EARLY STREETS:

The plat map of 1808 lists the original north to south streets as Henry, Union, Sandusky, Franklin, Washington and Liberty streets. The east to west streets were North (Central), Winter, William, Abraham (later Hill St and finally University Ave.), Tamany (later Third St. and finally Park Ave.) and South streets.

Following is a list of some of the street name changes and the dates on which they became effective.

BERNARD AVE from RAILROAD ST CENTRAL AVE, EAST from BERKSHIRE ST CENTRAL AVE, WEST from NORTH ST CHANNING ST from JAMES and WALDO STs CHESHIRE ST from SOUTH FAIR ST COURT ST from LIBRARY COURT ELMWOOD DR from DENT ST FAIR AVE from HALF ST FOUNTAIN AVE, EAST from GRANT ST, EAST FOUNTAIN AVE, WEST from JACKSON ST, WEST HAYES ST from SOUTH ST KING AVE from LOUIS ST LAKE ST from DEPOT & EAST STs LIBERTY AVE from LIBERTY ST LIBERTY ST north of Pennsylvania Ave established LINCOLN AVE from BUMFORD ST LONDON RD from SOUTH ST LONDON RD from SOUTH ST MAPLE ST from SHORT HARRISON ST MOORE ST from NORTH FAIR ST NORTH ST from BERLIN ST PARK AVE from THIRD ST, east of Liberty St Third St. from Tamany St. earlier, date unknown PENNSYLVANIA AVE established POTTER ST from ERIE ST RAILROAD ST from BOMFORD ST ROWLAND AVE from UNIVERSITY AVE ROSS ST established UNIVERSITY AVE from HILL ST Hill St from Abraham St. earlier, date unknown

March 1923 April 9, 1884 April 9, 1884 February 1906 February 1906 August 1909 approx. 1950 August 1, 1887 August 4, 1884 August 4, 1884 February 1906 August 1909 August 13, 1888 December 9,1918 May 3, 1880 October 15,1867 October 15,1867 October 4, 1926 February 1906 February 1906 October 1918 February 1906 Prior to 1866 February 3,1879 August 13, 1888 May 8, 1853 1996 May 28, 1855 Prior to 1866

EARLY BRIDGES

In 1853, the City paid Mr. Owsten and Mr. Nelson $590 for building a culvert across Delaware Run on Sandusky Street.

A committee was appointed to contract for the trusselling of the bridge on William Street across the Olentangy River in order said bridge may be used ‑‑ providing expense does not exceed $30.

Also, the County Commissioners were to erect two bridges over Olentangy ‑‑ one on William and one on North Street. The corporation agreed to pay one half the cost of the bridge on North Street provided one‑half of such cost did not exceed $1500.

But, since the above mentioned "resolution was not acceded to by said commissioners, said resolution hereby rescinded and canceled."

In 1854, Mr.'s J. and E.B. Gray made a proposition to build an iron suspension foot bridge across the Olentangy on the north side of Winter Street by February 1, 1854. Resolved, council will purchase said bridge for a sum of $909. (Account ordered to be paid March 20, 1854.)

Also, the following ordinance passed:

Ordinance to protect the Suspension Foot Bridge across the Olentangy River on Winter Street.

That it shall be unlawful for any person to cross the suspension foot bridge in the Corporation, across the Olentangy River where Winter Street crosses the same in any other manner than upon his ordinary walk. And if any person shall run over said bridge, or shall in any unnecessary manner vibrate, or sway the said bridge, or in any manner willfully or maliciously injure the said bridge, or shall drive, lead, or ride over the said bridge any horse, mule, ox, cow, hog or sheep shall be guilty of an offense, and upon conviction thereof before any Court having jurisdiction thereof every such person shall forfeit and pay any sum not less than $1 nor more than $10 for each and every offense, and shall also pay any amount of damage thereby done to the said bridge.

In 1858, F.C. Welch was paid $15 for building a foot bridge on Union Street.

Also, council authorized "the erection of a foot bridge on east side of Franklin Street across Delaware Run, providing it can be done at an expense of $15."

In 1867, Council moved to construct a bridge on John Street.

In 1868, a motion was made and approved for construction of "full open wooden bridge with a foot path on one or both sides" across the Olentangy on Winter Street.

An application was made to the Council to take steps "to remove the toll gate south of the cemetery."

