The Virgin River (Washington) originates east of Rockville at the junction of the North and East forks and drains southwest into Lake Mead. The early Spaniards named it El Rio de Sulfureo for the nearby hot sulphur springs. Jedediah Smith named it the Adams River for John Adams, who was president of the United States at that time (this name never held). Some records claim Smith named the river after Thomas Virgin, a member of his 1827 party. Virgin was severely wounded by Indians in this area and was later killed in the fight on the Umpqua River.