History Detroit 1701-2001

12th Street - Now known as "Rosa Parks Boulevard" in honor of Civil Right's activist Rosa Parks.
1st Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
2nd Avenue/Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
3rd Avenue/Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
4th Avenue/Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
5th Street/Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
6 Mile Road - Is located approximately 6 miles North of the Detroit River (measuring from the beginning of Wooward Avenue).(Read More)
7 Mile Road - Is located approximately 7 miles North of the Detroit River (measuring from the beginning of Wooward Avenue).(Read More)
8 Mile Road E-W - Is located approximately 8 miles North of the Detroit River (measuring from the beginning of Wooward Avenue).(Read More)
Abbott Street - Possibly named for early Detroiter, James Abbott, or his son James Abbott, who was one of the city's first postmasters. Mary Bailey, of the Detroit News, writes, "Abbott Street was opened in 1835 and was named for James Abbott Jr., born in Detroit in 1776. His father, James Abbott Sr., came to Detroit in 1768 and organized a fur trading partnership with several local men. James Jr. was educated in Montreal, and followed his father into the fur business. His first Detroit store was near the southwest corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge. He also was postmaster from 1806 to 1831. His home, store, post office and fur warehouse were all located below Woodbridge on Woodward."
Aberle Street - Named after Elias Aberle, land owner
Adair Street - Named for William Adair nurseryman and landowner; 1862
Adams Avenue E-W - Named for John Adams, second President of the United States
Adelaide Street - Named for the wife of Elijah Brush.
Agnes Avenue - Named after youngest daughter of Moses W. Field
Alexandrine Avenue E-W - Named for Alexandrine M. Willis the wife of B. Campau, land owner; 1863.
Alfred Street - Named for the son of Elijah Brush
Amherst - Named for Jeffery Amherst, first English Governor of Canada
Amsterdam Street - Named after city in Holland
Anderson Avenue/Street - Named after friend of James Nall
Andrus Avenue (Ham) - Named after F.D. Andrus, landowner
Ann Street - Now known as Pitcher (?) Street. Named for the wife of FJB Crane, a landowner.
Anthon Street - Named for George Christian Anthon, a garrison doctor in British Detroit.
Antietam Street - Named from the battle of Antietam in the Civil War.
Antoinette Street - Named for Antoinette Mandlebaum, wife of S. Mandlebaum
Arch Street - Now known as Bagg Street (?). Named for Arch McLean.
Army Street - Named in honor of soldiers at Fort Wayne
Arndt Street - Named for Henry Arndt, land owner
Arthur Avenue (Spw) - Named after President Chester A. Arthur
Ash Street - Named for a tree indigenous to Michigan
Askin - Likely named for John Askin, an early Detroit settler. His farm, the Askin Farm, later became the Brush farm, when Askin's daughter married Elijah Brush.
Atkinson Avenue - Named for W.F. Atkinson, of Detroit
Atwater Street E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Atwater was named for Reuben Attwater (the spelling was different but early Detroiters didn't seem to care) and because the street was "at the water." Attwater was Secretary of the Michigan Territory in 1808 and was acting governor in the absence of Gov. William Hull in the 1800s."
Audrain Street - I don't find this on any map. It was supposedly named for Peter Audrain, Secretary of Governor and Judges Territorial Legislature and Clerk of Courts
Aurelia Street - Named for Aurelia Cutler of Warren, MA, friend of W.B. Wesson
Bagley Avenue - Named for Governor John Judson Bagley. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Bagley Avenue commemorates John J. Bagley, who served two successive terms as Michigan governor from 1877 to 1881. Bagley made Detroit a chewing tobacco leader in the 1840s with Mayflower chewing tobacco. He was also the first president of Michigan Mutual Life Insurance in 1867, a bank trustee, and police commissioner in 1865."
Barker Street - Possibly named for Kirkland barker, 33rd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1864-1865).
