Mount Rainier: Old reasons to keep name fall flat

Re: “Change Mount Rainier’s name, Puyallup tribal official says,” (TNT, 7/24).

I concur with TNT columnist Matt Driscoll and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

British Admiral Peter Rainier never visited the Pacific Northwest, and he fought against the US during the Revolutionary War.

In 1924, the United States Geographic Board, responding to legislation approved by the US Senate to change to the native name Mount Tacoma, wrote: “It is charged that Rainier believed in slavery, and that in the War of the Revolution he was an enemy of the United States. Both of these charges appear to be true.”

Nonetheless, the board kept the admiral’s name. It stated, “Is it not true that many of our highest officers and other prominent men of the time were slaveholders? And is it a fair charge against Rainier that in the service of his country he proved a brave and patriotic officer?”

Hogwash! This does not justify keeping his name, given by explorer George Vancouver, but rather demands its removal.

Indian tribes used variations of Tak-homa, and its use would show overdue respect to native language and culture.

Finally, retire City of Destiny. Tacoma is indeed The Mountain City.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Mount Rainier: Old reasons to keep name fall flat."