Anne, Quebec, the former home of nearly all the residents.

Saint Anthony; falls in the Mississippi River at Minneapolis. So named by a French missionary, because "of the many favors received through the intercession of that saint."

Saint Anthony; town in Stearns County, Minnesota, named from the falls.

Saint Augustine; city in St. John County, Florida, so named because the first landing was made on that day.

Saint Bernard; parish in Louisiana, named by the French for the saint.

Saint Charles; parish in Louisiana, named for the saint.

Saint Charles; county, and city in the same county, in Missouri, so named because it was the purpose of the vicar of Pontoise to establish a seminary there in honor of that saint, where the Indians should be educated.

Saint Clair; county, city in same county, and lake in Michigan, said to have been so named because the lake was discovered by the French upon that saint's day.

Saint Clair; counties in Alabama, Illinois, and Missouri, town in Antelope County, Nebraska, and borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Saint Clairsville; village in Belmont County, Ohio. Named for Gen. Arthur St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory.

Saint descent; town in Pike County, Missouri, named for the patron saint of Clement Grote, an early settler.

Saint Cloud; township and city in Steams County, Minnesota, named by the original proprietors from the town in France.

Saint Croix; river in Maine, probably so named because of its resemblance at Oak Bay to a cross; croix, the French word for "cross."

Saint Croix; river of Minnesota and Wisconsin, named for Monsieur St. Croix, who was drowned at its mouth.

Saint Croix; county in Wisconsin, named from the river.

Saint Derion; village in Nemaha County, Nebraska, named for Joseph Derion, an Indian chief of the Otoe tribe.

Saint Elias; mountain in Alaska, named for the saint upon whose day it was discovered.

Saint Francis; stream in Minnesota and county in Arkansas; Saint Francois; county in Missouri. Named for the founder of the Franciscan order.

Sainte Genevieve; county, and city in same county, in Missouri, named for the French saint.

Saint George; town in Knox County, Maine, named from the island which is now called Monhegan, but was originally named by its discoverer, Capt. George Weymouth, for his patron saint.

Saint George; town in Dorchester County, South Carolina, located in the defunct county of St. George, for which it is named.

Saint George; town in Chittenden County, Vermont, named for George III, of England.

Saint George; town in Tucker County, West Virginia, named for St. George Tucker, clerk of the House of Delegates.

Saint Helena; town in Napa County, California, and parish in Louisiana, named for the French saint.

Saint Helens; mountain in Washington, named for Lord Saint Helens, British ambassador to Madrid.

Saint Ignace; township in Mackinac County, Michigan, named for a Catholic church erected within its limits.

Saint Jacob; township and village in Madison County, Illinois, named for the first three settlers, Jacob Shultz, Jacob Schroth, and Jacob Willi.

Saint James; parish in Louisiana, named for the French saint. Saint James; city in Watonwan County, Minnesota, named for the first settler, James Purrington.

Saint James; town in Phelps County, Missouri, named for a large mine owner in the vicinity.

Saint John; county in Florida, named from Saint Johns River.

Saint John; village in Perry County, Illinois, named from a celebration of Saint John's Day, June 24, held in the settlement in 1856.

Saint John; city in Stafford County, Kansas, named for Governor John P. St. John.

Saint Johns; river in Florida, called by the Spanish discoverers San Juan Bautista, because upon this saint's day it was discovered.

Saint Johns; village in Clinton County, Michigan, named for John Swegles.

Saint Johnsbury; town in Caledonia County, Vermont, named for St. John de Creve-coeur, French consul at New York, and a benefactor of Vermont.

Saint Johnsville; town in Montgomery County, New York, named for an old church established there in early days.

Saint John the Baptist; parish in Louisiana, named from the Saint Johns River.

Saint Joseph; county in Indiana, and county, and city in Berrien County, in Michigan, named from the river.

Saint Joseph; river rising in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and entering Lake Michigan. Named by the early French Catholic explorers for the husband of the Virgin Mary.

Saint Joseph; city in Buchanan County, Missouri, named for Joseph Robidoux, an early French settler.

Saint Landry; parish in Louisiana, named for Saint Landri, bishop of Paris in 651.

Saint Lawrence; gulf in New York, so named because discovered upon the feast day of that saint.