Barry Street - Possibly named for Michigan Governor John S. Barry (1842-1846).
Bassett Avenue - Possibly named for Major Henry Bassett, Ninth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1772-1774).
Beaubien Street - Named for the Beaubien family and their farm, which was bordered by Beaubien Street. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Beaubien and St. Antoine originated from the two Beaubien brothers, Lambert and Antoine, each of whom received half of the family farm after the death of their father, Jean Baptiste Beaubien, one of the first white settlers on the river, opposite Fort Dearborn. Lambert was a colonel in the First Regiment of Detroit's militia. He fought in the War of 1812. Antoine chose to name his property after his patron saint, St. Antoine. Antoine was a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Territorial Militia. He donated a chunk of his land for the Sacred Heart Academy, once located at the corner of Jefferson and St. Antoine."
Beech Street - Named for a forest tree of Michigan
Beecher Street - Named for Henry Ward Beecher
Bennett Avenue/Street - Possibly named for Thomas Bennett, Thirteenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1786).
Biddle Avenue - Probably named for John Biddle, 4th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1827-1828).
Bloody Run - Name given to Parent's Creek in 1763 after 160 British soldiers died their during Pontiac's War.
Bonaparte Avenue - Probably named for Napoleon Bonaparte.
Boston Avenue - Named for the City of Boston in MA
Boston Boulevard E-W - Named for the City of Boston in MA
Bostwick Street - Named after James Bostwick, land owner
Brainard Street - Named for Martha Brainard-Spencer, the wife of General Joseph Spencer and grandmother of Mrs. Lewis Cass
Breckenridge Avenue - Named for Vice President John C. Breckenridge
Brevoort Place - Named for Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward.
Brush Street - Named for Elijah Brush's farm (originally the Askin farm belonging to John Askin). Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Brush was named after Edmund Askin Brush, son of Elijah Brush, who was a leading lawyer and Detroit's second appointed mayor. Brush Street was also the Brush property boundary. Edmund studied law, as did his father before him. He was Secretary to the Governor and judge of the Michigan Territory in 1823, a private secretary to Lewis Cass in 1826, a court recorder, a member of the City Planning Commission and a police commissioner. "
Bryant Avenue - Named for the aunt of W.B. Wesson
Buchanan Street - Named for President James Buchanan
Buena Vista Avenue E-W (HP) - an American victory at Buena Vista, Mexico in 1847Highland Park
Buhl Avenue - Named for Christian Buhl, 31st Mayor of the City of Detroit (1860-1861).
Bushey Street - Named for Joseph Bushey, land owner
Butler Avenue (Ham) - Named for Milton H. Butler, land ownerHamtramck
Butternut Street - Named for the tree indigenous to Michigan
Cabacier's Creek - See May's Creek
Cadillac Avenue - Named for the founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.
Cadillac Boulevard - Named for the founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.
Cadillac Square - Named for the founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.
Campau Street N-S - Named for the Campau family ribbon farm.
Campau's River - See May's Creek
Cass Avenue - Named for Lewis Cass.
Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Like a number of other streets located west of Woodward, Cass was once a farm boundary line. The Lewis Cass farm, purchased from the Macomb family, was one of the largest Detroit farms, the width of Cass to Third Street and north from the Detroit River to Grand Boulevard in length. The 500 acres bought for $12,000 and the subsequent growth of Detroit made Cass a very wealthy man.

Cass came to Detroit as a schoolmaster in the early 1800s and became a lawyer, a colonel in the militia, and a general in the U.S. Army.

In 1813 President James Madison appointed Cass the second governor of the Michigan territory, a post he held for 18 years. He became a U.S. Senator from Michigan in 1845. In 1848 he ran for president as a Democrat, but lost to Whig Zachary Taylor. He served in the Senate until 1857 and was President James Buchanan's Secretary of State.

Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort."
