List of Chicago placename etymologies

Source of the place names in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois.

Place NameSource
Adams StreetJohn Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States
Addison StreetThomas Addison, English doctor, discoverer of Addison's disease[1]
Altgeld GardensJohn Peter Altgeld (1847-1902), Governor of Illinois from 1893-1897.
AndersonvilleNamed for the Andersonville School, which in turn was named for Reverend Paul Andersen Norland[2]
Archer AvenueCol. William Archer, the first commissioner of the Illinois and Michigan Canal
Archer HeightsNamed for Archer Avenue (see above)
Armitage AvenueThomas Armitage, founder of the American Bible Union[3]
Artesian AvenueA productive artesian well on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Western Avenue
AshburnThe community served as a dumping ground in the 1800s and turn of the last century for ashes collected from Chicagoans' fireplaces and coal-fired furnaces.[4]
Ashland AvenueThe Ashland estate of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay
AustinBusinessman and real estate speculator Henry W. Austin.[5]
Avalon ParkNamed for the Avalon Park Community Church, formerly called Pennytown after a shopkeeper.[5]
Back of the YardsNamed for its location near the Union Stock Yards.[5]
Beach AvenueReal estate developer E. A. Beach
Belmont AvenueBattle of Belmont
Blue Island AvenueLed to Blue Island, a ridge of land that appeared to be an island to pioneers
BowmanvilleEarly settler Jessie Bowman sold lots that he did not own, then fled
BridgeportClaimed to be for a bridge over the Illinois and Michigan Canal, although there is no evidence that the bridge ever existed.[6]
Brighton ParkEither for the cattle market in Brighton, Massachusetts, or for Brighton Racecourse in England
BroadwayNamed for the New York City Broadway, formerly known as Evanston Avenue.[7]
Bubbly CreekThe creek derives its name from the gases bubbling out of the riverbed from the decomposition of blood and entrails dumped into the river in the early 20th century by the local meatpacking businesses surrounding the Union Stock Yards.
BucktownResidents kept goats in their yards
BurnsideGeneral Ambrose Burnside
Calhoun PlaceNot, as is commonly believed, for U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun, but rather John Calhoun, who published Chicago's first newspaper, the Chicago Democrat.[8]
Calumet RiverCalumet is a Norman-French, colonial-era word often used by colonists for a Native American ceremonial pipe
CanaryvilleRefers to the sparrows who fed in the stockyards and railroad cars in the late 19th century. The name may also refer to youth gangs in the neighborhood, who were known as "wild canaries".[9]
Central Park AvenueRefers to the original name of Garfield Park.
Cermak RoadSlain Chicago mayor Anton Cermak (formerly 22nd Street)
Chicago RiverA French rendering of the Miami-Illinois name shikaakwa, meaning wild leek.[10][11][12]
Cicero AvenueRoman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero[13]
Clark StreetGeorge Rogers Clark
Clinton StreetDeWitt Clinton
Clybourn AvenueArchibald Clybourn, the first police constable of Chicago
Columbus DriveChristopher Columbus[14]
Constance AvenueKonstanz, Germany
Cook CountyThe county in which Chicago is situated was named after Daniel Pope Cook, who served as the second U.S. Representative from Illinois and the first Attorney General of the State of Illinois
Cottage Grove AvenueA small cottage in a charming grove.[15]
Damen AvenueFather Arnold Damen, founder of St. Ignatius College Preparatory School
Dearborn Park and Dearborn Streetnamed for Fort Dearborn which was built on the present day site of Chicago, which in turn was named for General Henry Dearborn, American Revolutionary War veteran and Secretary of War under Thomas Jefferson.
DeKoven StreetJohn DeKoven (founder of Northern Trust)
Deming PlaceFrederick Deming, a subdivider in 1860 [16]
Devon AvenueNamed by developer John Lewis Cochran after Devon station on the Main Line north of Philadelphia.[17]
Diversey ParkwayBeer brewer and alderman Michael Diversey [16]
Douglass ParkAnna and Frederick Douglass[18]
DunningAndrew Dunning, a real estate speculator[19]
DuSable ParkJean Baptiste Point du Sable, first non-native resident of Chicago.[20]
EdgebrookRefers to the edge of the North Branch of the Chicago River[5]
EdgewaterRefers to the edge of Lake Michigan[5]
Elston AvenueAlderman, soap manufacturer and banker Daniel Elston.[21]
EnglewoodEnglewood, New Jersey
Euclid AvenueEuclid, Greek mathematician
Fairbanks CourtNathaniel Kellogg Fairbank, Chicago industrialist
Fillmore StreetMillard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States
Foster AvenueDoctor John H. Foster (1796-1874), member of the Chicago Board of Education.
