Post Office Box 1
Essex, California 92332
August 20, 1988
Randy Bernard
16311 Alora Avenue
Norwalk, California 90650
Dear Mr. Bernard,
Your letter regarding the origin of the name for Edgar Peak raises some interesting questions. After checking several sources, I have been unable to determine the original reason for the name.
The name has been in use by local residents for several years, and is referred to in the writings of Jack Mitchell, operator of the Caverns 1932-1954, as Edgar Peak.
I have not contacted U.S.G.S. for the official information, but several possibilities exist. There was an extensive survey of the area in the 1920's and again in the 1930's. It is possible that the peak was named then, but since it does not appear on the early versions of the topographic maps, this seems unlikely.
With the name on the new series, I suspect that it was in use after much of the original survey work was completed and was added with this revision.
Another remote possibility is that the peak was named after the Edgar Peak in Yolo County. It was named after James Edgar, a Canadian that had settled a 1500 acre farm there. I do not know of any connection with that area, however.
There have been several names used in the identification of Edgar Peak throughout the years. Occasionally, people still identify it as "Providence Mountain". Since it had not been identified on maps, many people assumed that either Fountain Peak was the highest point in the range, or that the 7171' peak was Fountain.
This is a long story just to say that we do not really know, but I hope that this information may assist you in someway. We will continue to research the issue and will contact you with the information as soon as it is available.
Thank you for your letter and if we may be of any further assistance, feel free to contact us.