Chandler Avenue - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Chandler is the namesake of Senator Zachariah Chandler, a leading merchant, former mayor of Detroit (1851) and founder of the Republican party. The Detroit News building on Lafayette was built on the site of his former home."
Chandler Avenue (HP) - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Chandler is the namesake of Senator Zachariah Chandler, a leading merchant, former mayor of Detroit (1851) and founder of the Republican party. The Detroit News building on Lafayette was built on the site of his former home."
Chandler Park Drive - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Chandler is the namesake of Senator Zachariah Chandler, a leading merchant, former mayor of Detroit (1851) and founder of the Republican party. The Detroit News building on Lafayette was built on the site of his former home."
Charlevoix Avenue - Named for Father Pierre Francis Xavier Charlevoix.
Chene Street - Named for the Chene family ribbon farm.
Cherry Street - Now known as "Kaline Street" for Tiger great, Al Kaline.
Clifford Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Clifford has a bit of humor attached to its name. Thomas Cliff owned the only home in this area of the city and ran a tavern where the David Whitney Building now stands. A creek crossed the road near the tavern and overflowed onto the road in the spring. When the festive set of Detroit wanted some merry-making, they usually went up to Cliff's place and crossed over the creek by means of stepping stones. When the roisterers returned they had great difficulty keeping on the stones, so they would return to town wet to their knees (sometimes even elbows). The townspeople referred to the crossing as "Cliff's ford." It first appeared on a map published by John Farmer in 1835."
Cobb Place - Named for Ty Cobb.
Colorado Avenue (HP) - Named for the state of Colorado.Highland Park
Columbia Avenue E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."
Columbus Avenue - Probably named for Christopher Columbus.
Congress Street E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Congress was named in honor of the 1826 Congress. In that year, Congress granted to Detroit the military reserve through which the street ran."
Defer Place - Possibly named for George Defer.
Delaware Avenue - Named for the state of Delaware.
Dequindre Street - Named for the Dequindre family ribbon farm.
Devereaux Street - Named for Red Wing, Boyd Devereaux -- just kidding.
Edsel Avenue - Named for Edsel Ford -- or his flop of a car!
Elizabeth Street E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."
Fairchild Avenue - Fairchild Road in Chesterfield, was named after Stephen Fairchild, an old-time civic leader. It is possible that this was named for the same person.(Some information courtesy of Frank DeFrank with the Macomb Daily and Robert Szudarek)
Florida Avenue - Named for the state of Florida
Ford Avenue (HP) - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.Highland Park
Ford Court - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.
Ford Highway - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.
Ford Highway (Spw) - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.
Ford Road (Spw) - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.
Fort Street E-W-S - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Fort and Shelby streets were named after Fort Shelby, which was located there. The western point of Fort Street was opened and named in 1827 when the remains of Fort Shelby were razed. The fort was named after Gov. Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, who aided Michigan in the War of 1812 with troops from his home state. "
Frontenac Avenue - Named for Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, Governor of New France (1698).
Garfield Avenue - Probably name for President Garfield.
Garfield Place - Probably name for President Garfield.
Garland Avenue - Could have been named for the Garland Range, produced by the Michigan Stove Company, which was located, not on, but near Garland Avenue.
Gilchrist Street - Named for former Detroit Red Wing Brent Gilchrist (just kidding!). I don't know this one.
Gore Avenue - Named for Should-Be-President Al Gore (just kidding!). I don't know this one.
Grand River E-W - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Grand River was part of the original road that led west from Detroit to the Grand River at Grand Rapids."
Gratiot Avenue - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path (some say at was a military road). It's named after Gen. Charles Gratiot, the engineer in charge of the project. Construction on Gratiot was completed in 1831.(Some information courtesy of Frank DeFrank with the Macomb Daily and Robert Szudarek)
Griswold Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Griswold was named by Michigan Territorial governor William Woodbridge in honor of Governor Roger Griswold of Connecticut. "
Groesbeck Highway - Named for former Michigan Governor Alex J. Groesbeck. Groesbeck launched the highway project during his term.(Information courtesy of Frank DeFrank with the Macomb Daily and Robert Szudarek)
Hancock Avenue E-W - Hancock is a very common street name, probably referring to John Hancock.
