Column: Main Street, and a whole lot more

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A detour on Highway E got me thinking about street names the other day.
What goes into the naming process? How many are in reference to notable residents or families from the past?
Every city has a Main Street, right? Most Midwest towns probably include multiple tree species or places near water (Elm Street, Magnolia Street, Poplar Street, Lakeside Drive).
Other than the common U.S. and state highways (Highway 51, Highway 61, Highway B, Highway A, Highway D and Perry County Roads, a quick look at a county map reveals many unique street names.
The city of Perryville’s street name list includes ties to early area settlement (French Lane, Seminary Road) as well as the oldest city in the U.S. (Ste. Augustine).
Two of the four presidents on Mt. Rushmore are represented in Perryville, with Lincoln Court and Washington Lane north of Allens Landing Road. Kennedy Drive also is on the map, along with Carter Lane, Jackson Street, Jefferson Street, Truman Drive, Taylor (12th president) Lane and Tyler (10th president) Drive. However, perhaps is an area of underrepresentation. Where is Roosevelt Drive, Clinton Avenue, Nixon Court or Obama Lane?
Perryville also has streets named after Veterans (Drive and Memorial Parkway).
Perryville has a Pershing Street and John J. Pershing was one of more recognizable military generals during World War I.
Perryville has street names for animals: Dove Lane, Elk Drive, Roadrunner Lane as well as New Year’s Day football contests: Gator Bowl.

Here’s a unique one: Perryville has three street names that begin with Z. There’s only one place in the city where two of the Z-streets meet (Zita and Zena, south of St. Joseph Street).
The city of Perryville and Perry County has street names for restaurants (McDonald’s Drive or Court), trees (numerous, including Dogwood Court, Sycamore Drive, White Oak Lane, Walnut Street and Weeping Willow Lane off Highway P).
A few of the street names also evoke patriotic feelings that may bring back memories of Revolutionary War or other historical events in the nation or state’s past (Independence Drive, Constitution Street, Liberty Street). It is an area is open to expansion. The only Founding Fathers represented are Jefferson and Washington, so I suppose there is room for Adams, Franklin, Madison and Monroe streets, or possibly Henry Avenue, in reference to Patrick Henry, the Virginia representative who once declared: “Give me liberty or give me death.”
Also making an appearance include natural topography, such as Hilltop Lane, Hillcrest Drive, Ice Hill Street, or Windy Hill Drive. A couple reference the position of the sun (Sunrise Circle, Sunset Drive).
Perry County takes its name from a naval commander, but a Perry Street or Perry Road is lacking. Sure, there is Perryville Boulevard, but how about getting a Perry Lane or Perry Court? That’s just another suggestion for a future developer. It could possibly get platted together with a few more Native American names because other than Osage Circle and Shawnee Circle that demographic apparently could use a few more street names.
There also are a few first-names of famous movie or television characters on the list, including Dorothy (Drive) from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Lucy (Street) from ‘I Love Lucy,’ and Bruce (Street), obviously a reference to Bruce Wayne from the Batman series.
With apologies to all the street names out there that didn’t make the cut, give it a little time and possibly the city or county’s push toward progress will unveil new possibilities, or reach out with the interesting story of how the street you reside on got its special name.
-Thanks for reading!
Daniel Winningham is the managing editor of the Republic-Monitor. He can be reached at 573-547-4567, ext. 227 or email editor@perryvillenews.com.