
A Dangerous Precedent
Kelseyville is not derogatory.
The push to change the name based on speculative history is a dangerous precedent.
The name “Kelsey” is not offensive or derogatory. Kelsey is a widely recognized and commonly used given name, surname and name of geographical locations such as Kelseyville. To suggest that the name itself is inherently harmful is unsubstantiated and based on speculation rather than factual history. While some theories link the name to an early settler, no verified legal documentation suggests that the town of Kelseyville was named after any individual. Multiple people named Kelsey were in the region, making any direct connection to one person questionable at the very least. The residents of Kelseyville do not associate the name with any individual; they do not honor any specific historical figure, and the town’s identity is rooted in its rich history, not any speculative or unproven connection to the name.
It is important to condemn the harmful actions of individuals from history, especially when those actions were unjust and caused lasting harm. However, we must also distinguish between condemning an individual’s actions and labeling a name offensive due to an association.
The push to change the name based on this speculative history is a dangerous precedent. It is rooted in a narrative built on unreliable sources—such as oral history and newspaper articles—often incomplete or distorted over time. To take drastic action based on these sources risks succumbing to a mob mentality fueled by sensationalized accounts of history that overlook nuance and context.
This issue has become a divisive tool in broader debates around racism and historical legacy. The focus on pitting Native communities against descendants of settlers is not productive and only deepens divisions. Suppose we begin to erase names based on their associations with controversial figures. In that case, we open an uncharted and subjective path that could lead to the removal of countless place names and symbols across the country. History is complex, and simplistically labeling something offensive based on a single, contested interpretation further fractures society.
Additionally, assuming that all Native Americans find the name "Kelsey" offensive is not only oppressive and paternalistic but also inherently racist. This mentality assumes a monolithic view of Native perspectives, silencing the diverse voices and experiences within Native communities. There are Native people in the area who love the name and wish to keep it. To suggest that all Natives must be offended by this name or that their opinion is irrelevant in the conversation is a profoundly problematic form of racial generalization. It reinforces harmful stereotypes and undermines the autonomy of individuals within Native communities to make their own decisions.
The name "Kelsey" itself is not an affront to anyone. Regardless of its possible association with a problematic figure, it is not inherently offensive. It is a part of our cultural heritage, and we must be careful not to conflate the actions of individuals in history with the broader use of names. To do so risks further division and erasure rather than fostering a meaningful conversation about history, accountability, and healing.
Controversial American Names
A sample of controversial names in American History. This list is not exhaustive.
“Frequently, geographic naming reveals the rough and brawling nature of the environment that greeted the westward expansion. It is in these ways and many others that geographic naming gives us a clear, exciting profile of the United States.” - Page 2, BGN Policies, Principles and Procedures
1. Columbus, Ohio
Named after Christopher Columbus, whose arrival in the Americas initiated centuries of colonization and oppression of indigenous peoples.
2. Columbus, Georgia
Also named after Christopher Columbus, symbolizing European colonization and the forced displacement of Native Americans.
3. Custer, South Dakota
Named after General George Armstrong Custer, known for his role in the massacre of Native Americans at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
4. Jackson, Mississippi
Named after Andrew Jackson, a president responsible for the forced relocation of Native Americans, known as the Trail of Tears.
5. Jefferson City, Missouri
Named after Thomas Jefferson, whose policies and actions supported slavery and Native American displacement.
6. Madison, Wisconsin
Named after James Madison, whose political actions benefited slavery and land dispossession of Native American peoples.
7. San Diego, California
Named after Saint Didacus (San Diego), but also linked to the history of Spanish missions, where indigenous peoples were often mistreated and forced to assimilate.
8. San Antonio, Texas
The city is named after Saint Anthony of Padua, but it’s also a center of Spanish colonial activity, which involved exploitation and oppression of indigenous populations.
9. Santa Fe, New Mexico
A Spanish mission city that played a role in colonizing indigenous land and forcibly converting native peoples to Christianity.
10. Sacramento, California
Named after the Sacramento River, but the city grew from land taken from indigenous peoples and the encroachment of settlers.
11. Pocahontas, Arkansas
Named after Pocahontas, the Powhatan woman whose story was romanticized while erasing the violent history of settler colonialism and Native American displacement.
12. Roosevelt, New York
Named after Theodore Roosevelt, who supported imperialistic policies and held controversial views about race and ethnicity.
13. Lincoln, Nebraska
Named after Abraham Lincoln, whose presidency saw the approval of policies like the Homestead Act, which led to the forced removal of Native Americans from their land.
14. Sherman, Texas
Named after General William Tecumseh Sherman, known for his brutal military campaigns against Native American tribes during the westward expansion.
