Paving the way for a reinvigorated sense of national pride, President Donald Trump issued multiple executive orders soon after taking office, aimed at celebrating the illustrious history of the United States. Part of this mission was to spotlight the individuals and landmarks contributing to the nation’s legacy. Among his early steps was the renaming of North America's tallest peak from Denali back to its 19th-century moniker, Mount McKinley, honoring President William McKinley.
This intriguing saga brought attention to a seldom-highlighted yet pivotal federal body—the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Established in 1890 under President Benjamin Harrison, the board was created to bring consistency to the naming of geographical features. With a history enriched by successive presidents' initiatives, it took on the responsibility of standardizing names for federal use. Theodore Roosevelt further empowered the board in 1906, a testament to its lasting significance in shaping America's landscape on paper.
While Franklin Roosevelt temporarily dissolved it in 1934, the body did not remain dormant for long. Post-World War II, Congress reinstated the board, underscoring the necessity of a coherent naming system. Today, it involves representatives from diverse federal agencies, with membership spanning departments like the Interior and Commerce, to ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach.
Each monthly meeting reviews proposals for place names on U.S. soil, emphasizing the deep roots and diverse cultural expressions inherent in these names. The board underscores the importance of names deriving from Native American origins and those reflecting early explorers’ languages, showing a mosaic of the nation’s evolving identity.
The mountain known as 'deenaalee' to the Koyukon Athabaskans became associated with President McKinley due to a gold prospector in 1896. Though McKinley never set foot in Alaska, his name became synonymous with the majestic peak after his legislative efforts and subsequent assassination. Despite Alaska eventually becoming a state and locals advocating for the indigenous name Denali, it wasn't until President Obama in 2015 returned the federal recognition to its native roots.
Beyond being a geographical landmark, Denali symbolizes cultural significance for those residing in its shadow, a point reinforced by Valerie Grussing of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. She emphasizes the sacred bond between inhabitants and their environment, calling for names that preserve this relationship.
Since its inception, the board's purview has expanded, including actions in the 1960s and 70s to remove stigmatizing names targeting ethnic groups. More recently, endeavours led by Deb Haaland aimed at identifying and replacing offensive designations at various sites have furthered this mission. One such example is the official renaming of 'Mount Evans' to 'Mount Blue Sky' in response to requests by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, highlighting ongoing efforts to align place names with respectful and accurate representations.
Proposals to change geographic names are open to submissions from individuals, agencies, tribes, and organizations, provided there is substantial justification and empirical support. The board's policy is clear: a new name should be acceptable to local citizens and meet historical and cultural standards. In 2008, the renaming of a Phoenix mountain to honor fallen Native American Army Spc. Lori Piestewa illustrates the board’s commitment to commemorating those who have influenced America’s heritage.
Modern technological tools, however, such as Google and Apple’s mapping services, mean some names carry on regardless of federal designations, suggesting a complex interplay between official and public usage. Nonetheless, the board’s decisions remain a crucial part of maintaining the integrity and relevance of geographic nomenclature in representing the vast tapestry of American society.
This ongoing dialogue about place names reflects the board's foundational principles, resonating through more than 2.5 million records in the Geographic Names Information System. As such, the Board on Geographic Names plays an instrumental role in chronically capturing America's evolving story through its landscape—both seen and unseen.