User:Engineerchange/sandbox/List of Washington, D.C. placename etymologies

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{{Short description|none}} This is a list of place name etymologies in Washington, D.C.

Place names[edit]

Place Namesake Notes
Abe Pollin Way Abe Pollin The street was renamed after Pollin. It was announced in December 2007.[1]
Adam's Mill Road Named after a road on Adam's Mill, a Revolutionary War era mill in Rock Creek.[2]
Anacostia Park See Anacostia River's etymology.[3]
Anacostia River Anacostia is named after the first human inhabitants of the area. Anacostia is the latinization of the Algonquian name "Nacotchtank".[3]
Banneker Circle Benjamin Banneker[4]
Banneker Drive Benjamin Banneker[5]
Barnaby Run Barnaby family Barnaby Run (or Barnaby Branch) was named after the Barnaby family who owned an old house in the area.[6]
Barney Circle Joshua Barney In August 1911, the circle was named after Barney.[7]
Barry Farm James D. Barry[8]
Benjamin Banneker Park Benjamin Banneker[5] The park was dedicated in 1971 after Banneker.
Black Lives Matter Plaza Named after the Black Lives Matter political and social movement.[5][9]
Blagden Road Thomas Blagden[10]
Boris Nemtsov Plaza Boris Nemtsov[11]
Brentwood Hamilton Park Robert Brent[8]
Brishell Jones Way Brishell Jones The street was named after Jones who was 16 years old when she died from gun violence in 2010.[12]
Brentwood Playground Robert Brent[8]
Bruce Monroe Community Garden James Monroe[8] The Monroe in "Bruce Monroe" is named for president James Monroe.
Bryce Park James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce The park was dedicated to British Ambassador Bryce.[13]
Chain Bridge In 1810, a bridge with suspension partly supported by chains was created. In 1870, the bridge's chains were replaced with iron trusses, but the name remains.[14]
Clara Barton Parkway Clara Barton A portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway was renamed in her honor in 1989.[5][15]
Constitution Avenue In 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed legislation to change the name of B Street North to Constitution Avenue.[14]
Craig Street Douglas Craig Named after a deaf African American student and employee of Gallaudet University.[16]
Dupont Circle Samuel Francis Du Pont The circle was originally called Pacific Circle. It was renamed after the statue of Du Pont was dedicated in 1884.[17]
Farragut Square David Farragut[18]
Farragut Street David Farragut[5]
Folger Park Charles J. Folger The park was named after Secretary of the Treasury Folger in 1885.[19]
Fort Bayard George Dashiell Bayard The fort was built in 1863 and named after Bayard who died in 1862.[20]
Fort Bunker Hill The fort was built in 1861 and was named after the fortification at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts.[21]
Fort Carroll Samuel S. Carroll[22]
Fort Chaplin Daniel Chaplin The fort was built in 1864 and it was named after Chaplin.[23]
Fort Davis Benjamin Franklin Davis The fort was built in 1861. It was named after Davis who died in 1863. It was abandoned in 1865.[24]
Fort DeRussy Gustavus De Russy The fort was built in 1861. It was named after DeRussy.[25]
Fort DuPont Samuel Francis Du Pont The fort was built in 1861 and completed in 1862. It was named after Du Pont.[26]
Fort Foote Andrew Hull Foote The fort was built in 1863. It was named after Foote who died in 1863.[27]
Fort Greble John Trout Greble Construction of the fort started in 1861 and concluded in 1864. It was named after Greble who died in 1861.[28]
Fort Mahan Dennis Hart Mahan[29]
Fort Reno Park Jesse Lee Reno The fort was built in 1861 and was originally called Fort Pennsylvania. It was named after Reno who died in 1862.[30]
Fort Slocum John S. Slocum The fort was built in 1861. It was named after Slocum, who died at the Battle of Manassas in 1861. He was the commander of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers who built the fortification.[31]
Fort Stanton Edwin Stanton The fort was built in 1861. It was named after U.S. Secretary of State Stanton.[32]
Fort Stevens Isaac Stevens The fort was originally named Fort Massachusetts but was renamed after Stevens after his death in 1862.[33]
Fort Totten Joseph Gilbert Totten[5] The fort was built from 1861 to 1863.[34]
Fort Totten Drive Joseph Gilbert Totten[5]
Fort Totten Park Joseph Gilbert Totten[5]
Foxhall Playground Henry Foxall[8]
Francis Case Memorial Bridge Francis H. Case In 1965, the Roaches Run Bridge was named after Senator Case.[14]
Francis Scott Key Bridge Francis Scott Key[14][35] In 1921, citizens campaigned for the Georgetown Bridge to be renamed the Key Bridge.
Francis Scott Key Park Francis Scott Key The park was dedicated and donated to the National Park Service in 1993.[36]
Franklin Square Benjamin Franklin Around 1830, the land was purchased by the federal government and named after Benjamin Franklin.[37]
Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Frederick Douglass[5] In 1950, it was proposed the bridge be named after Frederick Douglass.[38]