Saint Lawrence; county and river in New York, named from the gulf.

Saint Louis; town in Sonoma County, California, and city in Gratiot County, Michigan, named from the city in Missouri.

Saint Louis; river rising in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, and flowing into Lake Superior. Probably so named by the explorer, Verendrye, in 1749, in honor of the cross of Saint Louis conferred upon him shortly before his death by the King of France.

Saint Louis; county in Minnesota, named from the river.

Saint Louis; county, and city in Saint Louis City County, Missouri, named for Louis XV of France.

Saint Martin; parish in Louisiana, named for Saint Martin, bishop of Tours, about 400.

Saint Mary; parish in Louisiana, so named by Roman Catholic settlers.

Saint Mary; county in Maryland, named for Queen Henrietta Maria.

Saint Marys; city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, peak in Bitter Root Mountain range, Ravalli County, Montana, and township and village in Auglaize County, Ohio, named from St. Mary's Mission in Bitter Root Valley, Montana.

Saint Marys; town in Elk County, Pennsylvania, originally settled by Roman Catholics, and named for the saint.

Saint Matthews; town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, named for the county, now defunct, in which it was formerly located.

Saint Paul; city in Ramsey County, Minnesota,, named for a church which was built for M. Galtier, an early Catholic missionary.

Saint Paid; city in Howard County, Nebraska, named for J. N. and N. J. Paul, its first settlers.

Saint Peter; village in Cedar County, Nebraska, named for John Peter Abts, the first settler.

Saint Peters; town in Saint Charles County, Missouri, named for a Jesuit mission established there in early days.

Saint Regis Falls; village in Franklin County, river and falls in New York, named for a canonized Jesuit missionary.

Saint Stephens; town in Berkeley County, South Carolina, named for the now defunct parish in which it was formerly located.

Saint Tammany; pariah in Louisiana, named for a chief of the Delaware Indians, the name meaning "beaver leader."

Saint Vrain; creek in Colorado, named for Ceran St Vrain, an early explorer.

Salado; town in Bell County, Texas. A Spanish word meaning "salted," salt being abundant in the vicinity.

Salamanca; village in Cattaraugus County, New York, named for Señor Salamanca, a Spanish financier, interested in the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad.

Salem; cities in Essex County, Massachusetts, and Marion County, Oregon; and city in Forsyth County, North Carolina, settled by Moravians, so named by early settlers in the hope of peaceful security. A Hebrew word meaning "peace."

Salem; county, and city in same county, New Jersey, so named by a company of English Friends, from the peaceful aspect of the country.

Salem; town in Washington County, New York, and township and city in Columbiana County, Ohio, named from the city in Massachusetts.

Salero; hill in Arizona, said to have been so named because a saltcellar, of ore from the hill, was made by the padres of St Joseph for the table of their bishop. A Spanish word meaning "saltcellar."

Salida; town in Stanislaus County, California, and city in Chaffee County, Colorado, at the junction of the Arkansas River with its large branch from the south. A Spanish word meaning "point of departure."

Salina; town in Onondaga County, New York; Salinas; city in Monterrey County and river in California;

Saline; rivers and counties in Arkansas, Illinois, and Kansas, and counties in Missouri and Nebraska, and many other places. So named from the presence of salt springs or salt deposits within their limits.

Salisbury; town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, named for a resident.

Salisbury; towns in Wicomico County, Maryland, and Essex County, Massachusetts, named from the city in England.

Salisbury; city in Chariton County, Missouri, named for Lucius Salisbury, of the county.

Salisbury; town in Herkimer County, New York, named from the town in Connecticut

Sallis; town in Attala County, Mississippi, named for Dr. James Sallis, the former owner of the land.

Sallisaw; stream, and town in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. Supposed to have been derived from the French bayou salaison, "salting provisions bayou."

Sallys; town in Aiken County, South Carolina, named for the Salley family, prominent residents of the State.

Salmon; river in Washington, so named on account of the shoals of salmon that ascend the river in the summer.

Salmon Falls; river, and village in Strafford County, New Hampshire, named from the falls in the river, where the salmon stop in their upward course.

Salt; creek in Colorado, so named on account of the character of the mineral deposits.

