Iconic Whitewoman Street will be keeping its moniker

COSHOCTON – The name of Coshocton's most iconic street won't be changing anytime soon, per Coshocton City Council.

Council at its regular meeting April 25, heard from two citizens regarding changing the name of Whitewoman Street that runs down the heart of Roscoe Village. The recreation of a canal era town is the driving force of a local tourism industry responsible for bringing in $58 million a year and contributing to 750 jobs locally.

Kirby Hasseman recently made a video stating the name could be viewed as offensive and might be a hinderance to people visiting or living in Coshocton. He suggested calling it Mary Harris Street. Harris was the first white settler in the area and the Native American name for her was White Woman, hence the road name.

Brad Fuller, president of the Roscoe Village Business Association, spoke on behalf of many others in attendance who didn't want the name changed as they don't believe it's racist and is an important part of Coshocton's history and heritage. Fuller also mentioned the financial hit many business owners and organizations would take to make changes to business cards and marketing materials.

Council, as promised, discussed the matter more at its recent committees meeting. Every member of council and President Tom Hilgenberg said many people have told them not to change the name, but nobody had been in favor of it who has spoken to them.

“They've been adamant across the board that it not be changed,” said Councilman Tom Barcroft. “Our community has spoken out and has been clear about it.”

However, Councilwoman Michelle Turner Ganz, co-owner of Dean's Jewelry, shared a story from a conference of 20 independent jewelers visiting Coshocton six years ago. They asked her about the name and she gave them the history behind the name. She couldn't say knowing the history improved their opinion.

“While I feel the majority of people in our community are use to Whitewoman Street, it's not an issue at all or anything we ever considered or thought about before, to outsiders looking in, they do notice it and they do wonder why it's named that,” Turner Ganz said.

Council members offered some different ideas, such as erecting a memorial for Mary Harris at the entrance to Roscoe Village or putting up honorary Mary Harris Street signs like what was done to honor football coach Sky Wharton on Water Street near Stewart Field. Hilgenberg said that would be up to Roscoe Village to pursue.

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com.