Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? History by Michael C. Hild - September 13, 2016September 14, 201646 I have an old Manchester map hanging on the wall of my office. The map is a cropped section of a larger Richmond map that is commonly referred to as the “Beers Map” or more accurately the F.W. Beers Map of 1876. My framed map is too small to make out the street names, but large enough for me to notice that some of the names looked odd. I found a larger version of the Beers map online and was able to zoom in. What I noticed is that Manchester’s numbered streets used to have additional names to complement the numbers: 1st or Reed St., 2nd or Ludlow St., 3rd or Wadsworth St., 4th or Summers St., 5th or Jackson St., 6th or Biddle St., 7th or Barney St., 8th or Allen St., 9th or Burroughs St., 10th or Blakley St., 11th or Warrington St., 12th or Lawrence St., 13th or Jones St., 14th or Harrison St., 15th or Jefferson St., 16th or Adams St., 17th or Clay St., 18th or Marshall St, 19th or Pocahontas St. I found another 1889 map, and it still showed the same dual street names for Manchester. This second map is referred to as the Baist Atlas of Richmond, VA (1889), and it is part of the VCU Libraries Digital Collection. I am guessing that the dual street names were dropped since the numbered system was easier to navigate. If there was a different reason, I haven’t been able to find it. Does anyone know for sure why the change was made and when it occurred? Perhaps the switch was made in 1910 when Manchester consolidated with the City of Richmond?
RT @DogtownDish: Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? #rva #manchesterrva https://t.co/k9kwXZp12I Reply
RT @DogtownDish: Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? #rva #manchesterrva https://t.co/k9kwXZp12I Reply
RT @DogtownDish: Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? #rva #manchesterrva https://t.co/k9kwXZp12I Reply
RT @DogtownDish: Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? #rva #manchesterrva https://t.co/k9kwXZp12I Reply
Names(north/south) crossing numbers(east/west) are much easier to remember. Numbers especially target a specific area of a city. Reply
If only there was a column in the largest Richmond newspaper where people answered questions like this… Reply
Maybe The Valentine would know–post to their wall. Or to the Library of Virginia –FB Hive Mind, engage! Reply
My Father told me years ago that the City limits were pretty easy to remember. 5000 block to the North, 5000 block to the West, 5000 block to the East, and 5000 block to the South Reply
Taylor Moore, here is a link to your map, so folks can follow along: https://www.facebook.com/ETMooreMFG/photos/a.134820034867.104680.50949004867/10154522437069868/?type=3&theater Reply
Manchester created a waterworks in the 1840s, to get clean water from the river (presumably from upriver of the industrial sections). The reservoir was created around 1843. I wonder if it was for drinking water or fire-fighting? There was a constant worry about clean drinking water – wells were polluted by privies occasionally, or even by graveyards, at least so people feared. There were drinking fountains from springs in Manchester. All gone now, I suppose. Reply
Did you know the named streets such as Porter, Bainbridge, Semmes and such were War of 1812 Navy officers that served on the Great lakes. Boy do I hope this statement is right. Reply
I couldn’t find anything in Weisiger about it. BTW, his book includes a nice reproduction of the Beers 1876 map. Reply
What a fascinating topic! We couldn’t find the answers off-hand, but have a few ideas of places to check. If you want to contact Library Reference to investigate you can email us here (http://www.lva.virginia.gov/about/contact.asp). You’re of course welcome to come in and view the map collection any time (Mon-Sat, 9-5) as well–love this Beers map! Reply
Because we’re too curious for our own good…a reference librarian found an article in the Sunday, January 16, 1916 Richmond Times-Dispatch (page 7) that discusses the problems the city was having with duplication of street names and that Administrative Board Commissioner Beck was going to confer with the Post Master to make changes. The article also mentioned changing house numbers. Interesting! Reply
RT @DogtownDish: Why Were the Manchester Street Names Changed? #rva #manchesterrva https://t.co/k9kwXZp12I Reply
