The Streets of Detroit

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Wabash AvenueMost likely named for the Wabash Railroad which was named for the Wabash River, which was named after the French River Ouabache.
Wade Avenue
Wadsworth AvenueMay have been named for General Elijah Wadsworth, who raised three regiments to fight in the War of 1812.
Wager Avenue
Wagner Street
Wakefield Road
Walbridge StreetMay have been named for George B. Walbridge who co-founded one of the largest construction companies in Detroit (1914).
Walden Avenue
Waldo Street
Wales Street
Walker BoulevardPossibly named for John Walker, who was one of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.
Walker StreetPossibly named for John Walker, who was one of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.
Wallace Avenue
Wallick Place
Wallingford Avenue
Walnut StreetProbably named after the walnut tree.
Waltham Avenue
Walton Street
Wanamaker Place
Wanda Avenue
Ward Avenue/StreetMay have been named for Detroit industrialist Eber Brock Ward.
Ward PlaceMay have been named for Detroit industrialist Eber Brock Ward.
Waring Avenue
Wark AvenueNamed for Bruce H. Wark. Bruce lived in Detroit most of his life (he emigrated from Canada in his late teens). Bruce was a real estate developer and his biography (up to 1922) can be found in The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 5, by William Stocking & Gordon K. Miller (available at Google books). The street has been renamed Santa Rosa Drive.

Special thanks to Robert Wark (http://sites.google.com/site/northernjourneybhwark/) for this information.

Warner Street
Warren Avenue E-WThis street was opened in 1869 and was named for the Revolutionary War hero, General Joseph Warren.
Warren CourtMany courts and places are named for there proximity to larger streets. That is probably the case here.
Warrington Drive
Warsaw PlaceNamed for the capital of Poland.
Warwick
Washburn Avenue
Washington BoulevardMary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Washington Boulevard was originally named Washington Grand Avenue after General Washington, according to the Woodward Plan. In 1828 it was renamed Wayne after General Anthony Wayne, the American commanding officer at Detroit in 1796. The street was later renamed again after the first president."

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Waterloo AvenueMany streets in Indian Village have Indian names, yet according to Nick Sinacori, quoted in an article in ModelD, at modeldmedia.com by Rodd Monts...Waterloo was named not after the battle, but for a horse farm of the same name in the area. Read more about this...

Special thanks to Craig Sasser for this information. Read more from Craig here.

Waterman Avenue
Waterman Avenue S
Watko Avenue
Watson PlaceEli Watson of New York founded Watson in Allegan County. I do not know if this street was named for him.
Watson StreetEli Watson of New York founded Watson in Allegan County. I do not know if this street was named for him.
Waveney Avenue
Waverly Avenue (HP)
Wayburn Avenue
Wayne StreetNamed for General Anthony Wayne.
WeaverPossibly named for religious crusader, William Weaver.
Webb AvenuePossibly named for abolitionist, William Webb; or General James Watson Webb.
Weitzel Court
Welland Avenue
Wellesley Avenue/Drive
Wellington AvenueProbably named for the Duke of Wellington or another place that was named for him.
Wells StreetSeveral places in Michigan were named for men named Wells. Wells Street in Detroit may or may not have been named for one of the men or one of the places. Anthony and James Wells settled Memphis in Macomb County. N.M. Wells was an assistant engineer for whom a settlement in Arenac was named. Wells in Delta County was named for sawmill owner Daniel Wells, Jr.. Wells in Tuscola County was named for postmaster Joseph Wells.
Welton Avenue
Wendell AvenuePossibly named for education advocate, Mary S. Wendell; or early settler Emory Wendell.
Wentworth Avenue (Ham)
Wesson Street
West BeaverlandThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and the abundance of beaver in the area when it was first settled.
West ChicagoThis street may have once been a trail that led to Chicago.
West End AvenueThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and/or the Michigan Central Railroad station in Springwells township.
West End Avenue SThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and/or the Michigan Central Railroad station in Springwells township.
West ParkwayThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.
West Point AvenueThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.
Westbrook AvenueIt is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is possible that this street ran along the west side of a brook or had a brook to the west of it.
Western AvenueThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.
Western DriveThis street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.
Westfield AvenueWhile this street may have been named for the now defunct rural post office in Kalamazoo County or a person named Westfield, it is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is possible that there was once a field to the wes tof this street.
Westminster AvenueProbably named for the area in London or another place that was named for it.
Westmoreland Road
Weston AvenuePossibly named after Lenawee County's Edward Payson Weston.
Westover Place
Westphalia AvenueProbably named after Westphalia, Germany.
Westwood AvenueIt is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is likely that this street was west of a wooded area.
Wetherby Avenue
Wexford Avenue
Weyher Avenue
Whalen Avenue (Ham)Named for the Village of Hamtramck's first fire chief (1915), Barnard Whalen.

