Stravenues, odynyms, and Chicken Dinner Road—weird facts about roads
By Maddie Wojtalewicz
Driving aside, the rules of the road are complex and complicated—even the words used to describe the type of road you’re driving on come with a set of guidelines and definitions.
For example, a road is defined as something that connects two points. A street, however, is a type of road that’s specifically a public way with buildings on either side and that often runs perpendicular to an avenue. Boulevard, lane, drive, court, place, terrace, highway, and interstates all have precise definitions.
The proper names of these roads (or streets, drives, and highways) tell a story, too. They often provide a special look into their surrounding town, city, or state, and sometimes the country’s cultures and geography.
So, next time you’re looking at a map and wondering why roads are named a certain way, keep these unique facts in mind:
Tucson, Arizona, is the only city in the U.S. where you can find a stravenue. The Pima County Code defines it as “a street that runs diagonally between and intersects a street and an avenue.” Stravenues were originally created by subdivision developers. (Source)
Tucson, Arizona, is the only city in the U.S. where you can find a stravenue. The Pima County Code defines it as “a street that runs diagonally between and intersects a street and an avenue.” Stravenues were originally created by subdivision developers. (Source)
To avoid confusing motorists, the numbering system used for interstates is the opposite of the one used for highways. For example, I-10, which runs through Southern states, and Highway 10, which runs through Northern states, were named and planned to never cross paths. (Source)
To avoid confusing motorists, the numbering system used for interstates is the opposite of the one used for highways. For example, I-10, which runs through Southern states, and Highway 10, which runs through Northern states, were named and planned to never cross paths. (Source)
While not defined in all dictionaries, the word that identifies a street name is known as an odonym. Typically, an odonym reflects the local geography or culture, but sometimes, it can be completely random.
While not defined in all dictionaries, the word that identifies a street name is known as an odonym. Typically, an odonym reflects the local geography or culture, but sometimes, it can be completely random.
It’s not Main or Broadway. According to the Washington Post’s in-depth look into street names, Park is the most popular in the U.S. Regionally, Dogwood and Magnolia are among the most popular in the South and Maple is the most popular in the North. In the West and Midwest, the most common street names are numbers. (Source)
It’s not Main or Broadway. According to the Washington Post’s in-depth look into street names, Park is the most popular in the U.S. Regionally, Dogwood and Magnolia are among the most popular in the South and Maple is the most popular in the North. In the West and Midwest, the most common street names are numbers. (Source)
Per the Idaho Press, as the story goes, in the 1930s, Morris B. and Laura Lamb lived on Lane 12. Morris and Laura were close friends with the governor, C. Ben Ross, and told him about their road’s poor condition. He agreed to oil the road if the Lambs got it graded and graveled. Laura, who was known for her homemade fried chicken, got the job done. However, soon after the road was oiled, vandals painted “Lamb’s Chicken Dinner Avenue” in large, bright yellow words in front of the couple’s house. Since then, the road has been known as Chicken Dinner Road. (Source)
Per the Idaho Press, as the story goes, in the 1930s, Morris B. and Laura Lamb lived on Lane 12. Morris and Laura were close friends with the governor, C. Ben Ross, and told him about their road’s poor condition. He agreed to oil the road if the Lambs got it graded and graveled. Laura, who was known for her homemade fried chicken, got the job done. However, soon after the road was oiled, vandals painted “Lamb’s Chicken Dinner Avenue” in large, bright yellow words in front of the couple’s house. Since then, the road has been known as Chicken Dinner Road. (Source)
When new roads are created, real estate and subdivision developers are typically in charge of naming them according to municipal guidelines. Through an analysis of several years’ worth of home listings and sales data, Zillow Group found that when it comes to property values:
• Street names are better than numbers.
• Lanes are better than streets
• Unusual names are better than common ones
(Source)
When new roads are created, real estate and subdivision developers are typically in charge of naming them according to municipal guidelines. Through an analysis of several years’ worth of home listings and sales data, Zillow Group found that when it comes to property values:
• Street names are better than numbers.
• Lanes are better than streets
• Unusual names are better than common ones
(Source)
Beyond working with the appropriate municipal bodies, a lot of factors have to be taken into consideration when changing the name of a road. Every home and business located on the street has to change its address, as well as update everything that has its address on it. Maps and GPS systems need to be updated, too. Because of these factors, petitions to change a street name are usually denied. (Source)
Beyond working with the appropriate municipal bodies, a lot of factors have to be taken into consideration when changing the name of a road. Every home and business located on the street has to change its address, as well as update everything that has its address on it. Maps and GPS systems need to be updated, too. Because of these factors, petitions to change a street name are usually denied. (Source)
Tractor Supply’s distribution center in Frankfort, New York, is located at 1938 Country Mile, which was specifically requested and chosen to reflect the year Tractor Supply formed. (Source)
Tractor Supply’s distribution center in Frankfort, New York, is located at 1938 Country Mile, which was specifically requested and chosen to reflect the year Tractor Supply formed. (Source)
Do you live on a road with an unusual name? Let us know! Send us the name and location at OutHere@TractorSupply.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue.
About the Writer
Maddie Wojtalewicz is a writer from Indiana.
Maddie Wojtalewicz is a writer from Indiana.
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