SISKIYOU COUNTY
Except that it is of Indian origin, nothing authentic has been obtained concerning Siskiyou, the name of the county in the extreme north of the state. Several popular theories have been advanced, one to the effect that Siskiyou means “lame horse.” If that be true the word must have been introduced into the Indian language after the coming of the Spaniards, since horses were unknown to the Indians before that period. Another story, perhaps more pleasing than true, runs as follows: “On the summit of a mountain in Oregon, just over the divide, there is a beautiful, level spot, watered by cool springs, which overlooks the country for miles around. Here the powerful Shasta, Rogue River, and Klamath tribes used to meet to smoke and indulge in dancing and games. They called the place Sis-ki-you, the ‘council ground’.”
Siskiyou County is notable for its mountain scenery, and includes within its borders the famous Mount Shasta.