In 1885, A.K. Foster was given a contract to paint iron bridge on Winter Street, and to scrape off all posted bills, dirt, paint scales and etc., then apply in a "neat and workmanlike manner" two coats of paint. The contract was for $84.50.

In 1896, a motion was made to consider a new roof on William Street Bridge.

In 1899, the wooden bridge on William Street caught fire and was destroyed.

The picture at the right shows the remains of the "new bridge" after the 1913 flood.

EARLY STREET LIGHTS

In 1856, the city gave one Harvey Platt permission to install gas lines in the village for the purpose of conveying gas to village and the inhabitants for a period of ten years. Gas furnished to said Village at a price not exceeding $3 per 1000 feet and inhabitants price not exceeding $4 per 1000 cubic feet. Lamp posts and other apparatus for public lamps being furnished at the expense of the Village. This must not have worked out, because in 1860, William Stephenson of Mansfield, Ohio, was granted use of streets, alleys and etc., for the purpose of laying and maintaining pipes for the conveyance of gas in the city. This time council put a time limit on the project. It was to be completed by July 1, 1860.

Thus began one more of the policeman's various duties. It was the responsibility of the Marshal, Deputy Marshal, night watch and/or special police to take care of the public lamps. However, a few months later the Mayor authorized the employing of a man "to put out the public gas lamps for 104 per each night". The lamps were to be lit at first dark and extinguished at 12 o'clock each night.

In 1867, the police were again directed, and required, to light and put out the public lamps. The lamps between Sandusky Street and the Depot were not to be put out until 20 minutes after the 3:00 am train arrived.

In 1875, coal oil street lamps were introduced and lit nightly, the same as the gas lights. They were mounted on cedar post, dressed and well painted.

In 1878, shade trees ordered trimmed so not to interfere with gas or lamp lights or persons carrying umbrellas. If not trimmed in 10 days, Marshal ordered to do so.

Some of the coal oil was obtained from V.J. Hill. The remaining coal oil and gas was from the Delaware Gas and Coal Oil Co. In 1880 the company had the responsibility of extinguishing and keeping the gas lights in repair, however, the lighting and tending of coal oil lamps was still under the care of the Marshal. At this time there were 162 gas lamps and 131 coal oil lamps in the city. The cost of lighting the lamps for a year was $1833.84 for the gas lights and $1264.15 for the coal oil lamps.

The following are short excerpts taken from council records relating to our streets, street lights and bridges which I found to be interesting. Perhaps you can find something relating to your neighborhood.

1862 February 3: Owners of lots and land abutting on the west side of Liberty Street were required to lay a sidewalk of plank or good hard burnt brick, and to be completed by the first day of April next. And in default thereof the Marshal is hereby directed to lay said sidewalks. (From this point on ‑‑ ordinances all read the same. The Marshal was ordered to perform work only if property owner failed to do so.)

1863 March 30: Pavement on Liberty Street between William and North Streets to be laid with good hard burnt brick, embedded in sand, laid herringbone style ‑‑ not less than eight feet wide.

In 1873, C.R. Camp put up boards with street names, he also numbered houses and was to later publish a Directory of the City. The 279 boards (street signs) installed were: Sandusky 38, Catherine 2, High 6, William 48, Elizabeth 4, Ross 4, Franklin 20, Louis 2, South 7, Washington 18, Campbell 6, Union 8, Liberty 26, Euclid 4, Henry 8, Blymer 2, Grant 2, Estell 4, Little 4, Depot 14, Henry 4, Wilder 4, Grace 4, Lewis 2, Frank 2, Richardson 2, Channing 2, Wade 2, Berkshire 16, Half 8, and James 6.

1874 May 13: Sandusky Street between North Street and Delaware Run be sprinkled with water in accordance with ordinance. Shall be done by corporation team and teamster. Water shall be procured at the Woolen Mills. Occupants of buildings to pay $24 per week ‑‑ collected by the Marshal.

1879 February 3: Pennsylvania Avenue dedicated to city by Christopher Potter.

1880 May 3: Deed to city from Christopher Potter and wife for all of Liberty Street north of Pennsylvania Avenue was accepted.

1881 October 20: Citizens requested a street crossing on Winter Street near Post Office across to the American House.

1883 July 2: Resolved no street be less than 60 ft. wide and no alley less than one rod wide.

1884 January 7: Resolved by council that the street running east and west across college grounds between Sandusky and Henry, the same being a continuation of Park Avenue, be reopened at once.

