Have you ever wondered who or what our city streets were named for? Were they named after men or women, first names or last names? Well, here’s the answer, starting with A.
Aldrich Ave.— —named for Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1907). He was a poet, short story writer and editor. At age 13 he wrote articles for magazines and newspapers. In 1881 he became the editor of the Atlantic Monthly magazine. His most widely read work was The Story of a Bad Boy, taken from his boyhood experiences. Co-honored was Cyrus Aldrich (1808-1871) who came to Minnesota in 1855, was a member of Congress from 1859-1863 and served as Minneapolis Postmaster from 1867-1871.
Bryant Ave.— —named for William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878). He was an early American poet and editor. Writing poetry at age 14, he later went to law school and was admitted to the bar in 1815. But his passion was literature and he published several collections of poems, his most famous being Thanatopsis. He founded the New York Review, then became editor of the Evening Post.
Colfax Ave.— —named for Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885). An American statesman, he was elected to Congress in 1854 by the newly-formed Republican Party and served until 1869. After that, he became U.S. Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant.
Dupont Ave.— —named for Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont (1803-1865). He was a naval commander in the Mexican and Civil Wars. At age 12 he was commissioned a midshipman and during the Mexican War had service on the California coast. In 1857 he was placed in command of the steam frigate “Minnesota.” He became a rear-admiral in 1862 and contributed to organizing the Naval School at Annapolis.
Emerson Ave.— —named for Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). He was an essayist, poet and philosopher. His nickname was “The Sage of Concord.” He graduated from Harvard in 1821 and was an ordained minister of the 2nd Unitarian Church. He devoted himself to the study of the nature of man and man’s relation to the universe.
Fremont Ave.— —named for John Charles Fremont (1813-1890). He was an explorer and an American general. He took on extensive explorations of the Rocky Mountains, defining the geography, botany, geology and meteorology of that region. In 1846 he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and civil governor of the territory of California, overseeing that Mexico concede its possession of that territory to the U.S. In 1861, at outbreak of Civil War, he was appointed major-general.
Girard Ave.— —named for Stephen Girard (1750-1831). He was an American philanthropist and merchant. In 1769 he established the Second National Bank in Philadelphia. He advanced several million dollars to the U.S. Treasury during the War of 1812 and made a bequest of $2 million for the erection and maintenance of a college in Philadelphia to educate poor white orphan boys. It was called Girard College.
Humboldt Ave. ——named for Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). Born in Berlin, he became a distinguished German scientist, author and naturalist. From childhood he was interested in zoological, physical and geographical subjects. His observations attested to the genius and charm of his literary style.
Irving Ave. ——named for Washington Irving (1783-1859). He was a well known American author. Even though he was educated as a lawyer, his taste was in literature. From 1802 on, he contributed to journals and periodicals. He was also a military secretary to the governor of the State of New York. He was the creator of Ichabod Crane (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and Rip Van Winkle.
James Ave. ——named for George P.R. James (1801-1860). He was an English novelist and historical writer. At a young age he showed talent for literary composition. Later, he composed his first novel, then a series of more than 60 novels, aside from historical and other works. He accepted the office of British Consulate at Richmond, Virginia, then at Venice.
Knox Ave. ——named for Henry Knox (1750-1806). A military officer in the Revolutionary War, he served at Yorktown as a major-general. He was appointed secretary of war by Congress in 1785. Being a valued friend of Washington, he assisted him in disbanding the army and in managing Indian affairs.
Logan Ave. —named for John Alexander Logan (1826-1886). He was a statesman and an American soldier who was made a lieutenant in the Mexican War at age 20. He again enlisted on the outbreak of the Civil War and rose to rank of major-general, serving with Wm. Tecumseh Sherman on his march to the sea. He was noted for his valor and patriotism and was elected U.S. Senator from Illinois in 1871, 1877 and 1883.
So now, dear readers, the last half of the alphabetical street names will be revealed later. Credits are given to Harry Boquist, who found these names in one of his books, called 1969 Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham. Enlarged upon from the Times Encyclopedia and Gazetteer, copyright 1935.