15. Grant, Nebraska
Named after Ulysses S. Grant, a president who oversaw military campaigns against Native American tribes during the Indian Wars.
16. Bismarck, North Dakota
Named after Otto von Bismarck, whose policies of colonial expansion influenced settler expansion into indigenous territories in the Americas.
17. Vicksburg, Mississippi
Named after the battle and the city became significant during the Civil War, a time of racial tensions and conflicts related to slavery.
18. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Named after John Harris, an early settler who was involved in interactions with Native Americans during the colonial period.
19. Austin, Texas
Named after Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas," who was a key figure in colonization and the displacement of Native American tribes.
20. Jacksonville, Florida
Named after Andrew Jackson, a figure infamous for his role in the removal of Native Americans and his support of slavery.
21. Baker City, Oregon
Named after Edward Baker, a politician who advocated for the expansion of settler colonies into Native American territories.
22. Dallas, Texas
Named after George M. Dallas, a political figure who supported the expansion of slavery and had ties to the pro-slavery movement.
23. Wilmington, Delaware
Named after Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, whose family’s wealth was partly derived from slavery.
24. Carson City, Nevada
Named after Kit Carson, a frontiersman who was involved in campaigns against Native American tribes and their displacement.
25. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Named after the Cheyenne Nation, but also associated with the violent suppression of indigenous peoples during westward expansion.
26. Bentonville, Arkansas
Named after Thomas Hart Benton, a politician who supported the removal of Native Americans from their land to facilitate settler expansion.
27. Fort Worth, Texas
Named after an army fort built during the Indian Wars and associated with the violent military campaigns against Native American tribes.
28. Tucson, Arizona
While the name is derived from a Tohono O’odham word, the city’s history includes the forced relocation and exploitation of indigenous peoples under Spanish and later American rule.
29. El Paso, Texas
Named after a Spanish term for "the pass," but its history includes the displacement and violence against indigenous peoples as settlers moved west.
30. Carmel, California
Named after a Spanish mission that forced the conversion of indigenous peoples and contributed to their cultural destruction.
31. Salem, Oregon
Named after the biblical city of peace, yet its early settlers were part of the broader movement that displaced Native American peoples in the region.
32. Portland, Oregon
Named after Portland, Maine, the city's growth resulted in the displacement of Native American tribes and their forced relocation.
33. Fremont, California
Named after John C. Fremont, a military leader who played a central role in the California Gold Rush and the displacement of Native Americans.
34. Bakersfield, California
Named after Thomas Baker, a settler whose activities were part of the westward expansion and its associated violence against indigenous peoples.
35. Raleigh, North Carolina
Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, whose colonial ventures contributed to the violence and exploitation of Native Americans.
36. Vancouver, Washington
Named after the British explorer George Vancouver, whose expeditions are often tied to colonial land claims that displaced Native Americans.
37. Macon, Georgia
Named after Nathaniel Macon, a politician who supported slavery and the removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands.
38. Montpelier, Vermont
Named after the French city of Montpellier, the town grew on land taken from indigenous tribes during European colonization.
39. St. Louis, Missouri
Named after King Louis IX of France, whose legacy is marred by his crusades against non-Christian peoples and the colonial expansion into Native American territories.
40. Carson, California
Named after Kit Carson, whose role in the forced relocation of Native Americans during the Indian Removal era makes his legacy controversial.
41. Muskogee, Oklahoma
Named after the Muscogee Creek Nation, but its history is marked by forced relocation and violence against Native American populations.
42. Douglas, Wyoming
Named after Stephen A. Douglas, who supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for the expansion of slavery into western territories and the displacement of Native Americans.
43. Waco, Texas
Named after the Waco tribe, but its history is intertwined with the violent suppression and displacement of indigenous peoples by settlers.
44. Montgomery, Alabama
Named after Richard Montgomery, a revolutionary war hero who advocated for policies benefiting white settlers and supported early American imperialism.
45. Lincoln, California
Named after Abraham Lincoln, whose administration was involved in Native American removal policies during westward expansion.
46. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Named for the cedar trees along the river, the area’s settlement involved the displacement and oppression of indigenous peoples in Iowa.
47. Mankato, Minnesota
Named after a Dakota chief, but its history is marked by the infamous 1862 execution of 38 Dakota men after the Dakota War.
48. Bountiful, Utah
The city’s growth is rooted in the westward expansion of white settlers and their displacement of Native American tribes.
49. Mesa, Arizona
Derived from Spanish for "table," the city grew around Spanish missions and contributed to the marginalization of indigenous peoples.
