A query for the name "Fretwell" was executed on the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) website. The query was of National Mapping Division's repository for all place names listed on USGS maps in the United States. Only four records were found, as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 feature records have been selected from GNIS [Geographic Names Information System].
Feature Name St County Type Location USGS 7.5' Map Fretwell Park FL Duval park 301324N 0815346W Fiftone Fretwell Branch MO Lewis stream 400940N 0914309W Benjamin Fretwell Ranch OR Malheur locale 425310N 1173145W Arock Fretwell Reservoir OR Malheur reservoir 424914N 1172350W Dry Creek Rim ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fretwell Park-- We have no information about this feature. Anyone knowing which Fretwell it was named for and why, please contact us.
Fretwell Branch-- Leonard and Nancy Ann (Timberlake) Fretwell migrated from Virginia to Lewis County, Missouri, in the 1830s. They settled near the mouth of this small stream, and it became known as Fretwell Branch. It is clearly designated as such in the Lewis County, Missouri, 1878, Atlas.
In about 1957, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Mapping Division, redid their 7 1/2' topographic map of the area, and somehow the cartographer renamed the stream as "Freckle Branch." This became its official name in the GNIS (Geographic Names Information System).
I learned of this mapping error in 2006, as I was planning a trip to the area to visit the old cemeteries and farmsteads of our ancestors in Missouri. I was completely dismayed that our one historic stream had been renamed, so I contacted many other Fretwell genealogists and requested their assistance in getting U.S. Geological Survey to restore the old historic name. I cautioned that we must not be too hopeful, but we needed to try. Failure to try meant certain defeat.
To my considerable surprise, our efforts bore fruit. On October 25, 2007, I received an official letter saying the old name had been restored. It is well worth reading because of the history citation now included with the feature description.
Fretwell Ranch-- This ranch is currently owned by Robert Carl and Terry Margaret Fretwell. Robert obtained the ranch from his mother, Hazel (Danner) Fretwell, wife of Orville Glenn Fretwell. Orville and Hazel bought this 200 acre ranch in the 1930s. We visited Hazel in 2007, and visited her son and the ranch. Here are a few photos of the ranch.
Following is a photo of Hazel and her three children: Glenn, Rebecca, and Robert. Robert owns the ranch.
Fretwell Reservoir-- The brainchild of Orville Glenn Fretwell, this small reservoir was constructed in the hills near Jordan Valley, Oregon to provide irrigation water to the valley. Unfortunately, the reservoir was built on highly permeable rock, and doesn't hold water well. Some locals nicknamed it "Fretwell's Dry Hole." It is reachable only by a very rough dirt road, so I have no picture of it. But here is a photo of Orville and Hazel Fretwell in the earlier days of their marriage.
There are several other Fretwell landmarks not catalogued by U.S.G.S. that we are aware of. I have developed a table similar to that of the U.S.G.S. to list these extra features:
Feature Name Type State Latitude Longitude Remarks Lake Fretwell Park Park Florida 30.22333 - 81.89611 1 Lake Fretwell Reservoir Florida 30.22333 - 81.89611 2 Lake Fretwell Street Road Florida 30.22333 - 81.89611 3 Fretwell Drive Road So. Carolina 34.50193 - 82.68879 4 Fretwell Building Building No. Carolina 5 Fretwell Building Building California 37°13.227 121°58.966 6
REMARKS
No information as to whom it was named after.
No information as to whom it was named after. Lake Fretwell is right beside Lake Fretwell Park.
No information as to whom it was named after. Lake Fretwell St. leads to Lake Fretwell Park.
In Anderson, South Carolina, 29624. No information as to whom it was named after.
On the Univ. of North Carolina campus, Charlotte, North Carolina.
In Los Gatos, California at 88-98 West Main Street and University Avenue.
Lake Fretwell Park-- We have no information about the person for whom this feature is named. Anyone knowing which Fretwell it was named for and why, please contact us.
Lake Fretwell-- We have no information about the person for whom this feature is named. Anyone knowing which Fretwell it was named for and why, please contact us. We do know that Lake Fretwell Park and Lake Fretwell are geographically together.
Lake Fretwell Street-- We have no information about the person for whom this feature is named. Anyone knowing which Fretwell it was named for and why, please contact us. Lake Fretwell Street leads directly to Lake Fretwell Park and Lake Fretwell.
We saved the photo of the three features listed above until now, so you can see them all together. Lake Fretwell is on the left. Lake Fretwell Park is where the two baseball fields are evident, and Lake Fretwell Street is the road leading to them.
Fretwell Drive-- We have no information about the person for whom this feature is named. Anyone knowing which Fretwell it was named for and why, please contact us. Fretwell Drive is a short residential road near Anderson County Airport. Two pictures of it follow.
Fretwell Building, North Carolina-- The Fretwell Building is on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It is named in honor of E.K. Fretwell, Jr., former Chancellor there. This classroom building houses the departments of English, Mathematics, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Communication Studies.
Fretwell Building, California-- This Fretwell Building is on the corner at 88-98 West Main Street and University Avenue. It is typical of the Romanesque Revival. Built in 1907, it is a good example of early heavy reinforced concrete construction. The fine detailing of the concrete facade really looks like stone and the storefronts remain basically unchanged. Note the name "Fretwell Building" imbedded in the window arches. The First National Bank of Los Gatos occupied the building from 1912 to 1918.
If you know of other place names or building bearing our family name, please let us know.