December 27, 1894, and that is the way it remained until it was closed by an order dated July 13, 1906, and effective July 31, 1906.
FOLEY CREEK, Tillamook County. This stream is east of Nehalem Bay. Miss Lucy E. Doughty of Bay City wrote the compiler in 1927 that the search for the origin of this name had led to a story to the effect that when the first white people settled in that part of the country they found a cabin that had evidently been built by a white man. When the Indians were asked about it, the whites were informed that it had been constructed by a man named Foley. Who Foley was, whence he came, whither he went, is apparently unknown.
FOLEY SLOUGH, Harney County. This is a part of Silvies River east of Burns. It was named for an early settler, J. C. Foley.
FOLEY SPRINGS, Lane County. Walling, in History of Lane County, page 466, says that Foley Springs were first discovered by William Hanley and William Vick. In 1865 a man named Alexander settled on the premises and in 1870 a Dr. Foley purchased the springs and opened them to the public under the name Bethesda Hot Springs. Lane County records seem to show that what Dr. Foley bought from Alexander was not more than a squatter's rights, for Abram A. Foley received a patent from the government for the property. It was dated March 30, 1882, and filed for record November 30, 1889. Dr. Foley operated the springs for nine years, when they passed into the hands of Henry Hill, who sold out to Peter Runey in 1882. Runey made extensive improvements and got a post office, which was called Foleysprings in compliment to Dr. Foley. Postal authorities spelled the name as one word, but ordinary mortals used the style Foley Springs. The water is hot, about 188 degrees, rendering the baths very agreeable when adequately tempered.
FOLLYFARM, Malheur County. This post office was formerly on the extreme east edge of Harney County, and received its name because of the farming operations of J. H. Neal, who attempted to irrigate land in adverse conditions. Neal, unlike many persons in similar circumstances, possessed a sense of humor, and called his place Neal's Folly, which subsequently became Folly Farm. The post office was established about 1909, and Neal suggested the name of his farm for the name of the office, and the authorities promptly accepted it, as being distinctive and non-duplicating, but coupled it into one word. Dorcas N. Neal was first postmaster. The office was later moved a short distance eastward to a road junction on the west edge of Malheur County. Foots CREEK, Jackson County. Walling, in History of Southern Oregon, page 379, says this stream was named for 0. G. Foot, a miner who prospected along the creek in early days. Foots Creek flows into Rogue River from the south a few miles west of Gold Hill. The community at the mouth of Foots Creek has been known as Bolt since pioneer days. A post office called Foots Creek was in operation near this stream from April, 1878, until July, 1879, with Silas Draper postmaster. The writer does not know the exact location of the office, but Draper was interested in mining on the upper reaches of the creek and the office may have been near what was later known as Draper. See under that heading.
FORCE LAKE, Multnomah County. This overflow lake on the south bank of the Columbia River south of the east end of Hayden Island was named for George W. Force, a pioneer settler. caumig