50. Tallahassee, Florida
Named after a Muskogean word, but its history reflects the violent suppression of Native Americans during European and American colonization.
51. Cleveland, Ohio
Named after General Moses Cleaveland, a founder of the city, whose role in the colonization of Native lands contributed to the displacement of indigenous peoples.
52. Jacksonville, North Carolina
Named after Andrew Jackson, whose policies of forced Native American removal and support for slavery remain controversial.
53. New Orleans, Louisiana
Named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who represents French colonial expansion and the exploitation of enslaved Africans and indigenous peoples.
54. Charleston, South Carolina
Named after King Charles II of England, under whose reign the British enslaved Africans and took land from Native Americans.
55. Salisbury, Maryland
Named after an English city, the town’s settlement was tied to the colonial exploitation of Native American lands and slavery.
56. Montpelier, Vermont
Named after the French city Montpellier, its establishment coincided with the dispossession of Native American land by European settlers.
57. Spokane, Washington
Named after the Spokane Tribe, but its history is marked by the forced removal and marginalization of indigenous people in the region.
58. Salem, Massachusetts
While the name evokes early Puritan settlers, the city is also remembered for the Salem witch trials, a dark chapter in colonial American history.
59. Richmond, Virginia
Named after Richmond, England, it became a symbol of the Confederacy and slavery, being the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
60. Bristol, Tennessee
Named after the British city of Bristol, its settlers expanded at the expense of Native American tribes and enslaved African people.
61. Springfield, Illinois
Named for the city's location near a spring, Abraham Lincoln’s connections to Springfield are controversial due to his complicated legacy regarding race and Native American policies.
62. Albany, New York
Named after the Duke of Albany, the city's history includes Dutch and British colonialism, displacing Native American populations.
63. Hickory, North Carolina
Named after the hickory trees in the area, the city's settlement led to the displacement of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes in the region.
64. Canton, Ohio
Named after Canton, China, its settlement is part of the broader history of westward expansion and indigenous land dispossession.
65. Harrison, Arkansas
Named after President William Henry Harrison, whose military actions contributed to the forced relocation and violence against Native Americans.
66. Nashville, Tennessee
Named after Francis Nash, a figure involved in the early expansion into Native American lands during the colonial period.
67. Independence, Missouri
A key city in the westward expansion, its settlement helped facilitate the displacement of Native Americans and the annexation of Native lands.
68. Fort Collins, Colorado
Named after Colonel William O. Collins, a figure associated with military campaigns against Native Americans during the Indian Wars.
69. Boise, Idaho
Named after the French word for "wooded," the city grew at the expense of Native American tribes whose lands were taken by settlers.
70. Denver, Colorado
Named after James W. Denver, a politician whose actions were involved in suppressing Native American populations during the westward expansion.
71. Tampa, Florida
While the name derives from the Calusa or other indigenous languages, the city grew out of Spanish colonial settlements that contributed to the destruction of native cultures.
72. Laredo, Texas
While named after a Spanish word for "the shore," Laredo’s history includes the violence of Spanish and American colonization.
73. Denton, Texas
Named after Major John B. Denton, a figure involved in the violent suppression of Native American tribes in the region.
74. Trenton, New Jersey
Named after William Trent, a founder who played a role in the early colonial exploitation of Native American lands.
75. Jackson, Michigan
Named after Andrew Jackson, whose policies of Native American removal and support for slavery make his legacy controversial.
76. Franklin, Tennessee
Named after Benjamin Franklin, whose political legacy includes the dispossession of Native American lands and the expansion of slavery.
77. La Crosse, Wisconsin
Named for the sport of lacrosse, but the area’s settlement was at the expense of Native American tribes, particularly the Ho-Chunk people.
78. Goldendale, Washington
Named for gold prospectors during the Gold Rush, the city grew as part of the U.S. expansion that displaced Native American tribes.
79. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Named after General Anthony Wayne, a military leader involved in the suppression of Native Americans during the Northwest Indian War.
80. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Named after the Cherokee word for "rock," the city's establishment involved the removal of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears.
81. Athens, Georgia
Named after the ancient Greek city, but its settlement is tied to the violent displacement of Native American tribes in the region.
82. Dallas, Oregon
Named after George M. Dallas, a pro-slavery figure involved in policies that facilitated the displacement of Native Americans.
83. Cheyenne, Oklahoma
While named after the Cheyenne people, the city’s history is marked by their forced removal and suppression during westward expansion.
84. Albion, Michigan
The city’s settlement contributed to the encroachment upon Native American lands and the loss of indigenous territories.
85. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Named after British Prime Minister William Pitt, whose policies contributed to the displacement and exploitation of Native American populations.