1884 February 4: The discussion concerning the opening of Elsworth Street, through college grounds, was discussed at length. Resolved if the city give up their claim to Elsworth Street, the university would dedicate to the city ‑‑ a strip of land for street purpose, to extend Wilmer Street on a curve with the railroad to intersect with Henry Street.

1884 April 9: E. Berkshire Street was renamed Central Avenue and W. North Street to Central Avenue so the continuous street from east to west corporation line be called one name.

1884 August 4: Changed East Grant and West Jackson Streets to Fountain Avenue as they were one continuous street from Euclid to Olentangy River.

1887 August 1: Renamed Half Street to Fair Avenue.

1887 October 3: An ordinance referred to South Street as "Gable Street" shown in brackets indicating a possible name change.

1888 August 13: Depot and East Streets were changed to Lake Street and Erie Street to Potter Street.

1901 April 8: South Henry from the railroad to the river was made a "speedway".

1906 February: South Fair Street was changed to Cheshire Street. North Fair Street was changed to Moore Street.

Both James Street and Waldo Street were changed to Channing Street.

South Street changed to Hayes Street.

Short Harrison Street to Maple Street.

Third Street changed to Park Avenue east of Liberty extended.

1906 September 10: Speed limit ‑‑ horses, mares, other animals or automobiles shall not exceed 8 MPH.

1909 August: Louis Street was renamed King Avenue. Street now known as Court Street was named Library Court.

1909 October 4: Delaware Retail Merchants Boosters Club was given exclusive use of all downtown streets and sidewalks on October 13, 14, 15 and 16 for the Pumpkin Show.

(The next two entries would appear to have been related to our involvement in World War I:)

1918 October: Berlin Street was renamed North Street.

1918 December 9: Resolution 1092: Liberty Street to Liberty Avenue "because it seemed more appropriate to have gone out from Liberty Street and returned to Liberty Avenue." (It appears that we have been mistakenly calling this Liberty Street for a long time.)

1921 August 1: George Hoffman was granted permission to erect an electric sign over West Winter Street. (Buns Restaurant)

In 1924 Parking spaces for autos were established on West Winter Street from Sandusky to Franklin.

1925 July 6: Speed limit within the city is 15 MPH.

1925 October 13: Thoroughfares and stop streets established.

1926 October 4: South Street was changed to London Road.

1927 February 7: Traffic light installed by Ohio Utilities Co. at Sandusky and William.

1927 May 16: The first committee reporting on traffic and parking (page 43 "1927") complained the merchants and employees were using all the parking places in the business area and there was nothing left for shoppers, farmers or tourists ‑‑ so they suggested a two‑hour parking limit (where meters are now) ‑‑ also people were driving 40‑50 MPH. Due to the fact that only one policeman and Chief were working during the day ‑‑ they recommended that a traffic officer be hired and he use a motorcycle.

1927 October 3: The Law and Ordinance Committee suggested the use of land in the alley, between West William and West Winter at the rear of the Business House, for the parking of automobiles ‑‑ they estimate 150 cars can be parked here.

1929 March 12: Ordinance establishing parking space for taxi cabs and tourist. Ordinance #1231, page 299, Book 4.

An earlier ordinance relating to "Taxi" was passed on May 3, 1875:

Establish stands for Hackney Coaches and other vehicles, and to fix rates of transportation of persons and property.

Section I ‑‑ Unlawful for any person to run or use for hire any public Hackney coach, cab, omnibus or Dray without written license.

Section II ‑‑ Each vehicle transporting passenger ‑‑ $2 Transporting freight ‑‑ $1

Section III ‑‑ It shall be unlawful for any person to charge or receive a higher price than 254 in the daytime or 504 after nine o'clock for transporting passenger and ordinary luggage.

Section IV ‑‑ Stands were set between William and Winter on Sandusky and near the depot. Spaces numbered and assigned. Unlawful for any person to interfere with their usage.

1929 May 6: Ordinance to regulate parking of autos on West Winter and West Central, Ordinance #1237, page 311, Book 4.

1930 December 1: Ordinance to prohibit the further installation of curb filling stations within city limits, Ordinance #1301, page 461, Ord. Book 4.

1931 November 2: Petition from Ed Shindoler and 124 others requesting a traffic light at William and Liberty.

1931 November 16: The Safety Committee recommended the traffic light at Sandusky and London Road, Lake and Central, and Liberty and William not be installed at this time.

1949: Parking meters were installed on downtown streets.