Projects

Ever wonder how some of the highways and biways of our county got their name?  So have I, so I've started a listing of roadways in the county with brief descriptions of how they were named.  This effort, of course, is not exhaustive, and I'd always welcome additions.  Enjoy!!

Magnolia Avenue (Riverside) - Originally to be called Bloomingdale Avenue, the name was switched in 1876 by Mrs. E. E. Rudisill, wife of Henry Rudisill and sister of S. C. Evans. Although Magnolia trees were meant to be placed along the grand boulevard, their extreme cost and slight intolerance of the local climate ensured that they would only be planted at the corners where Magnolia intersected the President Streets.

Presidential Streets (Riverside) - As part of the subdivision of the lands of the Riverside Land and Irrigating Company, the streets crossing Magnolia, California and Indiana Avenues were named for the presidents, starting with Washington Street and ending at Grant (in present-day Home Gardens). Grant Street was the last, since the map was laid out in 1876 when he was President. Curiously enough, the precise order is not followed at the beginning - Madison and Adams are switched. Why this was is unknown, but we do know from Henry Rudisill that it was his wife, Mrs. E. E. Rudisill, a sister of Samuel C. Evans, who wanted the switch and requested it.²

Victoria Avenue (Riverside) - Named for Queen Victoria of England. Victoria Avenue is fitting, since it was to be the main thoroughfare in the Arlington Heights area of Riverside, which had a great deal of English investment.

The first Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival held in International (now Bogart) Park, October 1930.