86. Bellingham, Washington
Named after William Bellingham, the city's development was part of the broader history of settler colonialism in the Pacific Northwest.
87. Austin, Minnesota
Named after Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," whose legacy is tied to the colonization of Native American lands.
88. Auburn, Alabama
Named after the English town, Auburn’s growth resulted in the displacement of Native American peoples in the region.
89. Bellevue, Washington
Named from French meaning "beautiful view," the city's growth was part of settler expansion into Native American lands.
90. Burlington, Vermont
Named after a city in England, Burlington's settlement involved the displacement of Native American peoples in Vermont.
91. Gainesville, Florida
Named after General Edmund P. Gaines, whose military actions against Native Americans are part of the violent legacy of U.S. expansion.
92. Yreka, California
The city’s name comes from a Native American term, but it became a key settlement in the Gold Rush, which led to the displacement of indigenous populations.
93. Carbondale, Illinois
Named for the area's coal deposits, the city’s development contributed to the exploitation of indigenous lands and resources.
94. Williamsburg, Virginia
Named after King William III of England, the city played a central role in the enslavement of African peoples and the marginalization of Native Americans.
95. Redlands, California
Named for the red soil in the region, but its development came at the expense of Native American tribes displaced by settlers.
96. Lynchburg, Virginia
Named after John Lynch, whose family played a role in the expansion of settler colonies into Native American lands and supported slavery.
97. Anderson, South Carolina
Named after Robert Anderson, a political and military figure involved in U.S. expansionism and the forced relocation of Native Americans.
98. Hanover, Pennsylvania
Named after the House of Hanover, its early history is tied to the exploitation and displacement of Native American peoples.
99. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Named after Marquis de Lafayette, but the city’s founding was also tied to settler colonialism and the displacement of indigenous peoples.
100. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Named after Colonel Hardy Murfree, the city’s development contributed to the displacement of Native Americans during westward expansion.
101. Kennewick, Washington
Named after the Native American term for "gravelly place," but the area’s history is marked by settler colonialism and the displacement of the Walla Walla and other tribes.
102. Pueblo, Colorado
Named after the Spanish word for "village," the city's history is tied to the forced assimilation of Native Americans through Spanish missions and later U.S. expansion.
103. Springfield, Massachusetts
Named after the English Springfield, but its settlement is associated with the colonial displacement of Native Americans in the region.
104. Duluth, Minnesota
Named after French explorer Daniel Greysolon du Lhut, Duluth’s history is marked by the involvement of European settlers in displacing Native American tribes like the Ojibwe and the Dakota during westward expansion.
105. Peoria, Illinois
Named after the Peoria tribe, but its development was part of the broader settler movement that displaced indigenous peoples across the Midwest.
106. Wichita, Kansas
Named after the Wichita tribe, but its history includes the forced removal of Native American tribes to reservations and the exploitation of native lands by settlers.
107. Syracuse, New York
Named after the ancient Greek city of Syracuse, its early settlement involved the displacement and oppression of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people.
108. Tucson, Arizona
While derived from a native word, Tucson’s history is steeped in Spanish colonization, which displaced and forcibly converted indigenous peoples in the region.
109. Lima, Ohio
Named after Lima, Peru, the city’s settlement is part of the broader trend of land dispossession from Native American tribes during westward expansion.
110. St. Paul, Minnesota
Named after Saint Paul, the city’s growth is rooted in the displacement of Native American tribes and the military fortifications built to secure land for settlers.
111. Cedar City, Utah
The city was founded by Mormon settlers, whose colonization of Native American lands led to conflicts and the suppression of indigenous cultures.
112. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Named after a French term for "red stick," the city’s history is tied to French colonialism and later American expansion into indigenous lands.
113. Des Moines, Iowa
Named after the French term for "of the monks," but its development is linked to settler colonialism and the displacement of the Sauk and Meskwaki tribes.
114. Geneva, Illinois
Named after the Swiss city, Geneva’s settlement led to the marginalization of the Potawatomi people and the appropriation of their lands for European settlers.
115. Columbia, South Carolina
Named after Christopher Columbus, whose legacy is controversial due to his role in initiating the genocide and displacement of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
116. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Named after Portsmouth, England, the city’s founding played a role in the displacement and suppression of Native American tribes during early American colonialism.
117. Memphis, Tennessee
Named after the ancient Egyptian city, the city’s establishment and growth were at the expense of Native American lands and resources.
118. Omaha, Nebraska
Named after the Omaha tribe, but the city’s development involved the displacement and mistreatment of indigenous peoples, particularly during the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
119. Rochester, New York
Named after its founder, Nathaniel Rochester, whose settlement was part of the broader trend of land dispossession from Native American tribes in New York.
