A street by any other name...

Mary Phillips describes a contest that was once held to rename Reno Avenue in Oklahoma City.

hen a street is named, it usually keeps its name. Rarely is a roadway’s name changed, and if so, it is usually to honor a person or an event. In 1933, Reno Avenue resisted Oklahoma City’s attempt to change its name to Southwest First Street, and in 1952, an attempt was launched to rename the eastern half of Reno. A contest was held, and reported on the entries May 26, 1952.

Other suggestions were Paradise Drive, Lover’s Lane, Chippendale Road and Redbud Lane, in honor of the state tree.

More entries proposed the name be changed to Market Street, Kings Highway, Murray Road, Monroney Avenue, Urban Dyke, Paveway Drive, Midway, Mockingbird Lane and Friendship Road. suggesting a suitable name and bought themselves a postoffice box in Midwest City to receive entries.

To their surprise, everybody, it seems wants to go down in history as the person who named a street.

A deputy sheriff, who says he was once a “cop on Reno street” wrote in to suggest that Reno be called “Nevada” east of Eastern.

“That,” wrote the officer, “is so nobody will be confused as to where one street begins and the other ends. It’s easy to think of Reno, Nevada.”

One woman wants the street called “Unity drive” because it will be an example of what we citizens can do about anything if we stand together.

Another suggests the street be called “Republican road” because the committee “needs a change of name at a time when we are in hopes of a change in administration.”

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While the re-naming group is busy tabulating entries — the contest ends May 28 — some oldtimers are objecting to changing the name of anything as “honorable as Reno.”

The street is believed to have been named after Fort Reno which in turn was named after Brig. General Jesse Lee Reno, early day Indian fighter and Civil War hero.

But other people, especially the younger set, want to be reminded of more modern heroes. Some want to call the street “Alfalfa Bill.”

The Oklahoman

Folks are pretty conservative when it comes to attaching a “handle”to their offspring. They stand by the old favorites; Mary, John, Junior and Betty. But when it comes to naming streets the field is wide open.

At least, that’s the impression the “Re-Name Reno Committee” has after reviewing more than 1,500 names suggested to date.

People want to name it after everything — from their great aunt who was an Indian fighter and ought to have a memorial to Belle Starr, famous Oklahoma outlaw woman.

A week ago, a group of property owners east of the city organized to change the name of Reno street from the city limits east.

They offered $100 to the person

The contest garnered 1,800 entries, and 70 of those suggested the street be named for Bob Peebly. Mrs. Glen Beach, a Midwest City resident, won the $100 prize for her entry of Peebly Drive. After discussion of the problems the name change might cause, Bob Peebly requested the proposal to rename Reno Avenue east of the city be dropped, and county commissioners agreed.

While Reno remains Reno, Peebly Drive in Midwest City and Peebly Road in eastern Oklahoma County bear Bob Peebly’s name.

Another popular entry is “Peebly road” in honor of Bob Peebly, former county commissioner and leader of the re-naming group.