George Washington Memorial Parkway George Washington[5]
German-American Friendship Garden The garden was built to commemorate 300 years of German immigration to America. It was dedicated in 1988.[39]
Glover-Archbold Park Charles C. Glover and Anne Archbald[40]
Grant Circle Ulysses S. Grant[41]
Greenleaf Gardens James Greenleaf[8]
Guy Mason Park Guy Mason The park was named after Mason, D.C. commissioner.[8]
Hains Point Peter Conover Hains[42]
Harrison Playground William Henry Harrison[8]
Harry Thomas Way Harry Thomas Sr.[43]
Henry Bacon Drive Henry Bacon[44]
Hillyer Place William L. Hillyer[45]
Independence Avenue B Street South was renamed to Independence Avenue following legislation in 1933 from Senator Arthur Capper. It was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1934. The name is in honor of the Declaration of Independence.[14]
Jefferson Field Thomas Jefferson[8]
Jenifer Street Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer[46]
John Hanson Highway (US-50) John Hanson[14]
John Philip Sousa Bridge John Philip Sousa[47] In 1938, legislation was proposed to name the unnamed bridge across the Anacostia River after Sousa.
Kevin J. Welsh Memorial Bridge Kevin J. Welsh 11th Street Bridge was renamed following the death of a D.C. police officer who drowned while saving a woman who jumped from the bridge.[48]
Lafayette Square Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette[49] The square was named after Lafayette in 1833. It is also called Lafayette Park.[50][51]
Lincoln Park Abraham Lincoln The park was named after Lincoln in 1867.[14][52]
Lucy Diggs Slowe Way Lucy Diggs Slowe In 2021, the 2400 block of 4th Street NW was named after Alpha Kappa Alpha founding member Slowe.[53]
Malcolm X Avenue Malcolm X[5] Named after Malcolm X in 1982.
Malcolm X Park/Meridian Hill Park Malcolm X The park is named after Malcolm X and follows the name of Meridian Hill, a reference to the longitude of the original District of Columbia milestone marker.[5][54]
Marion Park Francis Marion[55]
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Martin Luther King Jr.[5][56] Named in Martin Luther King Jr.'s honor in 1971.
Marvin Gaye Park Marvin Gaye[57]
McMillan Reservoir James McMillan[58]
McPherson Square James B. McPherson[59]
Muhlenberg Park Peter Muhlenberg[60]
Murdock Mill Road Murdock family Named after a Washington, D.C. family.[61]
Park Road Formerly named Whitney Avenue, after Asa Whitney[62]
Porter Court David Dixon Porter and David Porter[5]
Porter Street David Dixon Porter and David Porter[5] There is a Porter Street in Northeast and Northwest D.C.
Raoul Wallenberg Place Raoul Wallenberg[63]
Rochambeau Bridge Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau[64] In 1958, the 14th Street bridge between Virginia and Washington, D.C. was named for Rochambeau, a French hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Ron Brown Way Ron Brown A portion of 14th Street was renamed Ron Brown Way in 2011.[65]
Sakharov Plaza Andrei Sakharov[66]
Shepherd Parkway Alexander Robey Shepherd The National Park Service suggests the parkway is named after Shepherd.[67]
Shepherd Road Alexander Robey Shepherd[68] The road was previously named the Milk House Ford Road prior to getting named after Shepherd.
Stead Park Mary Stead[69]
Tenley Circle John Tenley The circle was named for settler Tenley on May 27, 1927.[70]
Tenleytown John TenleyCite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
Thea Bowman Drive Thea Bowman In 2022, a street on Catholic University's campus was named after Bowman, an educator and evangelist of Catholic University.[71]
Theodore Roosevelt Island Theodore Roosevelt The island was named Anacostine Island in 1682. Between 1792 and 1833, the Mason family owned the island and it was named Mason's Island. It was later renamed after President Roosevelt.[14]
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge Theodore Roosevelt U.S. Representative Joel Broyhill from Virginia introduced a bill in 1954 to name the E Street Bridge after Roosevelt.[14]
Thomas Circle George Henry Thomas[72]
Three Sisters Islands Named after three Native American sisters.[14]
Totten Mews Joseph Gilbert Totten[5]
Totten Place N.E. Joseph Gilbert Totten[5]
Truxton Circle Thomas Truxton The Truxton traffic circle was named after Truxton, but was removed in the summer of 1947.[73] It became a neighborhood later.[citation needed]
Upshur Park Abel P. Upshur[8]
Wesley Heights Circle The Wesley Heights Circle was created in 1927.[74]
Wheeler Road William H. Wheeler[6] Wheeler owned a large farm.
Whitehurst Freeway Herbert C. Whitehurst[75] The K Street Highway was named after Whitehurst in 1949. He was a highway director of Washington, D.C.[14]
Woodley Lane Woodley Mansion, home of Philip Barton Key[76]
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Woodrow Wilson[14] In 1956, Jones Point Bridge was named after President Wilson on the 100th anniversary of his birth.[77]

