How do streets get their names? In the early days of urban development in the United States, streets were typically named after landmarks (Canal or Market), topographic features (Hill or Water) or location (East or Upper). Major streets were often given names of power (State or King) or after heroes and leaders (Washington or Jefferson.) For example, when you drive out the 91 from Orange County, you see Washington, Lincoln, Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren, etc…
As Urban Sprawl started, many governments allowed Developers to name streets. Developers used all kind of naming methods, types of trees, Indian Tribes, colors, the list is endless. Some even tried to be creative. For instance, early Orange County Ranchers John and Margaret Rea, had two daughters, Kate and Ella. He couldn’t think of a name for his Walnut Ranch, but one night, he was calling his two young daughters in for dinner, “KATE – ELLA”, and the name just came to him. The name had a nice ring to it, so a school was named the same. Next, the street the school was on was named Katella.
Then there are street names that are mis-pronounced so much, that the incorrect pronunciation sticks. For instance, the street Edinger. Ludwig Edinger was born November 13, 1897, in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. He was a famous Medical Researcher and the founding director of the Frankfurt Neurological Institute. A “g” in German is a HARD “g” like in the words Gestapo, Gestalt, Geld (money) and Heilige (holy) (Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht translates to Silent Night, Holy Night). But most Orange Countians pronounce EDINGER like it rhymes with ‘ginger’ with a soft ‘g’ when it really rhymes with ‘finger’ and ‘ringer.’
So who was Tustin? Columbus Tustin was a Carriage Maker from Northern California who moved to Southern California in the early 1870’s. He and his partner, Nielson Stafford, bought 1,300 Acres for $1.50 per acre. They tried to sell homesite lots from this land, but were unsuccessful. So they tried to establish “Tustin City” and the idea never caught on. Then they tried to be the Southern Terminus for the Southern Pacific Railroad but lost to Santa Ana. Tustin died, broken hearted, in 1883. In his memory, later County Supervisors named the town after him, and we have Tustin today!
So what is the Most Common Street name in the United States? Some might guess Main Street, wrong. Some might guess First Street, wrong. Surprisingly, the most common street name in the US is SECOND STREET (1993 data). Next is THIRD STREET, then First, Fourth and Park. The longest street in the US is Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO and the longest highway is Interstate 20, running from Newport, OR to Boston, MA. For the most part, in the US, East-West Highways have even numbers, ie, 10,40,90 and North-South Highways are odd numbers, ie. 1, 5, 15, 25, etc… Local freeways try to follow the same numbering system but some local freeways, like the ever HATED 91 runs east/west AND north/south. But think of the 22, the 55, the 57, the 60, and see if they follow the same numbering system! Even the two highways that run along both sides of the Salton Sea are the 111 and the 89, running north and south.
Have fun on the short power trail! A few may have a FTF prize!