JACKSON COUNTY HISTORY: What’s in a Name?

Have you ever wondered how streets were named when driving through town? After half a century of living in Newport, it is safe to say I know most of the street names, but not the origin of the names. I pondered for weeks on a topic for this month’s Jackson County history article. Then, I was driving through Newport on route to a meeting and caught myself “chasing a rabbit” wondering about street names. Newport celebrates her 150th birthday this month. With a rich history, what better topic than What’s in a Name.

Newport’s origins began with the existence of the White River and construction of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. These two things are most assuredly the reasons we do not have a town square like other Arkansas communities. Newport’s activity focused on river and railroad transportation.

According to articles found in the Newport Independent’s 100th anniversary issue, the first streets were graded in the late 1870s, and the first one was named East First Street in 1873. Two years later, 1875, Newport was incorporated. The first plat filed within Newport was recorded on March 16, 1878.

The beginning streets in Newport were named after given numbers and names of well-known trees. The reasoning behind the tree names is unclear, but it was common for the streets of new communities to use numerals. The main business street, today’s Front Street, was named First Street. Each parallel street moving south was given the names Second, Third, and so forth.

In addition to using the numbers to name streets, the founders chose to name the streets running north and south names of trees. The streets named for trees include Ash, Pine, Vine, Elm, Walnut, Hazel, and Laurel. Those streets are part of Chastain Addition. Beech and Plum were added later; two other streets named after trees. Although maple is a tree, Maple Street was named after Jack Roberts. He named Mill, Wood, and Maple in relation to the handles made at his local business.

Historical figures were included when naming Newport streets. Garfield Street was named for the United States President James A. Garfield. Jackson Street was named for President Andrew Jackson. Bryan Street for William Jennings Bryan. As a lawyer, Bryan is known for his involvement in the 1925 “Monkey Trial” which indicted a teacher for teaching evolution. Dewey Street is named after the naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Washington Street is named after the first United States President, George Washington. The origin of Clay Street is debated. Some believe it may be named after the statesman Henry Clay, but others believe it is named after Clay Hillhouse, a local who lived on the corner of Remmel and Clay Streets.

Other streets within the original Newport, west of Newport Lake, are named after local people who impacted the community. The Remmel addition, property south of Remmel Avenue, was owned by Harmon Remmel who came to Newport in 1876, lived here for 20 years, and was the first school board president of Newport Schools. A portion of his land was given to the city as a park. Today, the park remains. It is located opposite Newport High School and encompasses the track, tennis courts, and beautiful green space. Other streets named after local people include Calhoun Circle named after Norman S. Calhoun who was a principal of Branch High School. Erwin Street was named after C.M. Erwin, a Newport attorney. Ashley Drive was named after Mrs. Elizabeth Ashley, a dedicated promoter of all things Newport. Hirsch Street is named after the Aaron Hirsch family, early settlers who owned a mercantile business. Mason Street was named after the Fred J. Mason family, landowners in both Jacksonport and Newport. Arrington Street is named after Thad Arrington. Lizzie and Thad Arrington were proprietors of a restaurant on Front Street. Lester Street is named after Dolph Lester. Bowen Street was the family name of Otto M. Bowen, a Newport farmer and merchant. Leona Street was given the name of Mrs. Will N. Bowen. Laura Street gained its name from Mrs. Laura Hirsch, whose family came to Newport in 1879. Lacy Drive was named for the late Gay Lacy Sr. who owned the land the 1963 Newport Housing Project was built. Grant Street is named after Grant Dupens who operated a dray service in Newport. Newport Avenue is named as a tribute to the City of Newport. Morris Street was named after J.B. Morris. Logan Addition was subdivided around 1944, and the addition and Logan Street are named after R.T. Logan, owner of the property.

The original city limits of Newport were on the west side of Newport Lake as previously mentioned. The land on the east side of the lake had a logical growth pattern. When the time came for expansion, the area was named East Newport. The first bridged connection over the lake connecting with the land to the East was built in 1886. The present causeway was constructed in 1908 by John McLain, for whom a street is named. Further south, when crossing the lake into East Newport, Third Street changes to Malcolm Avenue. This was the only residential street in that section for many years. Malcolm Avenue was named after Malcolm Taggart who married the daughter of the Dills family. The Dills owned a farm south of what is today Malcolm Avenue.

While heading to the upcoming 150th birthday celebration of Newport, I hope the information read here will give families conversation pieces until the next issue.

Photo from 1880s downtown Newport. Accessed from https://jacksonhistory.net/1880s-remmel-lumber-company