Armitage Avenue

Formerly Centre Street, named for either Thomas Armitage, an American clergyman, or Edward Armitage, a Chicago alderman (1919-23).

Belden Avenue

Named for Belden Culver, prominent real estate investor, secretary of the Chicago Historical Society and member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

Bissell Street

Named for William Bissell, the first Republican Illinois Governor (1857-60).

Chalmers Place

Named for Thomas Chalmers, a Scottish Presbyterian who freed the Church from the state by forming the Free Church of Scotland in 1843.  Mrs. McCormick chose this name.

Clifton Avenue

Formerly Byford, Jay and Cynthia Streets, named for N. J. Clifton.

Clybourn Avenue

Named for Archibald Clybourn, ferryboat operator, Chicago’s first constable, a butcher and the builder of Chicago’s first stockyard.

Dayton Street

Formerly Blucher Street, named for William Dayton, the first Republican Vice-Presidential candidate who ran with John C. Fremont after whom Fremont Street is named.

Dickens Avenue

Formerly Garfield and Sophia Streets, named for the English writer Charles Dickens.

Fremont Street

Named for General John Charles Fremont (1813-1890) who was an American explorer, politician, and soldier.  He explored the frontier West and, in 1856, was the first presidential candidate of the Republican party.

Fullerton Avenue

Named for Alexander N Fullerton (1804-1900), lawyer, lumber merchant, real estate developer and member of the first Board of Health.

Halsted Street

Formerly named First Street, then Dyer Street after Charles Dyer, an abolitionist who helped thousands of slaves along the underground railroad and Egyptian Road because it winds its way downstate to “Little Egypt.”  Named for the brothers William and Caleg Halsted, real estate developers and bankers.

Janssen Street

Formerly High Street, named for Bernard Janssen, real estate investor and 17^th War Alderman (1877-79).

Kenmore Street

Formerly Osgood Street, named for the home of Colonel Fielding Lewis, brother-in-law to George Washington.

Lakewood Avenue

Formerly Herndon Street, named for the eastern town of Lakewood, New Jersey.

Magnolia Street

Formerly Lewis Street, named for the tugboat of Captain Gilson who saved thousands of lives in the Great Fire or named for the tree which was named for Pierre Magnol, French botanist.

Racine Avenue

Named for Jean Baptist Racine, the 17^th century French dramatist, or named for the city of Racine, Wisconsin.

Seminary Avenue

Formerly Drummond and Fabius Streets, named for the McCormick Theological Seminary which was located at Fullerton and Halsted from 1859 to 1975. 

Sheffield Avenue

Named for Joseph Sheffield who purchased and subdivided Sheffield.  He was a founder and charter director of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.

Southport Avenue

Named for either Southport, Wisconsin (now Kenosha) or Chicago’s position as “south port” on the coach line (for which Milwaukee was the “north port”).  Southport follows an old Indian trail between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Wayne Street

Formerly Ward Street, named for General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, who in 1795 signed the Treaty of Greenville which gave the area around the mouth of the Chicago River to the European settlers.

Webster Avenue

Named for Daniel Webster, American statesman and orator.  Part of which used to be called Asylum Street.