Christmas Lake, from which Christmas Valley derives its name, is located some five miles east of the Christmas Valley town site.

Historically, an element of mystery hovers over this lake, for it has never been definitely ascertained just how it received its name. In fact, Christmas Lake has caused quite a controversy in Oregon History for years, and at times has helped cast a cloud of suspicion toward the famous "pathfinder" John C. Fremont.

It is frequently asserted that Fremont discovered and named the lake we now know as Christmas Lake; but this is not so. Fremont was never in Christmas Lake Valley.

During the second exploring expedition of Captain Fremont, in 1843, its leader conducted the party through the northern part of Lake County, and after naming several geographic features, including Summer Lake and Abert Lake, he arrived in Warner Valley; some seventy-five miles southeast of Christmas Valley.

On the night of December 24th, Fremont was awakened by the discharges of the company howitzer and he named the lake Christmas Lake in honor of the day. Little did he know, that years later, this simple act would endanger the historical value of his entire expedition.

As late as 1869, maps of the Oregon country show the lake now known as Hart Lake in Warner Valley as Christmas Lake. French's History of Central Oregon, published in 1905 described the Warner Valley Lake as Christmas Lake. The name Hart Lake was not mentioned. In Gaston's History of Oregon, published in 1912, he writes that from Fremont's map it was impossible for him to have seen Christmas Lake and then goes on to discredit Fremont's integrity and exploration. To Gaston, Christmas Lake was where we now know it to be.

At some time between 1905 and 1912, the name Christmas Lake magically traveled to its present site on the Oregon map and Hart Lake appeared in Warner Valley. We can probably attribute this feat to some nameless map maker, who little realized what a controversy he was brewing, as he dipped his pen in the ink well, making the name Christmas Lake one of the puzzles of Oregon nomenclature.

Ironically, the newly named Hart Lake, usurping the old Christmas Lake, was named for a famous ranch on its shores, with the shape of a heart for its brand, and known as the Heart Ranch. Apparently the enterprising mapmaker was also a poor speller.

Now, the new lake located close to the Christmas Valley Lodge is known simply as "The Lake." This lake will naturally become "the lake at Christmas Valley," then eventually Christmas Lake to the uninformed, and then the old Christmas Lake - or rather the new Christmas Lake. This is the way History is made.