Fuller ParkMelville Fuller, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Fullerton AvenueAlexander N. Fullerton (1804-1880), lawyer and lumber magnate, who arrived in Chicago in 1833[22]
Fulton StreetRobert Fulton
Franklin StreetBenjamin Franklin
Garfield BoulevardSee below
Garfield ParkThe centerpiece of a three park and interlinking boulevard system, the 185-acre (0.75 km2) park (formerly Central Park) was renamed to honor twentieth President of the United States James A. Garfield after his assassination in 1881. Garfield Boulevard and the Garfield Park Conservatory are also named for him.
George StreetSettler Sam George sighted the last bear in Chicago at the corner of Adams and LaSalle Streets in 1834. The bear was promptly killed by another settler, John Sweeney.
Gladys AvenueGladys Gunderson, a member of the Norwegian-American family that formed a successful 19th-century Chicago real estate firm, S. T. Gunderson & Sons. Gladys Park is also named for her. Another city street, Langley Avenue, and city park is named for another relative, Esther Gunderson Langley.[23]
Grace Street Named after the Lutheran Chicago Theological Seminary [24](1890-1908) located at Clark/Addison to Grace/Sheffield. It is located at 3800 north and just north of Wrigley Field. The street is named after a core principal of the Lutheran Reformation and not after Mark Grace (Cubs player 1988-2000).
Grand AvenueNamed for a statement by Thomas J. V. Owen, the first Town President of Chicago, who said "Chicago is a grand place to live."[25]
Grant ParkUlysses S. Grant, eighteenth President of the United States. Originally named Lake Park, it was renamed for Grant in 1901.
Greenview AvenueGreenview, Illinois [16]
Halsted StreetWilliam Ogden named it for William and Caleb Halsted, brothers from New York who developed parts of the Loop
Harrison StreetWilliam Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States
HegewischAdolph Hegewisch, who laid out the town of Hegewisch which is now part of the 10th Ward of Chicago
Hirsch StreetAlso Hirsch High School; rabbinical scholar Emil Gustav Hirsch [26]
Honore StreetFor Henry Honoré, developer and father of Bertha Palmer
Howard StreetHoward Uhr, who donated the Howard Street right-of-way to Chicago
Hoyne AvenueNamed after Thomas Hoyne, who was elected to be mayor of Chicago, but was never allowed to take office
Hubbard StreetGurdon Saltonstall Hubbard, who arrived in Chicago in 1818.[27]
Humboldt ParkThe park and a boulevard are named for Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist and explorer
Hyde ParkNamed by developer Paul Cornell to evoke the wealth of both Hyde Park, New York and Hyde Park, London.[28]
Ida B. Wells DriveNamed after civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. Formerly called, Congress Parkway
Irving Park RoadWashington Irving [16]
Jackson BoulevardAndrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States
Jackson ParkAndrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States
Jarvis Avenue & Jarvis SquareNamed for R. J. Jarvis.[29]
Jefferson StreetThomas Jefferson, third President of the United States
Jeffery BoulevardEdward T. Jeffery, Chief Engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad[30]
Keating AvenueWilliam H. Keating [31]
Kedzie AvenueJohn H. Kedzie (1815-1903), an attorney who developed the North and West Sides of Chicago and parts of Evanston. He helped establish the Republican Party in Illinois.[32]
Kewanee AvenueA lek for Prairie chickens called "Kewanee" in the Winnebago language was located there
Kimball AvenueWalter Kimbell, landowner and subdivider; City Council changed the spelling [16]
Kimbark AvenueSeneca Kimbark, member of the first Board of South Park Commissioners [16]
King DriveMartin Luther King Jr.; formerly South Park Drive, one the first streets in the nation to be named for King after his assassination, but not the first. The city council unanimously approved the proposal on July 29, 1968, about three months after the first city to rename a street for Dr. King. [33]
Kinzie StreetJohn Kinzie, who settled near the river in 1804.
Kosciuszko ParkTadeusz Kościuszko, Polish-Lithuanian soldier who fought in the American Revolution.[34]
Lake Shore DriveA highway running parallel with and alongside the shoreline of Lake Michigan, which connects many of the city's lakefront parks. The downtown portion opened as Leif Ericson Drive in 1937 and was also called Field Boulevard but in 1946 was renamed Lake Shore Drive.
