His book, now in its seventh edition, is a comprehensive source of information on the origins and history of Oregon place names.

His mother, Harriet Nesmith McArthur, organized of the Oregon Historical Society and served on its board from 1898 until 1924.

In 1910, McArthur went to work for the Pacific Power and Light Company, as one of its first employees.

He studied the journals of early explorers, read pioneer diaries, browsed newspapers archives, researched government documents, and thoroughly reviewed every book on Oregon history he could find.

The book was quickly recognized as the authoritative source for information regarding the origins and history of Oregon place names.

In that edition, McArthur added a great deal of new information about Oregon post offices and abandoned settlement sites.

It contains information on over 6,200 Oregon geographic features and communities throughout the state including early settlements that no longer exist.

The rim is a prominent ridge with a high cliff face located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains in Deschutes County, Oregon.