What’s in a Name?
Fallon street names tell us a lot about the city's origin and development. For example, our main street is not Main Street but Maine Street. It was named by city father Warren Williams after his home state, Maine. Williams Avenue is named for Warren Williams himself.
Williams was a colorful figure cut from the cloth of the Wild West. He was born in Portland, Maine, in 1836 and, as a young man, emigrated to California and then Nevada. His story is too long to relate here, but it includes gun fights, knife fights, horseracing, wild river crossings, gold mines, Nevada ranches, and the founding of Fallon, Nevada.
Street names other than Maine and Williams reflect the unique early history of the town. Bailey Street was named after Joe Bailey, who, in the late 19th century, owned the Island Ranch and most of the Island District; Taylor Street was named for wealthy Nevada sheepman James G. Taylor. Allen Street was named after Lemuel Allen, a local rancher and Lt. Governor of Nevada (1903-1906). Richards Street was named after Jim Richards, who owned a store at the corner of what is now Williams Avenue and Maine Street. Richards sold the store and surrounding property to Warren Williams in the early years of the 20th century.
As the city grew, the Williams name followed the growth. Ada Street was named after Williams’ daughter, Ada Williams Keddie. Keddie Street for Art Keddie, Ada’s husband. Nadine Street was named for Nadine Hursh Domonoske, whose grandfather was Warren Williams, and Cora Street for Cora Williams Hursh, daughter of Warren Williams. Street names also honored others important to the region’s history and growth. Tedford Lane was named after Mayor Jack Tedford and Merton Lane for Mayor Merton Domonoske, whose mayoral status coincided with his Williams heritage, as he was also married to Nadine Hursh. Later in the 20th century, subdivision developers chose the street names for streets within their subdivision.
What’s your street name story? Send it to mackedon @phonewave.net. And don’t forget to send a postcard on any local subject to the same email address. I need your stories.
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