“Portsmouth Streets”
Did you ever wonder how some of the
streets in Portsmouth got their names? Here’s what some of my research turned
up on how they came to be called what they are called.
Bond Street, located close to Shawnee
State University, was named in honor of William Key Bond, a Baltimore, Maryland
man who was related to Francis Scott Key, who wrote our National Anthem in
1814. Bond came to Portsmouth in its earliest days and became a prominent real
estate investor.
Campbell Avenue, in the East End, was
named for Francis Campbell, an attorney from Chillicothe, who spent much time
in Portsmouth representing local clients. He amassed a number of properties in
the East End.
Robinson Avenue was named in honor of
J. N. Robinson, another man who owned much real estate—this time in the North
End of Portsmouth.
The Thompson Addition, between Union
and Offnere Streets, was named for Moses Thompson, who came from Wheeling (then
in Virginia) in the early days of Portsmouth. His residence took up nearly the
entire square between Jackson Avenue and Third Street. Thompson’s old-fashioned
colonial home faced Union Street.
Offnere Street was named for Jacob
Offnere, who was a prominent Portsmouth physician and a man of wealth and
influence in the city.
Chillicothe Street was so called
because it was used as the road to Chillicothe, Ohio. Gallia Street, which is
actually a shortened name of Gallipolis Street, was given its name because it
was the road that led to Gallipolis.
Lincoln, Jackson, Madison, Jefferson,
and Washington, of course, were all named for U.S. Presidents. However, Monroe
Street, in the East End, was named for Samuel Monroe, a local contractor.
Massie Street was named for Henry
Massie, the “Founding Father” of Portsmouth, who drew up the city’s original
plat in 1803.
I hope you enjoyed this little
Portsmouth history lesson.
Blaine
Bierley
PHS-1955
