From Lincoln to Washington: Five Marshalltown streets named for U.S. presidents | News, Sports, Jobs

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles about Marshalltown street names. Today’s article identifies the five city streets named after U.S. presidents. Previous articles have reported how 16 streets had name changes — some more than once. Other articles detailed the streets named after prominent Marshalltown citizens — the town’s earliest developers Henry Anson and Greenleaf Woodbury. Also reported were streets named for those active in community development in more recent years, specifically, the late attorney Rex Ryden. Readers who have knowledge of how streets were named, name changes, of others no longer in use, or new streets or avenues are asked to contact Times-Republican reporter Mike Donahey at medonahey@gmail.com.

Marshalltown became a village in 1853 according to the “Marshall County History 1862.” The first cabin was built by Anson in 1854 in an area now known as the 100 block of West Main Street, according to the same book and Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) archives.

As its population increased it carried on the tradition of other communities in naming streets in honor of U.S. presidents. Washington is an overwhelmingly popular choice for street names, according to a variety of social media resources.

Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington streets were listed in Marshalltown according to “The Marshall County Atlas, 1871.” A review of city maps present-day found five streets named after presidents.

Abraham Lincoln earned two — Lincoln Way (sometimes spelled Lincolnway) and Lincoln Street. Grant and Madison streets were named later, and that may be the subject of another story.

Lincoln Way came from the Lincoln Highway, according to T-R archives. The Lincoln Highway was established nationally in 1913. The Lincoln Highway had several routes through Marshalltown over a period of years until it was renamed U.S. Highway 30 in 1926 according to Historical Society of Marshall County archives.

Thomas Jefferson is honored by virtue of his last name with Jefferson Drive in Marshall County. It was unclear at time of press if the drive was named for the president or a local, county or state resident. The official findings will be the subject of a future story.

Jefferson Drive

Historians consider Thomas Jefferson as one of the nation’s most influential presidents and statesmen. He authored the Declaration of Independence and was the visionary behind the Louisiana Purchase, and he served as president from 1801 to 1809.

Jefferson was born in 1743 at Shadwell Plantation in Va. He died in 1826 at age 83 at Monticello, Va.

The drive is due south of the intersection of Governor Road and Burns Road, with the latter serving as the boundary between Marshalltown’s southeast quadrant and county limits, said Marshall County Engineer Paul Geilenfeldt in a recent telephone interview with the T-R.

A number of residences adjoin the roadway which connects to Wolf Lake.

Madison Street

James Madison served as the fourth president from 1809-1817. He is remembered for serving while tensions with Great Britain escalated, leading to the War of 1812. The war ended in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent.

Madison was born in 1751 in Port Conway, Va. and died in 1836 in Montpelier, Va. The street runs east-west and is considered residential, although a number of businesses adjoin.

The intersection of West Madison and South Third St. has significant traffic flow.

Lincoln Street/Lincoln Way

Historians consider Lincoln as one of America’s most influential presidents. He governed over a country bitterly divided over the issue of slavery which led to the Civil War – 1860-1865.

He shepherded legislation enacting the Emancipation Proclamation among other achievements including creating land grant colleges and universities.

He was born in 1809 in Hodgenville, Ky., and was assassinated in Washington, D.C in 1865. He was 56.

Lincoln Street runs east to west on the town’s north side. Lincoln Way was originally Coal and then Doty, according to T-R archives.

Washington Street

Historians also consider George Washington as one of the nation’s most influential presidents, civil servants and military officers. Before becoming president, he led the Continental Army to victory over British forces in the Revolutionary War – also known as the American War for Independence – 1775-1783. He gave his inaugural address April 30, 1789 in New York, N.Y.

In 1790, Washington D.C. – named in his honor – was established as the nation’s capital.

Washington voluntarily stepped down after the end of his second term in 1797. He was born in 1732 in Westmoreland County, Va. and died in 1799 in Mount Vernon, Va. He was 67.

West Grant Street

While Ulysses Grant was regarded by some as a brilliant military tactician, his record as president was overshadowed by his poor selection of political appointees.

Some historians consider him as one of the nation’s worst presidents due to the volume of corruption that took place during his terms, which was instigated by his appointees. Grant struggled with alcoholism and other health issues during his presidency.

Grant was the 18th president serving from 1869-1877. He led the Union Army to victory over Confederate forces in 1865 ending the Civil War. Grant was born in 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio and died in 1885 at age 63 at Mount McGregor, N.Y.

The street runs east to west on the town’s north side.