Lake StreetNamed for Lake Michigan[35]
LaSalle StreetSieur de La Salle, an early explorer of Illinois
Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln ParkAbraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States. This is one of the few diagonal streets in Chicago. Prior to Lincoln's assassination the street was known as Little Fort Road as it led to the town of Little Fort, now Waukegan, Illinois
Lincoln ParkAbraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States. Originally Cemetery Park, then Lake Park, it was renamed for Lincoln following his assassination in 1865.
Logan SquareGen. John A. Logan
Loomis BoulevardHoratio G. Loomis, one of the organizers of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1848
Madison StreetJames Madison, fourth President of the United States
Malden Street Fort Malden, a British fort known as the main entry point for slaves fleeing to freedom in Canada via the Underground Railroad. Now a part of Amherstberg, Ontario, the fort was originally named the town of Maldon.[36][37]
Maxwell StreetDr. Philip Maxwell, one of Chicago's first surgeons
Medill Avenue Named after Joseph Medill, owner of the Chicago Tribune.
McClurg CourtA. C. McClurg, Chicago publisher
McKinley ParkWilliam McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States
Michigan AvenueNamed for Lake Michigan[38]
Midway AirportBattle of Midway
Midway PlaisanceThe central path (Middle Way) connecting Washington Park to Jackson Park, built for the World's Columbian Exposition. Plaisance is from the French for Pleasant. The name "midway" has been adopted for the portions of amusement parks where rides and games are set up.[38]
Milwaukee AvenueAlgonquin word for "the Land."[39]
Monroe StreetJames Monroe, fifth President of the United States
Normal AvenueFor the Chicago Normal School (now Chicago State University)
North AvenueWas the northern boundary of the city when the street was named.[40]
Oak StreetNamed for the oak tree.[41]
Ogden AvenueWilliam Butler Ogden, first mayor of Chicago
O'Hare AirportEdward "Butch" O'Hare, World War II flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient
Ohio StreetNamed for the state of Ohio, which means "beautiful river."[42]
Peoria StreetPeoria, Illinois, the oldest European settlement in Illinois.
Pershing RoadGeneral John J. Pershing (formerly 39th Street)
PilsenPlzeň, a city in the Czech Republic
Ping Tom Memorial ParkPing Tom, Chicago Chinatown businessman and civic leader.[43]
Polk StreetJames K. Polk, eleventh President of the United States
Prairie AvenueNamed for the Illinois prairies.[44]
Pulaski RoadCasimir Pulaski
Pullman neighborhoodPullman Palace Car Company
Quincy StreetJohn Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States
Randolph Streetnamed for Randolph County, Illinois as was part of the original plot of Chicago.
Ridge Boulevard/AvenueRuns along a ridge formed by Lake Michigan
Rogers ParkPioneer settler Philip Rogers
Roosevelt RoadPresident Theodore Roosevelt (formerly 12th Street)
Rush StreetNamed for Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Rush Street dates back to the 1830s incorporation of Chicago.
St. Louis AvenueThe street and St. Louis Park are named after Louis IX of France
St. Clair StreetNamed after Revolutionary War General Arthur St. Clair and Governor of the Northwest Territory
Sauganash, and Caldwell AvenuesHalf-Potawatomi Chief Sauganash, also known as Billy Caldwell
Sedgwick StreetJohn Sedgwick, Civil War general
Seminary Avenue Possibly named after the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary[24] located at Clark/Addison to Grace/Sheffield (1890-1908).
Sheffield AvenueSubdivider Joseph Sheffield
Sheridan RoadPhilip Henry Sheridan, Civil War general
Sibley BoulevardKnown as 147th Street (Sibley Street in Hammond, Indiana only)
Southport AvenueLed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, which was formerly named Southport
State StreetOriginally State Road, its intersection with Madison Street marks the base point for Chicago's address system. North of the Chicago River, this was formerly called Wolcott.
