California History Place Names

Naming of Whipple Bay

California place names can tell us so much about the history of a region. Do you ever wonder how streets, towns, mountains or rivers were named? Lake Havasu was named for an Indian word, which meant blue water.  In the Lake Havasu area are other well know sites, such as Copper Canyon, Pilot Rock and Whipple Bay. 

       Traveling south down Lake Havasu, some six miles from Lake Havasu City, you'll discover Whipple Bay, a scenic marshy inlet on the California side, which is a wildlife haven and refuge for migrating birds who are making their way south. Flocks of pelicans, Canadian Geese and other fowl have made this spot their temporary haven. Back dropping the bay is the Whipple mountain range.
       In 1858 Lieutenant Ives named the mountain range for Amiel W. Whipple, who was a lieutenant of the United States Topographical Engineers, and a member of the Mexican Boundary Commission and of the Pacific Railroad survey, engaged in California exploration in the 1800's. Five years after the naming of the range, Whipple, then a major general, died of wounds received in the battle of Chancellorsville.
       Not only was our local mountain range named for Whipple, botanist, John Torrie, named the Yucca Whipplei (also called Our Lord's Candle) in honor of the Major General. - Havasu Magazine, June 1999      

Whipple Bay,
Lake Havasu California