Nimrod, Oregon

Nimrod is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States, on the McKenzie River. It is located along Oregon Route 126, between Vida and Blue River, 35 miles east of Eugene, in the Willamette National Forest. As of 2003, its population was roughly 190. Nimrod is the site of a former ferry that crossed the McKenzie.

The earliest reference to Nimrod in the locality was the Nimrod Inn, opened in the early 1900s by Alfred Parkhurst. Some historians think that the inn was named for the biblical character Nimrod, whose name was synonymous with "mighty hunter", in recognition of the excellent fishing on the McKenzie River.

The community may also have been named for a fishing lure, to recognize the prowess of a local hunter or fisherman, or for one of Lane County's earliest settlers, Nimrod O'Kelly, who settled in the area in 1847.

Because of the community's unusual name, now associated with the derogatory usage "fool" or "idiot", (perhaps due to Bugs Bunny using the term to refer to Elmer Fudd, when, in fact, he just meant "hunter", as associated with the biblical Nimrod), the main sign marking the location is a popular spot for photos, and is bolted to discourage theft.

Nimrod is one of the few locations in Oregon not listed in Oregon Geographic Names, because no one can give the author a good source for the name's origin.

Nimrod now uses a Vida postal address.

References

External links

• Historic photo of Nimrod ferry crossing