I very much appreciate the new street sign at the corner of the street that bisects Oakland Street. The old one was stolen by vandals (who probably shared the same name as the sign so how hard can they be to track down...but anyway) but I couldn't help but notice the name on the sign is misspelled.
Or is it?
The new signs identifies the east-west passage as Munroe Street. The sign didn't really catch my eye until I went walking down the street to the next two cross streets, Tyng and Broad. At each intersection the street sign declares my path to be Monroe Street.
What gives?
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| Our Fifth President James Monroe |
I always assumed the correct name was Monroe Street, in honor of the fifth president, James Monroe. That seemed consistent with Washington Street, Jefferson Street, Adams Street and Madison Street.
But the city street list has no Monroe Street, only a Munroe.
I was prepared to accept that as the gospel truth. But then I found an online version of the North End Papers (1618-1880) identifying the street at Monroe Street. The street was opened in 1848, so I'm guessing it's the namesake of James Monroe.
Therefore, the sign at the corner of Oakland and Mo/unroe is incorrect as is the city street list.
Any thoughts?
8 comments:
its monroe, the dpw can't spell. there is a similar mistake on moulton street.
The correct name is Munroe.
Ed Cameron
Ed,
I didn't count this morning but I'd say half the signs on Muonroe Street disagree with you.
And one of the signs confirming your spelling actually had the top of the "O" cut off to make it look like a "U."
BTW, Currier has several references of Monroe and two mentions of Munroe. But in the index the Munroes are listed as Monroe.
Munroe does not appear in the index.
MONROE STREET.
From Currier:
A way called New lane, extending from Kent street to Carter street, was accepted April 6, 1840, and named Monroe street, and the same day a way previously laid out by the selectmen from Carter street to Tyng street was accepted.''
September 11, 1848, a way from Tyng street to North, now Oakland, street was accepted and made a part of Monroe street, which now extends from Kent street to Oakland street.5
BTW, regarding the comment by anon 9:34 am. I'm not blaming the DPW (or anyone really.) The city street list does say Munroe.
(PLEASE NO GIANT SNOWBANKS THIS WINTER! It wasn't me!)
always take the word of someone that's lived here their whole life over someone who hasn't...
Why would I trust you? You yokels messed up the street list in the first place.
Don't worry, this carpetbagger's got your back.
Well, rather than trust the City, I went to salemdeeds.com and plugged in both spellings. Always trust a real estate attorney....it's Munroe Street. Although there are three recent deeds that have it Monroe...oops, someone's got some 'splaining to do.
Perhaps this is a sneaky protest post 1848 by supporters of the man Pres. Monroe trashed-Rufus King in 1816.
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