120. San Jose, California
Named after Saint Joseph, but the city’s history is tied to the Spanish mission system, which sought to convert and control indigenous populations.
121. Macon, Georgia
Named after Nathaniel Macon, a politician who supported the expansion of slavery and policies that marginalized Native American tribes during westward expansion.
122. Lake Charles, Louisiana
Named after French explorer Charles Sallier, whose actions were part of the colonial history that displaced and oppressed Native American populations.
123. Kalamazoo, Michigan
While the name likely originates from the Potawatomi language, its settlement displaced Native Americans and contributed to the broader process of land appropriation in the region.
124. Davenport, Iowa
Named after Colonel George Davenport, a figure associated with land dealings that displaced Native American tribes in Iowa.
125. Evansville, Indiana
Named after Robert Evans, an early settler, whose involvement in the expansion of white settlers led to the displacement of Native American peoples in Indiana.
126. Kingman, Arizona
Named after Lewis Kingman, a railroad surveyor involved in the expansion of settler territory that encroached upon indigenous lands.
127. Watertown, South Dakota
Named after the many lakes in the region, the city’s development displaced Native American tribes such as the Sioux.
128. Sheridan, Wyoming
Named after General Philip Sheridan, a military leader who played a key role in the violent suppression of Native American tribes during westward expansion.
129. Crawfordsville, Indiana
Named after Colonel William Crawford, whose actions in the American Revolution contributed to the violent expansion into Native American territories.
130. Montrose, Colorado
Named after the Scottish town, its establishment contributed to the displacement of Native American populations, particularly as settlers moved westward in search of land.
131. Worcester, Massachusetts
Named after a town in England, it played a role in the broader process of settler colonialism that displaced Native American tribes across New England.
132. Portland, Maine
Named after the English city, the settlement of Portland contributed to the destruction of Native American communities in the region as settlers expanded eastward.
133. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Named after the state of Oklahoma, which was a key site for the forced relocation of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears and later became a home to settlers.
134. Allentown, Pennsylvania
Named after its founder, William Allen, the city’s growth was tied to the displacement of Native American tribes in the Pennsylvania area.
135. Danville, Virginia
Named after Danville, Kentucky, its early settlement was connected to the expansion of slavery and the marginalization of Native American tribes.
136. Bismarck, North Dakota
Named after the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, whose imperialist policies mirrored the expansion of U.S. settlers into Native American territories.
137. Lexington, Kentucky
Named after Lexington, Massachusetts, its early settlement led to the displacement of Native American tribes as European settlers claimed land in the region.
138. Fargo, North Dakota
Named after William G. Fargo, co-founder of Wells Fargo, a company that played a role in the exploitation of Native American lands and the suppression of indigenous rights.
139. Huntsville, Alabama
Named after John Hunt, an early settler, the city’s foundation contributed to the displacement of Native American tribes in Alabama and the surrounding areas.
140. Newark, New Jersey
Named after Newark, England, the city’s early settlement played a role in the broader history of European colonization and the displacement of Native American peoples.
141. Joplin, Missouri
Named after a preacher, Reverend Harris Joplin, the town's settlement contributed to the westward expansion that displaced Native American tribes in Missouri.
142. Peachtree City, Georgia
Named for the state's rich history in peach cultivation, but its growth came at the cost of the displacement of Native American tribes from the land.
143. Duluth, Minnesota
Named after the French explorer Daniel Greysolon du Lhut, Duluth’s history is marked by the involvement of European settlers in displacing Native American tribes like the Ojibwe and the Dakota during westward expansion.
144. Augusta, Georgia
Named after Princess Augusta of Wales, the city’s establishment contributed to the displacement of Native American tribes and the spread of slavery.
145. Shreveport, Louisiana
Named after Henry Miller Shreve, an American engineer whose projects helped expand settlers' access to Native American lands, particularly through river transport.
146. Peoria, Illinois
Named after the Peoria tribe, but the city's development was part of the broader settler movement that displaced indigenous peoples across the Midwest.
147. Pocatello, Idaho
Named after a Shoshone chief, the city’s growth was tied to the settlement of white pioneers and the forced relocation of Native American tribes.
148. St. Augustine, Florida
Named after Saint Augustine, the city was the site of early Spanish colonization, which involved the forced labor and conversion of Native American peoples.
149. Saratoga Springs, New York
Named after the Saratoga Indian tribe, but the city's settlement involved the displacement of native peoples and exploitation of their land.
150. Fort Worth, Texas
Named after an army fort established during the Indian Wars, the city's establishment contributed to the forced removal of Native American tribes in Texas.