My mind (and heart) must still be in my birthplace, The Bronx. In elementary school, the teachers would raise cain if you didn't capitalize the T.

What makes it special to me as a place name is that unlike The Dalles et al, it's not named after a landmark like a harbor or river rapids or such, but a family, that of the Dutch patroon, Jonas Bronk.

What an impact on history and the face of the land to have your family homestead become the world famous name of a place. Can I aspire someday to having some place called The Deixels? I doubt it unless I move out of this sixth floor apartment and into an uninhabited desert destined for future urbanization.