The Odd History of the 'burg's Street Names

I hadn't seen any documentation in the History of Ogdensburg Facebook group regarding the history of Ogdensburg street names. It was easy to guess that Ford St was named after Nathan Ford or Albany Ave was named after a highly dysfunctional socialist capital of a state. But what about the rest?

I, your intrepid columnist and part-time historian, delved into the deeper micro-fishes of the Ogdensburg Journal to come up with some answers. You’re welcome.

Caroline St: Little known fact, but the famous musician, Neil Diamond was born and raised on what was then called “Dire Straits St”, but memories of his wonderful times in the ‘burg were reflected in his mega-hit “Sweet Caroline”, and thus back in the early seventies, the street was renamed Caroline St. The bridge of that song which is “Hands, Touchin' hands, Reachin' out, Touching me, touchin' you” was a reference to a frisky housewife, whose name was Caroline, in the neighborhood.

Fine St: Apparently, a home for frustrated women was one located on this unnamed street. Women were sent here by their fed-up husbands in the late 1800s. Rumor has it that when the frustrated ladies were told the reasons their husbands sent them to this boarding house, most replied “Fine!”, which someone found too recurring to be a coincidence, hence the name.

Hasbrouck St: Settled by German families in the 1920s, this street was formerly called Glass St. One bad winter, one of the water mains running down the street had broken, spewing water several feet high onto the street, freezing the road. It’s said one German Immigrant, a Mr Holtzen Fromfloppin (who later invented the bra), saw the broken pipe and exclaimed “Has broke!” pointing to the pipe. The occurrence was so profound, and the invention the man would make so amazing, the name was changed in his honor.

Harrison Ave: Legend has it that an unfortunate occurrence was the basis of the name of this street. Seems a couple of neighbors were talking on the yet-to-be-named street, about the appearance of the child of another close neighbor. The man had said, “My, she has a hairy son…but then again some men are that way.” The neighbor lady he was speaking with said, “Sir, that is a daughter!” stifling a laugh. Word got around, and “hairy son” avenue, became Harrison Ave to spare the child from further taunting.

Crescent St. One would think that this street, an arc that follows around the Oswegatchie in the city, was named for its crescent shape. While it’s true the shape is crescent, the actual reason is more interesting. Madame Boulangerie was an immigrant from Montreal; her husband had moved to the ‘burg to get work. Apparently, she was quite the baker, and was quite well-known for her croissants, having a recipe from French Canada. The story goes that one day she put her freshly baked croissants out to cool on an open window sill, and a bunch of crows came and took them, but didn’t get far with them, as they were too large and heavy, and dropped them all along the former River St. There were dozens of croissants - crescents - littering the street. Back then, people largely got around on foot, if not horse, and noticed all the croissants lying all around, which of course was quite odd. Between Mrs. Madame Boulangerie famous croissants and the aerial bombardment of them, the name Crescent St stuck.