Source:Overbrooks-swan-song
"Overbrook's swan song names streets for bosses: Last meeting of council before joining Pittsburgh honors favorite sons; drop Harding's name for local politician." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 20, 1929, pp. 1, 6. Newspapers.com 89866081, 89866093.
Overbrook council, at a rousing meeting last night, one of the last it will hold as the borough comes into the city on the new year, was unanimous upon one point: That the traditions of the borough must be perpetuated, in spite of mail carriers. And so, without a dissenting vote, it changed the names of a large number of the borough streets, re-naming them for councilmen, former councilmen, ministers, political leaders, borough officials, the burgess, and even Mayor Charles H. Kline, as a fitting token of its respect to its new chieftain.
Overbrook council might have changed the names of more streets, but it ran out of politicians.
There was but one hitch. In glancing over its roster, Overbrook council discovered, somewhat aghast, that it had both a burgess and a councilman named Meier. Here was a dilemma that might have been dismaying to a less versatile council, but to Overbrook council was not a whit.
The erstwhile Harding boulevard, named for the former President, was changed to Meier boulevard for E. P. Meier of council; while Overbrook boulevard was rechristened Ernest boulevard, for the esteemed burgess, Ernest E. Meier. So the delicate problem was solved.
As a tactful deference to its new political leader, Ridge avenue was changed to Kline avenue, for Mayor Charles H. Kline.
Favorite Sons Honored.
Oak Road was renamed Herring boulevard, for J. R. Herring, president of council.
Frederick street was re-named Rohm avenue, for Bruce Rohm, councilman.
Robertson avenue was re-named Jewell avenue, for C. D. Jewell, councilman.
Fairview avenue was re-named Zoller drive, for Harry Zoller, councilman.
Jacob street was made McGovern street, for Borough Engineer T. J. McGovern.
Horning avenue was re-named St. Mader avenue, for Father John Mader of St. Norbert Catholic Church.
Lodge avenue was re-named Brown avenue, for Rev. J. I. Brown of the Methodist Protestant Church.
Mullooly street was changed to Bauer avenue, for Joseph Bauer, former councilman.
Hampden avenue and Franklin street, which join, were turned into Champion avenue, for Charles Champion, former councilman.
Changes Are Unanimous.
Freeport avenue will be Golden avenue, for Clyde Golden, former councilman.
Tariff street was renamed Glaneman avenue, for Henry Glaneman, former councilman.
Home avenue was renamed Luffy avenue, for Jacob Luffy, former school director.
Grandview avenue will be Friday avenue, after Philip Friday, road commissioner.
Briggs street will be Laughlin boulevard for John E. Laughlin, borough solicitor.
Shannon avenue was re-named Sehm avenue, for J. Sehm, councilman.
Main street will be Criswell avenue for J. Homer Criswell, Overbrook political leader.
The roll call was unanimous.