Special thanks to John Bezik for this information.

Wheeler AvenuePossibly named after Genesee County's Elmer G. Wheeler, a landowner and justice of the peace; or pioneer James B. Wheeler; or Allegan County postmaster Chester C. Wheeler.
Wheelock Street
Whipple StreetMay have been named for Fort Wayne (Indiana) Captain Whipple (later General Whipple); or artist S. Arch Whipple.
Whitcomb Avenue
White StreetCould be named for one of the following -- or not. Jackson County settler R.R. White. Charlevoix County's White's Camp near White Lumber Mill. Genesee County's Clark White. Detroiter Peter White.
Whitefield Avenue
Whitehead Avenue
Whitehill
Whitewood/Whitwood Avenue
Whithorn Avenue
Whiting Street (Ham)Possibly named for Dr. J. L. Whiting, treasurer of The Detroit Lyceum; or Detroiter J. T. Whiting; or Colonel Henry Whiting.
Whitlock Avenue
Whitmore RoadPossibly named after the Ann Arbor area land owner Luke H. Whitmore.
Whitney AvenueThere are several Whitneys in Michigan history. Surveyor Charles Whitney is the namesake of Whitney in Menominee County. Arthur Whitney was a hunter and trapper from Highwood. Whitney Beach in Gladwin County was named for him. Whitney in Arenac County was named for the Whitney lumber mill. Lumber baron David Whitney's Detroit mansion still stands and is home to the Whitney restaurant. My money is on him.
Whittaker AvenuePossibly named after Washtenaw County general store owner Frank Whittaker.
Whittier RoadProbably named for abolitionist poet and quaker, John Greenleaf Whittier.
Widman Place
Wight StreetWas originally named Alexander for Alexander Fraser. Not sure where the "Wight" comes from.
Wilber/Wilbor AvenuePossibly named after pioneer settler Loran Wilber.
WilcoxMay have been named for General Orlando B. Wilcox or University of Michigan Secretary Eben N. Wilcox.
Wilde Street
Wildemere Avenue
Wildwood AveueStreets are often named for landmarks or geographical features in the area. That is probably the case with this street.
Wilfred Street
Wilkie Street
Wilkins StreetMay benamed for Judge Ross Wilkins or Colonel Wiilam D. wilkins.
Willard StreetPossibly named for Bay County's Levi Willard or Detroiter William Willard.
Willette Avenue
Williams AvenueMary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Willis Avenue E-WPossibly named for Wasthenaw County farmer, Willis L. Potter.
WillmarthWillmarth was once the name of the post office that is now Sand Hill.
Wilshire DriveProbably named for Wilshire, England; though I believe that is spelled Wiltshire.
Winchester Avenue E-WProbably named after General James Winchester.
Windemere Avenue (HP)
Winder StreetNamed for Colonel John Winder
Windmill Point Drive
Windsor AvenuePossibly named for Windsor, Ontario or Windsor, Vermont ot the founder of Osceola County.
Winfield AvenueDundee and Kinneyville both had, at one time, post offices known as Winfield. Not sure if that has anything to do with this avenue.
Winfield Avenue (Ham)Dundee and Kinneyville both had, at one time, post offices known as Winfield. Not sure if that has anything to do with this avenue.
Wing PlaceMay have been named for Austin E. Wing an area surveyor, sheriff, and University of Michigan Regent.
Winger Street
Winkleman Avenue
Winona Avenue (HP)Possibly named after the Winona Copper Mining Company or Winona in Houghton County, which was named for the company.
Winslow Street
Winston Avenue
Winter Street
Winthrop AvenuePossibly named after the Winthrop Iron Company or the town in Tuscola County, which was named for the iron company.
Wisconsin AvenueProbably named for the state of Wisconsin.
Wisner AvenueProbably named after Michigan Governor Moses Wisner.
Witherell StreetMary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Witherall [sic] was named after James Witherall, who succeeded Frederick Bates as one of the first Michigan territorial judges in 1808. He was a major in the War of 1812 and commanded General William Hull's army in Detroit. He was Territorial Secretary in 1828 and prompted the establishment of a public school system. "