StreetervilleGeorge "Cap" Streeter
Stony Island AvenueLeads to Stony Island, a ridge of land that appeared to be an island to pioneers
Taylor StreetZachary Taylor, twelfth President of the United States
Throop StreetAmos G. Throop, a Chicago lumberman [16]
Torrence AvenueNamed for Civil War General Joseph T. Torrence. He led the Chicago militia during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877.[45]
Touhy AvenueNamed for local subdivider Patrick L. Touhy who was the son in law of Philip Rogers. [16]
Van Buren StreetMartin Van Buren, eighth President of the United States
Vincennes AvenueFort Vincennes, Indiana
Wabash AvenueWabash Railroad
Wacker DriveCharles H. Wacker, chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission, who pushed the idea of a double decked roadway along the Chicago River.
Warren BoulevardGeneral Joseph Warren, American Revolutionary war patriot and doctor.
Washington ParkGeorge Washington, first President of the United States, formerly known as Western Division of South Park, also Park No. 21
Washington StreetGeorge Washington, first President of the United States
Wentworth AvenueLong John Wentworth, mayor
Wells StreetWilliam Wells, soldier
Western AvenueWas the western boundary of the city when the street was named.[46]
Whipple StreetHenry Benjamin Whipple (1822-1901), Episcopal bishop
Wicker ParkNamed for Charles G. Wicker and Joel H. Wicker.[5]
Wilson AveJohn P. Wilson, lawyer and donator to Children's Memorial Hospital [16]
Wolcott AvenueDr. Alexander Wolcott, Jr. (1790-1830), first physician in Chicago, trader, served as Chicago's US Indian Agent from the late 1810s through the late 1820s. Until 1939, the road was Lincoln Street.
Wrightwood AvenueEdward Wright, a subdivider and an attorney [16]
WrigleyvilleNamed for Wrigley Field, in turn named for William Wrigley, Jr..[5]

References

  1. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 1. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  2. Andersonville Historic District Exhibit, Edgewater Historical Society, Spring, 2011.
  3. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 5. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  4. "Ashburn thriving on a strong sense of community," Chicago Tribune, 11-19-2010.
  5. Nick Greene, "How Chicago's Neighborhoods Got Their Names," Mental Floss
  6. "Bridgeport Before the Canal," UIC.
  7. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 14. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  8. http://www.earlychicago.com/encyclopedia.php?letter=c
  9. Canaryville, Encyclopedia of Chicago
  10. Swenson, John F. "Chicagoua/Chicago: The Origin, Meaning, and Etymology of a Place Name." Illinois Historical Journal 84.4 (Winter 1991): 235–248
  11. McCafferty, Michael. Disc: "Chicago" Etymology. LINGUIST list posting, December 21, 2001
  12. McCafferty, Michael. A Fresh Look at the Place Name Chicago Archived 2007-12-15 at the Wayback Machine. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 95.2 (Summer 2003)
  13. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 23. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  14. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 25. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  15. http://www.gapersblock.com/airbags/archives/charles_cleaver_and_the_cottage_in_the_grove/
  16. Martin, William. "Chicago Streets" (PDF).
  17. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Loyola University Press. p. 32. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  18. Greene, Morgan (2020-11-19). "After Years of Student Activism, Park District Officially Makes Name Change to Douglass Park". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  19. Dunning, Encyclopedia of Chicago
  20. Dusable Park, Chicago Park District.
  21. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. pp. 37–8. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  22. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  23. "ELCA Cubs Fans". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  24. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 48. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  25. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 57. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  26. "Hyde Park Community Collection". Chicago Public Library. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  27. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 61. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  28. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 62. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  29. Alderman Seeks Landmark Status for Kosciuszko Park, Chicago History Museum.
  30. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 64. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  31. "Vote to Name City Street in Honor of King", Chicago Tribune, July 30, 1968, p. 2-8
  32. Alderman Seeks Landmark Status for Kosciuszko Park Archived 2013-06-19 at the Wayback Machine, DNAInfo Chicago.
  33. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  34. Martin, William (1948). "Chicago Streets" (PDF). Chicago History Museum Research Center. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  35. Botsford, David Patterson (1985). "Amherstburg, Then and Now 1796-1946". In Gignac, Eleanor; Beare, Linda; Botsford, Effie (eds.). At The End of The Trail (PDF). Illustrations by Yvonne Sinasac. Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Windsor Print & Litho Ltd. p. 14.
  36. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 87. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  37. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 88. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  38. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 94. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  39. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 95. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  40. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 97. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  41. About Ping Tom Archived 2010-10-13 at the Wayback Machine, Ping Tom Park
  42. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 105. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  43. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. pp. 124–5. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
  44. Hayner, Don; McNamee, Tom (1988). Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 134. ISBN 0-8294-0597-6.
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