Harding Avenue - Possibly named for President Harding.
Havana Avenue - Probably named after Havana, Cuba.
Hayes Avenue - Common street name. Probably named for President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Idaho Avenue - Named for the state of Idaho.
Illinois Street - Named for the state of Illinois.
Indiana Avenue - Named for the state of Indiana.
Iowa Avenue - Named for the state of Iowa.
James Couzens Highway - Named for the 50th Mayor of the City of Detroit, James Couzens.
Jefferson Avenue E-W - Named for Thomas Jefferson. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Jefferson Avenue was named for President Thomas Jefferson, who appointed the first Michigan territorial officials and was a good friend of Augustus Woodward. It was first surveyed in 1807 and named "Main Street," but soon renamed for Jefferson. At its intersection with Griswold it passes through the heart of the old cemetery of St. Anne's Church where the remains of Detroit's earliest inhabitants are buried. "
John R. Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."
Jos. Campau Avenue - Named for early Detroiter Joseph Campau. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Joseph Campau was named for one of the wealthiest and best known citizens of Detroit. His grandfather came here with Cadillac, the founder of Detroit, and established what were afterwards known as James Campau, Chene and Poupard farms. Joseph Campau was a descendant of the third generation, born in Detroit in 1769. He opened a store on Atwater and became the first Detroit merchant to buy goods in Boston. He was the first real estate promoter of Detroit, who made a business of buying vacant lots and building homes on them to sell or rent."
Joseph S. Stringham Court - Named for Joseph S. Stringham
Kaline Drive - Formerly Cherry Street, the name was changed in honor of Tiger legend, Al Kaline.
King Richard - Name for King Richard, I suppose.
Kipling Avenue - Possibly named for author Rudyard Kipling.
Lafayette Avenue E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Most large U.S. cities have a street, park, or square bearing the name of the Revolutionary war hero Marquis de Lafayette. Detroit is no exception."
Lafayette Boulevard - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Most large U.S. cities have a street, park, or square bearing the name of the Revolutionary war hero Marquis de Lafayette. Detroit is no exception."
LaMothe Avenue - Named for Detroit's founder, Antoine La Mothe Cadillac
Lansing Avenue - Named for Lansing, Michigan's capitol city.
Larned Street E-W - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Larned's namesake was General Charles Larned. He settled in Detroit after assisting General William Henry Harrison in ridding the town of the British in the War of 1812. He became a U.S. attorney in 1814 and served in local government."
LaSalle Boulevard - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle
LaSalle Court - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle
LaSalle Gardens N-S - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle
Lernoult Street - Named for Captain Richard Beringer Lernoult, commandant of the garrison at Detroit in 1774.
Lincoln Avenue - Probably named for Abraham Lincoln.
Livernois Avenue N-S - Named for the Livernois family ribbon farm.
Lodge Drive - Possibly named for Detroit's 51st, 54th and 56th Mayor, John Cabot Lodge.
Louisiana Avenue - Named for the state of Louisiana.
Mack Avenue - Named for Mayor Andrew Mack (1834).
Macomb Street - Named for early Detroiter, Alexander Macomb and his family. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Macomb owes its name to the Macomb family, one of Detroit's earliest settlers. They owned large parcels of land and at one time owned Hog Island, later named Belle Isle."
Maine Avenue - Named for the state of Maine.
Mark Twain Avenue - Named for Edgar Allen Poe. Well, seriously�who wouldn't know this street was named for Mark Twain?
Marquette Avenue - Probably named for Father Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit and explorer.
Marquette Drive - Probably named for Father Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit and explorer.
Marseilles Avenue - Probably named for the French city of Marseilles.