Former place names[edit]

Place Namesake Notes
Brewster Park Benjamin H. Brewster[78]
Marian Caywood Circle Marian Caywood In 1951, the Marian Caywood Circle was created.[74]
Peter's Square Peter family Named after the Peter family of Georgetown, the square where Grace Episcopal Church is currently located. The square was between the canal, Wisconsin Avenue and 31st Street.[79]

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Steinberg, Dan (December 3, 2007). "Today is Abe Pollin Day". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Romantic Story of Potomac River Weaves Through the Nation's Greatest Events". The Washington Herald. 1911-06-04. p. 35. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ a b "Anacostia Park - History & Culture". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-08-14. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  4. ^ Tarnapol, Paul (February 1, 1980). "Tracing Black History". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Ault, Alicia (2021-08-23). "The Stories of D.C.'s Streets". The Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  6. ^ a b "With the Rambler: In Odd Nooks and Crannies About the City". The Sunday Star. 1913-04-06. p. 56. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ^ "Circle Named for Barney". The Washington Post. 1911-08-24. p. 14. Retrieved 2022-10-02 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Weil, Julie Zauzmer (2020-09-08). "A guide to every person whose name could be removed from D.C. buildings or sites, from the famous to the forgotten". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  9. ^ Barnes, Sophia; Finch, Justin (2020-06-05). "DC Ceremonially Names Street to White House After Black Lives Matter; Emblazons Name on Road". NBC Washington. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  10. ^ "Plans for Funeral". Evening Star. 1908-01-27. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  11. ^ Nirappil, Fenit (2018-02-27). "Street signs outside Russian embassy in Washington now honor slain dissident". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  12. ^ "Norton Says Resolve of Sandy Hook's Team 26 Inspires Action for National Gun Safety Laws and Preservation of D.C.'s Local Gun Laws". norton.house.gov. 2018-05-08. Archived from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  13. ^ "Bryce Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "D.C. Freeway Revolt and the Coming of Metro, Part 1" (PDF). fhwa.dot.gov. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  15. ^ "Parkway history". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  16. ^ Joyner, Marieta Davis (2008). "Education of deaf African Americans in Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC during the 19th and 20th centuries, through the eyes of two heroes and a shero". umass.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  17. ^ "Dupont Circle". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  18. ^ "Farragut's Landsman's Stand". The Washington Post. 1917-02-25. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  19. ^ "Folger Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  20. ^ "Fort Bayard". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  21. ^ "Fort Bunker Hill". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  22. ^ "Fort Carroll". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  23. ^ "Fort Chaplin". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  24. ^ "Fort Davis". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  25. ^ "Fort DeRussy". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  26. ^ "Fort DuPont". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  27. ^ "Fort Foote". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  28. ^ "Fort Greble Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  29. ^ "Fort Mahan". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  30. ^ "Fort Reno". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  31. ^ "Fort Slocum". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  32. ^ "Fort Stanton". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  33. ^ "Fort Stevens". Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  34. ^ "Fort Totten". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  35. ^ "Congress Heights Citizens Campaign for Betterments". The Washington Times. 1921-06-14. p. 14. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  36. ^ "Francis Scott Key Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  37. ^ "His Fame Enduring". The Evening Star. 1911-01-16. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  38. ^ "Suggestions Pouring in for New Bridge". The Evening Star. 1950-01-19. p. 34. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  39. ^ "German American Friendship Garden". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  40. ^ "Street Name Changes to be Considered at Hearing October 26". The Evening Star. 1953-09-17. p. A-23. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  41. ^ "Ladies of the G.A.R." The National Tribune. 1893-02-09. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-10-02 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  42. ^ "Maj. Gen. P. C. Hains Dead at Age of 91". The Evening Star. 1921-11-08. