Naming the Cascade Range Volcanoes
Mount Baker, Washington

Mount Baker was named on April 30, 1792, after British Third Lieutenant Joseph Baker, of the Captain George Vancouver expedition. While anchored in Dungeness Bay on the south shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Baker made an observation which Vancouver recorded in his journal:

"... About this time a very high conspicuous craggy mountain ... presented itself, towering above the clouds: as low down as they allowed it to be visible it was covered with snow; and south of it, was a long ridge of very rugged snowy mountains, much less elevated, which seemed to stretch to a considerable distance ... the high distant land formed, as already observed, like detached islands, amongst which the lofty mountain, discovered in the afternoon by the third lieutenant, and in compliment to him called by me Mount Baker, rose a very conspicuous object ... apparently at a very remote distance."
[Captain George Vancouver, April 30, 1792]

If you have questions or comments please contact: GS-CVO-WEB@usgs.gov
2008 - 2011, Lyn Topinka
Return to: Volcanoes and History | CVO Home Page

Naming the Cascade Range Volcanoes Mount Baker, Washington

Naming the Cascade Range Volcanoes
Mount Baker, Washington