Ellsworth Avenue

From Pittsburgh Streets
Ellsworth Avenue
Neighborhood Shadyside
Origin of name Elmer E. Ellsworth
Wikipedia Ellsworth Avenue
East Liberty Street (1860s)
Origin of name Village of East Liberty

Ellsworth Avenue is named for Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth (1837–1861), the leader of the 11th New York Infantry, popularly known as "Ellsworth's Zouaves." Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the Civil War; he was shot while removing a Confederate flag from the roof of a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.[1][2] (See also Melwood Avenue, the southernmost part of which was once named Zouave Street.)

An unlabeled road in the location of modern Ellsworth Avenue between Aiken Avenue and Centre Avenue, crossing what would become the Pennsylvania Railroad, appears in an 1851 map of Allegheny County.[3]

In the plan of the subdivision of McFarland's Grove, first recorded in 1865 and lying mostly within the quadrangle bounded by modern Ellsworth Avenue, Aiken Avenue, Walnut Street, and Bellefonte Street, this street is labeled East Liberty Street.[4][5]

An ordinance opening Ellsworth Avenue was passed by City Councils in December 1869.[6]

Bob Regan says that Ellsworth Avenue was originally called White's Lane.[7] This name likely referred to George R. White, whose estate was on the south side of this lane between modern Maryland Avenue and College Street.[8][9][10] Regan also says that the street was opened on the day of Ellsworth's death, though he mistakenly gives Colonel Ellsworth the rank of general.[7]

See also

References

  1. George T. Fleming. "Names recall Civil War heroes: Soldiers of national and local fame well commemorated in Pittsburgh: Battles also live." Pittsburgh Gazette Times, May 30, 1915, sec. 5, p. 2. Newspapers.com 85758872. [view source]fleming-civil-war
  2. Ned Schano. "Let's learn from the past: Col. Elmer Ellsworth." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr. 26, 2012, p. E-5. Newspapers.com 96471729; https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2012/04/26/Let-s-Learn-From-the-Past-Col-Elmer-Ellsworth/stories/201204260272. [view source]lets-learn-ellsworth
  3. Sidney & Neff and S. McRea. Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with the Names of Property-Holders. Philadelphia, 1851. LCCN 2012592150. [view source]sidney-neff
  4. "Subdivision of McFarland's Grove near Shady Side Station: East Liberty, Allegheny County Penna." Recorded Oct. 16, 1865, Plan Book 3, pp. 82–83. Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds 3778520. [view source]mcfarlands-grove-plan
  5. The Municipal Record: Containing the proceedings of the Select and Common Councils of the City of Pittsburgh: 1868, July 27, Common Council. Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Pittsburgh. Internet Archive pghmunicipalrecord1868_20200904_2014. [view source]municipal-record-1868
  6. The Municipal Record: Containing the proceedings of the Select and Common Councils of the City of Pittsburgh: 1869, pp. 106, 114. Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Pittsburgh. Internet Archive pghmunicipalrecord1868_20200904_2014. [view source]municipal-record-1869
  7. 7.0 7.1 Bob Regan. The Names of Pittsburgh: How the city, neighborhoods, streets, parks and more got their names, p. 68. The Local History Company, Pittsburgh, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9770429-7-5. [view source]regan
  8. S. N. & F. W. Beers. Map of Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Smith, Gallup & Hewitt, Philadelphia, 1862. LCCN 2012592151; 1862 layer at Pittsburgh Historic Maps (https://esriurl.com/pittsburgh). [view source]beers
  9. Atlas of the Cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs, p. 63. G. M. Hopkins & Co., Philadelphia, 1872. http://historicpittsburgh.org/maps-hopkins/1872-atlas-pittsburgh-allegheny; 1872 layer at Pittsburgh Historic Maps (https://esriurl.com/pittsburgh). [view source]hopkins-1872
  10. Atlas of the Cities Pittsburgh and Allegheny, plate 18. G. M. Hopkins & Co., Philadelphia, 1882. http://historicpittsburgh.org/maps-hopkins/1882-atlas-pittsburgh-allegheny; 1882 layer at Pittsburgh Historic Maps (https://esriurl.com/pittsburgh). [view source]hopkins-1882