November 19, 2007
11-20-07
Origins of the Tuna Creek
The Tunungwant. There isn't much documentation available about who named it or what it even means but there is plenty of speculation.
Common spelling: Tunungwant
Variations: Tunegawant, Tunagawant, Tunangwant, Tuneangwon, Tunaunguant, others?
Known locally: The Tuna
According to U.S. Board on Geographic Names (1892), Tunungwant is the name officially recognized by the U.S. Government.
WORD ORIGIN:
Commonly accepted version: from the Seneca language meaning "crooked creek"
Others suggested meanings:
"The city is in a valley at the point where the east and west tributaries of Tunungwant Creek converge. That's a Native American term for either "crooked creek" or "frog," depending on whom you talk to. Everyone calls it Tuna Creek for short."
-Tim Ziaukas from http://www.umc.pitt.edu/PITTMAG/mar96/termsh.html
"The east branch of Tuna Creek (this creek derives its name from the eddy at its mouth, called by the Indians Ichunuagwant or Big Cove with Large Mouth)"
-History of McKean County, Ch. X, from http://www.rootsweb.com/~pamckean/BeersHistory/townshipbradford.htm
View on Tuneangwon Creek, Bradford, Pa., Color Postcard. #G3891. Copyright 1904 by the Rotograph Co. So far this is the only historical document we have seen with this spelling.
OTHER TUNA RESOURCES
The Botanical Journal of G.W. Clinton from June, 1864 has some interesting biological and historical aspects of the Tuna. It is worth the read:
http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/ResBot/Hist/Diary/Diary1864June.htm
Nov. 20, 2007: [Ed. Note]: We have contacted some native Seneca speakers for possible clarification on this issue.
Reference:
U.S. Board on Geographic Names. (1892). First report of the United States Board on Geographic names: 1890-1981. Washington, DC: Author.
©2007 MBPS
