Origin Street Names in Southwest Mpls.

  • Stevens Ave.   Named after Col. John H. Stevens, an early pioneer in the city, who built the first permanent dwelling in Minneapolis in 1850.
  • Nicollet Ave.   Named after Joseph N. Nicollet, a geographer and explorer, whose maps of the area now Minnesota and the eastern part of North and South Dakota were published in 1843.
  • Van Nest Ave.   Named after Hiram Van Nest, one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of St. Anthony Falls, the birthplace of Minneapolis. He invested in real-estate almost as soon as Minneapolis was open to settlement.
  • Blaisdell Ave.   Named after Robert Blaisdell Sr. and his 3 sons, who were pioneers here and lumbermen on the upper Mississippi River.
  • Pillsbury Ave.   Named after Gov. John Pillsbury, Governor in 1875. He served for 3 two year terms.
  • Pleasant Ave.   The name says it all.
  • Grand Ave.   From the French, meaning GREAT, or NOBLE.
  • Harriet Ave.   Named after the wife of Col. Leavenworth, whose madin name was Harriet Lovejoy. Col. Leavenworth was the first commandant of a temporary fort known as Ft. St. Anthony.
  • Garfield Ave.   Named after James Garfield, the Twentieth President of the U.S. he was assassinated in 1881.
  • Lyndale Ave.   Named after the 1400 acre Lyndale farm, owned by William S. Kink which bordered Lk. Harriet and Lk. Calhoun. The name for the farm was in honor of Mr. King’s father Rev. Lyndon King.
  • Aldrich Ave.   Named after Thomas B Aldrich, poet and editor 1836-1907, and also Cyrus Aldrich, who came to Minnesota in 1855, and was active in real estate and politics and was postmaster of Minneapolis from 1887 to 1871.
  • Bryant Ave.   Named after William Cullen Bryant a poet and editor.
  • Colfax Ave.   Named after Schuyler Colfax, vice president to President U.S. Grant in 1869.
  • Dupont Ave.   Named after Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont, naval commander in the Mexican and Civil Wars, and rear Admiral in 1863.
  • Emerson Ave.   Named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essayist and Poet.
  • Fremont Ave.   Named after John C. Fremont, author of The Pathfinder military leader in the Civil War and famous explorer of the western U.S.
  • Girard Ave.   Named after Stephen Girard founder of Girard College, merchant and philanthropist.
  • Humboldt Ave.   Named after Friedrich Alexander Humboldt German naturalist, who made a famous voyage to South America and Cuba in 1799.
  • Irving Ave.   Named after Washington Irving author 1783-1859.
  • James Ave.   Named after George P.R. James, English novelist and historical writer.
  • Knox Ave.   Named after Henry Knox artillery general in the Revolutionary War, later Secretary of War.
  • Logan Ave.   Named after John A. Logan general and statesman. A major General at Vicksburg joined with Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea. Nominated for vice president under James G. Blaine.
  • Morgan Ave.   Named after George N. Morgan, enlisted in 1st Minnesota Regiment. 1825-1866
  • Newton Ave.   Named after Sir Isaac Newton British scientist 1642-1727.
  • Oliver Ave.   Named after Deacon Oliver a pioneer who came to Minneapolis from Missouri. Oliver Presbyterian Church and Macalester College received generous help from his estate.
  • Penn Ave.   Named after William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
  • Queen Ave.   Named to fill in for an avenue beginning with Q.
  • Russell Ave.   Named after Roswell P. Russell came to Ft. Snelling in 1839, opened the first store in St. Anthony.
  • Sheridan Ave.   Named after William T. Sheridan Union general in the Civil War.
  • Thomas Ave.   Named after George H. Thomas Union general in the Civil War.
  • Upton Ave.   Named after Emery Upton general in Civil War, Commandant of Cadets at West Point.
  • Vincent Ave.   Named after Thomas M. Vincent, graduate at West Point, 1853, Assistant Adjutant General of the U.S. throughout Civil War.
  • Washburn Ave.   Named after Gov. Cadwalder C. Washburn, who served in the Federal Army. He was governor of Wisconsin 1872-1873. He erected Washburn A flour mill in 1878; also for his brother W.D. Washburn.
  • Xerxes Ave.   Named after a Persian king.
  • York Ave.   Named after a County in England.
  • Zenith Ave.   The highest point.
  • Abbott Ave.   Named after Seth Abbott who in 1883 platted an addition of the city , and whos daughter Emma was a famous singer.
  • Beard Ave.   Named for Henry Beach Beard who donated to the city the greater part of Lk Harriet Blvd.
  • Chowen Ave.   Named for George W. Chowen who was county register of deeds, and later clerk of District Court.