How Hockinson Got Its Name

October 14, 2022

Period-style illustration representing Hockinson's transition from the Eureka settlement to the Hockinson name

Hockinson got its name from Ambrosius Hokanson, an early storekeeper and the community's first postmaster. Historical records say the area had earlier been known as Eureka, but when Hokanson petitioned for a post office in 1884, the local post office received an anglicized form of his name because another Eureka already existed in Washington.

Quick facts about the Hockinson name

Earlier name: Eureka
Person tied to the Hockinson name: Ambrosius Hokanson
Post-office petition: 1884
Earlier settlement roots: about 1862
Organized school history: 1870

Who was Ambrosius Hokanson?

Historical records identify Hokanson as an early storekeeper and Hockinson's first postmaster. His role placed him at the center of the community's mail and commercial activity. Read more in Who Was Ambrosius Hokanson?

From Eureka to Hockinson

The community was earlier known as Eureka. In 1884, Hokanson petitioned for a post office. Because another Eureka already existed in Washington, the local post office was named Hockinson, an anglicized form of Hokanson. A surviving historical caption states that an early post office—and subsequently the community itself—received the anglicized form of his name. The earlier Eureka story is covered in Why Hockinson Was Originally Called Eureka.

What does 1884 mean in Hockinson history?

The year 1884 belongs to the post-office and naming story. It should not be confused with the community's earlier settlement roots or later milestones. Hockinson's settlement roots reach back to about 1862, while organized school history begins in 1870. The year 1889 belongs to the handmade Hockinson flag, explained in Why Hockinson Has an 1889 Flag.

That is why a generic “Hockinson — Est. 1889” label is historically misleading. The more accurate heritage story is Eureka, early settlement, the 1870 school milestone and the 1884 Hockinson naming era.

Why the Heritage Series begins with 1884

The Hockinson Heritage 1884–2026 Limited Edition Series begins with 1884 because it is the documented naming and post-office milestone. Later dates in the series—1890, 1900, 1910 and onward through 2026—represent design eras, not claims that Hockinson was established again in those years.