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Witt Avenue
Wolff Street
Wolverine Avenue (Ham)Probably named after the state animal.
Wood AvenueWood, you know, wood.
Woodbine
Woodbridge Street E-WNamed for William Woodbridge. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "William Woodbridge owned land west of the Cass farm and was active in early Detroit government. He was secretary of the Michigan Territory in 1814, a Michigan representative to Congress in 1819, territorial judge in 1827, governor of Michigan in 1839 and U.S. senator in 1841. His legacy is remembered in Woodbridge Street."
Woodhall
Woodingham Drive
Woodland AvenueWoodland in Barry County was named for its location amidst dense woods. This street could have been named after the town in Barry County.
Woodland StreetWoodland in Barry County was named for its location amidst dense woods. This street could have been named after the town in Barry County.
Woodlawn AvenuePossibly named after the village in Delta County.
Woodmere AvenuePossibly named after the station on the Canada Southern and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroads.
Woodmont Road
Woodrow AvenueProbably named after President Woodrow Wilson.
Woodrow WilsonNamed for President Woodrow Wilson.
Woodside StreetStreets are frequently named for landmarks and geographic features of the surrounding area. It is likely that there was a wood along side this street.
Woodstock Drive
Woodston Road
Woodward AvenueNamed for Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Woodward Avenue had its humble beginnings as a Native American hunting/travelling path.
Worcester PlaceThere are many places in the US named Worcester. It most likely comes for Worcester in the UK.
WordenPossibly named after early Wasthenw County landowner, E.S. Worden.
Wormer
Wotzke Court
Wreford AvenuePossibly named for William Wreford from whom Henry Ford rented 58 Bagley, the place where Ford assembled his first automobile.
Wyandotte Avenue (Ham)Probably named after the Native American tribe.
Wykes Avenue
WymanPossibly named after the Montcalm County postmaster, Harvey P. Wyman.
Wyoming AvenuePossibly named after the Wyoming Territory or state.
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Glossary:
Algonquin

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes (and others): Delaware, Fox, Huron, Miami, Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sac, Shawnee and Winnebago.
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Glossary:
arquebus

A 39 pound (approximate) musket that two men would prop on a tri-pod and fire with a small torch. The arquebus was used by Champlain's men against the Iroquois to defend the Hurons. This may be the cause of decades of Iroquois abuse of the Hurons.
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Glossary:
clay and wattle

Building technique used in the construction of chimneys in the early days of Fort Ponchartrain. The technique involved piling sticks and packing them - inside and out - with clay and mud.
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Glossary:
Colbertism

Name for early French mercantilism in America, which Jean-Baptiste Colbert was influential in developing.
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Glossary:
conges

Trade permits issued by the Canadian government/court of France in the late 1600s to early 1700s.
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Glossary:
coureurs de bois

Very early French inhabitants of the current US and Canada who gave up their farmsteads for lives in the fur trade. They often lived with Native Americans.
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Glossary:
District of Hesse

Land district provisioned by the Canadian Council on July 24, 1788. The area was on the east side of the Detroit River.
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Glossary:
Fox

"Properly ""Mesh-kwa-ki-hug"". Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Renyard. An allied tribe of the Sacs and Mascoutin."
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Glossary:
Huron

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
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Glossary:
Iroquoian

General term sometimes used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca.
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Glossary:
Iroquois

"A Native American tribe known for antagonizing and brutalizing the Hurons (see also arquebus)"
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Glossary:
Mascouten

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes and Sacs. Also spelled Mascoutin.
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Glossary:
Miami

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
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Glossary:
Muskhogean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek.
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Glossary:
New York Currency

First standard currency used in Detroit (first used in 1765).
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Glossary:
Ottawa

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
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Glossary:
Outagamies

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes (and Sacs?).
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Glossary:
Plains Indians

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Pawnee (Pani).
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Glossary:
Potawatomi

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
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Glossary:
Quebec Act

Act of June 22, 1774, in which British Parliament decides to exercise English law in criminal cases and old French provincial law in civil cases in western settlements. The idea was to discourage people from settling in the west.
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Glossary:
Renyard

See Fox
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Glossary:
ribbon farms

Original land grants given by Cadillac. The lots were typically around 200 feet wide at the river front, with lengths up to 3 miles.
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Glossary:
Sac

See Sauk
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Glossary:
Sakis

See Sauk
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Glossary:
Sauk

Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Sakis; English and Americans generally call them Sacs. An allied tribe of the Foxes/Renyards and Mascouten.
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Glossary:
Shoshonean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Bannock and Shoshone.
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Glossary:
Treaty of Montreal

Treaty ending the war between the Iroquois and France and England. Negotiations began in July of 1698 and the treaty was signed in August of 1701.
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Glossary:
Treaty of Ryswick

September 20, 1697 treaty ending war between France and England.
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Glossary:
voyageurs

Early French explorers who traveled mainly by water.