Martindale Avenue N-S - Named for talk show host Wink Martindale. Just kidding! Don't know this one.
Marx Avenue - Karl Marx? The Marx Brothers?
May's Creek - Named for James May. Originally the creek was called Campau's River; then Cabacier's Creek for Joseph Cabacier.
Meldrum Avenue - Named for James Meldrum's farms which was on the east side of Meldrum Avenue.
Meldrum Court - Named for James Meldrum's farms which was on the east side of Meldrum Avenue.
Miami Avenue N-S - Named for the Miami people (a Native American nation or tribe).
Michigan Avenue - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path.
Milwaukee Avenue E-W - Named for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Minerva Street - Minerva is the Roman Goddess of wisdom, invention and the arts. This street may or may not be named for her.
Minneapolis - Named for the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Minnesota Avenue E-W - Named for the state of Minnesota.
Missouri Avenue - Named for the state of Missouri.
Monroe Avenue - Probably named for President James Monroe.
Montana Avenue E-W - Named for the state of Montana.
Moran Avenue - Could be named for Charles Moran, a judge in British Detroit; or for his son John V.
Moravian - Moravian in Clinton Township was named after missionaries who settled near Mount Clemens in the late 1700s. The Moravians were evicted from settlements in Ohio and charged by British authorities with being sympathetic to the American cause.(Information courtesy of Frank DeFrank with the Macomb Daily and Robert Szudarek)
Morse Avenue - Possibly named for morse code inventor Samuel Morse.
Mound Avenue/Road - Named for a large, ancient Native American burial (and ceremonial?) mound located in an area near the road.
Mullett Street - Named for the famous hockey hair cut -- just kidding. Don't have a clue�
Munich Avenue - Possibly named for the German city of Munich.
Napoleon Street - Probably named for the famous French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Nashville Avenue - Probably named for the Tennessee city of Nashville.
Navarre Street - Named for the Navarre family. Probably Robert Navarre specifically, as he played a large role in French and British Detroit city affairs.
Navin Avenue - Named for one-time Detroit Tigers owner, Frank Navin (Navin Field was once the name of the ballpark that stood where Tiger Stadium stands today).
Nebraska Avenue - Probably named for the state of Nebraska.
Nevada Avenue E-W - Probably named for the state of Nevada.
New York Street - Probably named for the state of New York.
Newark Street - Could be named for the city of Newark, New Jersey. Was originally Alexander Street, named for Alexander Stanton, the son of General Henry Stanton.
Norfolk Avenue - Possibly named for the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Norway Avenue - Probably named for the country of Norway.
Oakland Avenue - Possibly named for Oakland, California.
Ohio Avenue - Probably named for the stat of Ohio.
Omaha Avenue - Could be named for the city of Omaha, Nebraska.
Orchestra Place - Named for Orchestra Hall which is located at Wooward and Orchestra Place.
Oregon Avenue - Probably named for the state of Oregon.
Ottawa Place - Named for the Ottawa, a Native American tribe/nation.
Pacific Avenue - Named for the ocean?
Packard Avenue - Probably named for the Packard Motor Company.
Panama Avenue - Probably named for the country of Panama.
Parent's Creek - Named for Joseph Parent.
Park Avenue - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Park Avenue received its name in 1835 because of its starting point at Grand Circus Park."
Patton Avenue - Named for General Patton?
Pear Street - Could be named for the pear trees planted by Cadillac in honor of King Louis of France.
Petoskey Avenue - Probably named for Michigan's state rock, the Petoskey stone.
Philadelphia Avenue E-W - Probably named for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pingree Avenue - Named for former Detroit Mayor, Hazen Pingree.
Pingree Square - Named for former Detroit Mayor, Hazen Pingree.
Pitcher Street - I don't find this on any map. But it supposedly replaced Ann Street in 1887.
Pittsburgh - Named for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Poland Avenue (Ham) - Named for the country of Poland.
