Street Name Changes in Baltimore

"Streets of a Different Name"

The next time you're in Charles Village, ask someone for directions to get to Oak Street. In Downtown, see if someone can lead you the way to German Street. Or if you're on the West Side, try to get some info on how to get to Cove Street. All of these streets are there, they just go by names far different than those used in earlier times. The following examples are compiled from street maps and other assorted references. Most are believed to have been in actual use at one time or another, while others may have only been laid out in planning stages, to later be officially named after actual construction. In any event, they lend a good bit of fun (and confusion) to the city!
There are more of these to be sure. If you know of one, be sure to EMAIL US!!!

WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS: WAS ONCE KNOWN AS: NOTES:

Small street near Fifth Regiment Armory once was part of a more major thorofare.

Short Hampden stretch of this thorofare started off a separate Hampden numbering system.

Now often referred to as "The Avenue," this street never did carry that suffix.

One of the more recent changes in street names, Arlington was reset as 43rd around the late 1940's.

Originally, the Alameda ended at Springfield Ave., until it was officially extended to Sherwood Avenue in the mid-1950's.

An early 20th Century map shows the street West of Schroeder as this.

Not much info behind this one, other than a map listing.

Interesting name seems to complement it's nearby COLUMBIA counterpart.

Odd old name seemed to conflict with both the Downtown street and the Northwest bound turnpike of that era.

Northernmost block of this street in Embla Park once carried this interesting name.

Little to explain why this Embla Park street name was changed about the 1950's.

Bit by bit, the Broening moniker crept up until devouring most of this street.

Pigtown's main intersecting street appears to have carried this moniker for a time.

Aptly named for the canaled stream running beneath it, there is little to justify it's name change, as it's does not divide anything.

Greenspring street once carried the name of its Pimico cousin.

This one may not be right, as horsecars carried the Druid Park Avenue name on them.

Having made an upgrade from a country lane to a crosstown thorofare, only the southernmost block retains the original name.

Appears to have lasted for at least a brief time before being renamed, perhaps in the late 1800's.

A rather well known "ghost" street, North Street became South Street after crossing Baltimore Street.

Brooklyn Street was once the base for the remaining numbers that exist today.

Highlandtown numbering system appears to have vanished in the early part of the 20th Century.

Oak Street lasted until 1940, when the Howard Street Bridge project linked it to it's new Downtown namesake.

Highlandtown short cut once was a part of it's own numbering set-up.

Originally given a touristy name when opened, it was only months later when the Boulevard was named after the slain Civil Rights Leader.

Original title served well at the time, as street marked northern boundary of city.

Perhaps the latest change is this one between Bellona Avenue and Greenspring Avenue. The last stretch to be officially changed was that between Charles St. & Bellona in about 1986.

Stretch between Merville Avenue and Park Heights carried the Ken Oak name until about 1960 or so.

Odd little court off of 4200 N. Charles Street changed names near 1980.

Yet another of the Highlandtown numbers, note how new names follow alphabetical order of the numbered predecessors.

Downtown stretch of this winding street may have originally been called this.

Brooklyn stretch of this street originally carried name over from South Baltimore designation.

East-West stretch is may have carried the name of this Bolton Hill thorofare.

Diagonal stretch of this Mt. Vernon street was named after nearby market.

Well known propoganda move dates to World War One.

At one time, the entire street carried the name of it's Easternmost block.

6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other, both names have the same general connotation.

One must admit, the new name is at least prettier sounding than the original!

1940 Street Map shows this odd name for the well-to-do Murray Hill road.

Only the stretch from Dogwood to Security Blvd. existed at the time it was called this.

Most often used in reference to the bridge spanning the falls above 29th Street.

EPILOGUE:

When the Highlandtown numbering system was eliminated with streets changed to names (in Alphabetical Order at that), it would appear that the Town Fathers ran out of creativity when it came to devising a name for the small street running parrallel to Eaton and Fagley Streets between Lombard and Claremont Streets. The result is this little ghost of the original numbering system, the only one so "named".

GOT ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE?!? CONTACT US!!!

WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS:	WAS ONCE KNOWN AS:	NOTES:
		Small street near Fifth Regiment Armory once was part of a more major thorofare.
		Short Hampden stretch of this thorofare started off a separate Hampden numbering system.
		Now often referred to as "The Avenue," this street never did carry that suffix.
		One of the more recent changes in street names, Arlington was reset as 43rd around the late 1940's.
		Originally, the Alameda ended at Springfield Ave., until it was officially extended to Sherwood Avenue in the mid-1950's.
		An early 20th Century map shows the street West of Schroeder as this.
		Not much info behind this one, other than a map listing.
		Interesting name seems to complement it's nearby COLUMBIA counterpart.
		Odd old name seemed to conflict with both the Downtown street and the Northwest bound turnpike of that era.
		Northernmost block of this street in Embla Park once carried this interesting name.
		Little to explain why this Embla Park street name was changed about the 1950's.
		Bit by bit, the Broening moniker crept up until devouring most of this street.
		Pigtown's main intersecting street appears to have carried this moniker for a time.
		Aptly named for the canaled stream running beneath it, there is little to justify it's name change, as it's does not divide anything.
		Greenspring street once carried the name of its Pimico cousin.
		This one may not be right, as horsecars carried the Druid Park Avenue name on them.
		Having made an upgrade from a country lane to a crosstown thorofare, only the southernmost block retains the original name.
		Appears to have lasted for at least a brief time before being renamed, perhaps in the late 1800's.
		A rather well known "ghost" street, North Street became South Street after crossing Baltimore Street.
		Brooklyn Street was once the base for the remaining numbers that exist today.
		Highlandtown numbering system appears to have vanished in the early part of the 20th Century.
		Oak Street lasted until 1940, when the Howard Street Bridge project linked it to it's new Downtown namesake.
		Highlandtown short cut once was a part of it's own numbering set-up.
		Originally given a touristy name when opened, it was only months later when the Boulevard was named after the slain Civil Rights Leader.
		Original title served well at the time, as street marked northern boundary of city.
		Perhaps the latest change is this one between Bellona Avenue and Greenspring Avenue. The last stretch to be officially changed was that between Charles St. & Bellona in about 1986.
		Stretch between Merville Avenue and Park Heights carried the Ken Oak name until about 1960 or so.
		Odd little court off of 4200 N. Charles Street changed names near 1980.
		Yet another of the Highlandtown numbers, note how new names follow alphabetical order of the numbered predecessors.
		Downtown stretch of this winding street may have originally been called this.
		Brooklyn stretch of this street originally carried name over from South Baltimore designation.
		East-West stretch is may have carried the name of this Bolton Hill thorofare.
		Diagonal stretch of this Mt. Vernon street was named after nearby market.
		Well known propoganda move dates to World War One.
		At one time, the entire street carried the name of it's Easternmost block.
		6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other, both names have the same general connotation.
		One must admit, the new name is at least prettier sounding than the original!
		1940 Street Map shows this odd name for the well-to-do Murray Hill road.
		Only the stretch from Dogwood to Security Blvd. existed at the time it was called this.
		Most often used in reference to the bridge spanning the falls above 29th Street.