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  43. ^ Craig, Tim (2012-05-09). "D.C. Politics". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  44. ^ "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Site Selection Environmental Assessment". National Park Service. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  45. ^ "Home in Chevy Chase for William L. Hillyer". The Evening Star. 1914-07-03. p. 11. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  46. ^ Kelly, John (2013-10-05). "When it comes to a pair of D.C. streets, the Js have it". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  47. ^ Suter, Jesse C. (1938-03-20). "Civic Problems, Civic Bodies". The Sunday Star. p. C-9. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  48. ^ Thomson, Robert (2013-09-06). "D.C. to hold festival on 11th Street Bridge local span". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  49. ^ "French Guests Here". The Evening Star. 1902-05-21. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  50. ^ "Senator Frank Hiscock..." The National Tribune. 1892-04-07. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  51. ^ "Lafayette Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  52. ^ "Lincoln Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  53. ^ "Howard University renames street after Alpha Kappa Alpha founding member Lucy Diggs Slowe". WUSA 9. 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  54. ^ "Meridian Hill Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  55. ^ "Marion Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  56. ^ Medley, Mylon (2012-03-13). "A new taste and voice emerge in Southeast". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  57. ^ "Deanwood Neighborhood in NE Honored as One City Location of the Month". entertainment.dc.gov. 2014-04-01. Archived from the original on 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  58. ^ "Ainsworth Asks for Bridge Funds". The Washington Times. 1907-08-22. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  59. ^ "Up in Wall Street..." The Evening Star. 1937-02-03. p. A-10. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  60. ^ "Muhlenberg Park". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  61. ^ "Guide to the Methodist Cemetary of Tenleytown Internment Information" (PDF). dchistory.org. 2015-08-25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  62. ^ Proctor, John Clagett (1950-06-25). "Georgia Avenue in Early Days". The Sunday Star. p. C-2. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  63. ^ "Inside the Holocaust Memorial Museum". The Washington Post. 1993-04-23. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  64. ^ "Bridge Dedicated as Rochambeau Memorial". The Evening Star. 1958-10-20. p. B-2. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  65. ^ Parker, Lonnae O'Neal. "Ron Brown and Michael A. Brown: Amid a father's legacy, a son's own path". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  66. ^ Kamen, Al (1999-07-04). "Sunday in The Loop". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  67. ^ "Shepherd Parkway - Postbellum". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  68. ^ Proctor, John Clagett (1949-11-13). "Tales of Old Brightwood". The Sunday Star. p. C-2. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  69. ^ "Historic Preservation Review Board Staff Report and Recommendation - 1625 P Street NW" (PDF). planning.dc.gov. 2018-02-22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  70. ^ "Friendship Hails Poles' Removal". Evening Star. 1935-08-04. p. D-6. Retrieved 2022-10-02 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  71. ^ Szczepanowski, Richard (2022-05-02). "Catholic University names street in honor of Sister Thea Bowman". Catholic Standard. Archived from the original on 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  72. ^ "Today Anniversary of Gen. Thomas' Death". The Washington Times. 1912-03-28. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-10-02 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  73. ^ "Truxton Circle Hazard to End This Summer". The Evening Star. 1947-03-24. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  74. ^ a b "Crittenton Home New Unit Formed". The Evening Star. 1951-04-05. p. B-6. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  75. ^ "Whitehurst Freeway Nearly Ready". The Sunday Star. 1949-09-04. p. 19. Retrieved 2022-09-26 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  76. ^ "The Rambler Writes of James Hoban, Architect, Who Lived on F Street". The Sunday Star. 1918-02-24. p. 37. Retrieved 2023-08-01 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  77. ^ "Why is the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Named after Woodrow Wilson?". fhwa.dot.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  78. ^ "Brewster Park". The Evening Critic. 1883-01-12. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  79. ^ Nannes, Caspar (1947-05-24). "Grace Episcopal Congregation Started in 1850". The Evening Star. p. A-8. Retrieved 2022-09-27 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon

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