Ponchartrain Drive W - Named for Louis (or Jerome) Ponchartrain, Minister of Marine at the court of King Louis of France. Also the name of Detroit's first settlement (Fort Ponchartrain du Detroit).
Pontiac Street - Named for Ottawa Chief, Pontiac.
Randolph Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Randolph Street was named after John Randolph, the Virginia statesman and orator in the early 1800s."
Rhode Island Avenue (HP) - Named for the state of Rhode Island
Richard Avenue - Possibly named for Father Gabriel Richard.
Riopelle Street - Named for the Riopelle family ribbon farm.
Rosa Parks Boulevard - Formerly 12th Street, the name was changed in honor of Civil Right's activist Rosa Parks.
Shelby Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Fort and Shelby streets were named after Fort Shelby, which was located there. The western point of Fort Street was opened and named in 1827 when the remains of Fort Shelby were razed. The fort was named after Gov. Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, who aided Michigan in the War of 1812 with troops from his home state. "
St. Antoine Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Beaubien and St. Antoine originated from the two Beaubien brothers, Lambert and Antoine, each of whom received half of the family farm after the death of their father, Jean Baptiste Beaubien, one of the first white settlers on the river, opposite Fort Dearborn. Lambert was a colonel in the First Regiment of Detroit's militia. He fought in the War of 1812. Antoine chose to name his property after his patron saint, St. Antoine. Antoine was a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Territorial Militia. He donated a chunk of his land for the Sacred Heart Academy, once located at the corner of Jefferson and St. Antoine."
St. Aubin Avenue - Named for the St. Aubin family ribbon farm.
Stanton Avenue - Named for General Henry Stanton
State Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "State Street was named in 1835, the year the State of Michigan was organized. The capitol was on the street until 1847, when it was moved to Lansing."
Taft Avenue - Probably named for Preisdent Taft.
Taft Place - Probably named for Preisdent Taft.
Temple Avenue - Named for the Masonic Temple, which is located on it.
Tennessee Avenue - Probably named for the state of Tennessee.
Tonti Street - Named for Alphonse de Tonti (Tonty), Cadillac's first in command.
Trumbull Avenue - Named for the son-in-law of William Woodbridge.
Van Dyke Avenue - Named for Mayor James A. Van Dyke (1847)
Vermont Avenue - Named for the state of Vermont.
Virginia Avenue - Probably named for the state of Virginia
Virginia Park - Probably named for the state of Virginia
Washington Boulevard - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Washington Boulevard was originally named Washington Grand Avenue after General Washington, according to the Woodward Plan. In 1828 it was renamed Wayne after General Anthony Wayne, the American commanding officer at Detroit in 1796. The street was later renamed again after the first president."
Wayne Street - Named for General Anthony Wayne.
Wight Street - Was originally named Alexander for Alexander Fraser. Not sure where the "Wight" comes from.
Williams Avenue - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."
Winder Street - Named for Colonel John Winder
Windsor Avenue - Named for Windsor, Ontario.
Wisconsin Avenue - Probably named for the state of Wisconsin.
Witherell Street - Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Witherall [sic] was named after James Witherall, who succeeded Frederick Bates as one of the first Michigan territorial judges in 1808. He was a major in the War of 1812 and commanded General William Hull's army in Detroit. He was Territorial Secretary in 1828 and prompted the establishment of a public school system. "
Woodbridge Street E-W - Named for William Woodbridge. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "William Woodbridge owned land west of the Cass farm and was active in early Detroit government. He was secretary of the Michigan Territory in 1814, a Michigan representative to Congress in 1819, territorial judge in 1827, governor of Michigan in 1839 and U.S. senator in 1841. His legacy is remembered in Woodbridge Street."
Woodrow Wilson - Named for President Woodrow Wilson.
Woodward Avenue - Named for Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Woodward Avenue had its humble beginnings as a Native American hunting/travelling path.