Where did St. Helena get it's name?

COURTESY OF JOHN PALMER, ST. HELENA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Let’s start with Mount St. Helena. It was originally named Mount Mayacamas, until a Russian survey party rechristened it in 1841. It has been suggested that the name was chosen to honor either the Roman Empress Helena, or Princess Helena Gagarin, the charismatic wife of Fort Ross commander Alexander Rotchev.

We also have rival accounts for the naming of the city of St. Helena. Henry Still is credited in one version. Still purchased 126 acres from the Bale Family in 1852. His land ran from Sulphur Creek to present-day Madrona Avenue. On it, he built a store and offered favorable terms to anyone who dared to develop his land. The modest township became a city whose name, whatever its origin, is known the world over.