Hamden Streets Named for Women
Many Hamden streets bear the names of families who have lived in town for many generations, such as Dickerman, Talmadge, Todd, Warner, and Woodin. It is difficult to know for certain which particular member of the family, if any, the street is named for, but very likely it was always for a male member, as any accomplishments made by women were not widely recognized. Hamden also has streets named for its residents who lost their lives in the armed services (see previous articles here and here) and for veterans, but these have also all been men. However, some streets clearly were named for women: those bearing feminine given names.
The earliest such street was originally spelled “Hellen Street” on a 1911 plat, or subdivision map, titled “Lots of Hellen Warner”. Residents of the street, perhaps disliking having its name often misspelled, or that it contained “hell”, had the town change the spelling to “Helen” in 1936. Mike and Antoinette Langer lived at 183 Helen St., at the corner of Langer St. They had a daughter named Helen - perhaps for the street? In any case, Helen Langer, who was an Army nurse during World War II, is the only woman to have both her first and last names associated with Hamden streets.
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Another interesting group of streets is in Whitneyville, where Morris Steinert (pictured above at a clavichord), founder of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, lived. After his death, his estate was subdivided. Morris St. was named for him, Caroline St. for his wife, and Heloise St. for their daughter Heloise Shoninger, the first woman cellist in the orchestra.
Developers of new subdivisions or owners of their land sometimes named streets for their daughters, as was the case with Allene Dr., Corene Dr., Jean St., and Marietta St., or their wife (Violet St.) or mother (Myra Rd.) The specific women for whom other streets bearing feminine names, such as Abby Ln., Barbara Ln., Eleanor St., Jennifer Rd., Katherine Dr., and Lucy St. were named have not been determined, but it is possible they were also named for some relative of the developers.
Some women landowners had subdivisions built: Elizabeth Mikolinski has a street with her first name, Mary J. Bliss and Evelyn N. Potter with their last names. Ann's Farm Rd. is on the former farm of Anna Raccio. Tilly G. Rowe developed Beverly Rd., perhaps naming it for a relative or friend.
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