Saltillo; borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, named from the town in Mexico. A Spanish word meaning "leaping."

Salt Lake; county, and city in same county in Utah, named from Great Salt Lake.

Salton; town in San Diego County, California, situated on the border of the Salton Sea, from which it receives its name.

Salton Sea; dry lake in San Diego County, California, 265 feet below sea level, the bottom of which is covered with salt.

Saluda; town in Polk County, North Carolina, and river, county, and town in same county in South Carolina. An Indian word meaning "corn river."

Salunga; village in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, derived from the Indian word chickiswalunga, meaning "place of crawfish."

Salyersville; town in Magoffin County, Kentucky, named for Samuel Salyer, a member of the State Legislature.

Samoa; village in Humboldt County, California, named for an Indian chief.

Sampson; county in North Carolina, named for Col. John Sampson, officer of the Revolution.

Samsonville; village in Ulster County, New York, named for Gen. Henry A. Sampson.

Samuel Adams; mountain in New Hampshire, named for a Revolutionary patriot.

San Antonio; city in Bexar County, Texas, named for the Roman Catholic mission, San Antonio de Velero, otherwise the Alamo.

San Augustine; county, and town in same county, in Texas, probably named for Saint Augustine, one of the early fathers of the Roman Catholic Church.

San Benito; county, and township in same county, in California. The Spanish form of Saint Benedict.

San Bernardino; county, and city in same county, in California, named for an old Spanish mission.

Sanborn; town in O'Brien County, Iowa, and county in South Dakota, named for George W. Sanborn, division superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad.

Sanbornton; town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, named for a family of early settlers.

San Buenaventura; town in Ventura County, California. A Spanish phrase signifying "saint of good fortune."

San Carlos; village in San Mateo County, California. The Spanish form of Saint Charles.

Sanders; town in Carroll County, Kentucky, named for an old settler.

Sandersville; city in Washington County, Georgia, named for Benjamin Saunders, who once owned all the land upon which the city is built.

San Diego; county, and city in same county, in California. A corruption of Saint Iago, the patron saint of Spain, for whom they were named.

Sandisfield; town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, named for Lord Sandys, first lord of trade and the plantations.

Sand Lake; town in Kent County, Michigan, so named because a sand bar extends across the center of a near-by lake. Sandoval; county, and town in same county, in New Mexico, named for a resident family.

Sandusky; town in Alexander County, Illinois; county, city in Erie County, and river in Ohio. Derived from the Indian outsandouke, "there is pure water here," or from sa-anduste, "large pools of water." Another authority gives the meaning as "cold spring."

Sandwich; township and city in Dekalb County, Illinois, named from the town in Massachusetts.

Sandwich; town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, named from the town in England.

Sandy Lake; township, and borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, so named because of the sandy character of the soil and the existence of a small lake in the neighborhood.

San Felipe; post-office of Santa Clara County, California. The Spanish form of Saint Philip. San Fernando; town in Los Angeles County, California, named for an old Spanish Catholic mission.

Sanford; city in Orange County, Florida, named for Gen. H. S. Sanford, United States minister to Belgium.

Sanford; township, and town in York County, Maine, named for Peleg Sanford, an early proprietor.

Sanford; town in Moore County, North Carolina, named for Colonel Sanford, a civil engineer.

San Francisco; bay, county, and city in same county, in California, said by some to have been named for the old Spanish mission of San Francisco de Assisi, by others to have been named for the founder of the order to which Father Junipero, the discoverer of the bay, belonged.

San Gabriel; town in Los Angeles County, California, named for an old Spanish mission.

Sangamon; county and river in Illinois. A corruption of an Indian word meaning ''good hunting ground."

Sangerfield; town and township in Oneida County, New York, named for Judge Jedediah Sanger.

Sangerville; town in Piscataquis County, Maine, named for Col. Calvin Sanger, its proprietor.

Sanilac; county in Michigan;

'Sanilac Center; town in Sanilac County, Michigan. Named for an Indian chief.

San Jacinto; city in Riverside County, California, and county and river, in Texas. The Spanish form of "Saint Hyacinth," whose day is celebrated August 16th.

US Place Names

Source: The Origin of Certain Place Names the United States, Second Edition, Henry Gannett, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1906.