The Naming of Norfolk's Streets


[Click on each image to see a larger view.]

Granby Street and City Hall Avenue, 1913
[IMAGE: Granby Street and City Hall Avenue, 1913]
Granby Street, 1959
[IMAGE: Granby Street and City Hall Avenue, 1956]

Granby Street was named for John Manners, Marquis of Granby (1721-1770) and hero of the Seven Years' War (1756-63) fought in Europe, North America, and India between France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and (after 1762) Spain, on one side, and Great Britain, Prussia, and Hanover on the other. Shown here, Granby Street as it appeared in 1913. Note the many types of vehicles on the street - automobiles, horses and buggies and, in the distance, an electric trolley.


Bute Street was named for John Stuart, 3d Earl of Bute and British Prime Minister under George III (1762-73). This view of the homes on Bute Street was taken c1902.

[IMAGE: Bute Street]


Dunmore Street was named for John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, our least popular royal governor, who gave the order for the burning of Norfolk on New Year's Day in 1776. It is said that the naming of Dunmore Street was not to honor the governor, but to celebrate the place in Norfolk where he last set foot. Shown here, the warehouse of the Pender Grocery Co. in 1940.

[IMAGE: Dunmore Street]


Charlotte Street was named to honor Queen Charlotte, consort of George III. Queen Street (now Brambleton) was also named for her. Here, the intersection of Charlotte and Bank Streets c1959, showing the Bank Street Baptist Church. This structure was built by the Presbyterians in 1802 and was known for many years as the Bell Church, as it was the first church in Norfolk known to have a bell.

[IMAGE: Charlotte Street at Bank Street, 1959]


York Street at Dunmere, 1951
[IMAGE: York Street at Dunmere.]
Duke Street, 1947.
[IMAGE: Duke Street, looking south.]

Duke and York Streets were named for the young Duke of York, son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Here, a narrow, tree-lined version of Duke Street in 1947 and a view of York Street in 1951, showing two interesting examples of architecture from the period.
York Street, 1939. An early home of the Norfolk Little Theatre.
[IMAGE: Norfolk Little Theatre.]
Duke Street, 1910. Kenilworth and Kirkwood Apartments.
[IMAGE: Kenilworth and Kirkwood Apartments.]


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