Source:Record-dont-suit
"Record don't suit: Name of Paisley avenue to be changed by councils: Citizens circulating a petition calling for another title, but it will not be necessary—popular appellations for new streets." Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, Apr. 20, 1900, p. 7. Newspapers.com 85592133.
Designs to perpetuate the names of public men often meet with a rebuff when something occurs during the life of the one whose name it was intended to have live with the municipality. A petition is being circulated among those living near Paisley avenue asking councils to change the name of that thoroughfare. It is a part of the Beechwood boulevard system, and bids fair to become one of the most beautiful streets of the city. It was named in honor of Samuel T. Paisley, late superintendent of highways and sewers. His withdrawal from the bureaus under a cloud is said to be the cause of the demand for a change. The petition need not be presented, as it has been decided to change the name of the street along with a large number of others. An ordinance is now being prepared providing for the changes and the christening of new streets which have been created by recent local legislation. Just what Paisley avenue is to be called has not yet been given out.
In all there are to be 74 changes in names. As a coincidence many of the new names are suggested by wars, local events in the theatrical world, characters in some of the plays that have been produced in Pittsburgh during the past season which have been popular and unpopular, according to taste, and even some of the stars taking a prominent part in the productions of grand opera just finished.
There are 35 new streets, caused by vacations and additions. They are nearly all in the Twenty-second and Twenty-third wards. The name of Graphic street is to be changed to Pretoria street, in honor of the Boer capital. A new street along the side of a hill will be baptized Spionkop, the name itself being suggestive. The name of Zaza is applied to an alley. It is presumed that from some of the comments on the play when it was produced here it was not thought safe to give the name to a street. But the alley had to have a name, and it got it. Nordica will be another new one. It is in honor of one of the stars at the last performance of grand opera for the season of 1900. Lygia, a character from "Quo Vadis," and Mercia, from "The Sign of the Cross," are two fitting appellations for new thoroughfares. Fedora street is another new name. Then there is Oyer alley and Quartz alley. It will take several days to complete the roster which will be announced and acted upon at the next meeting of councils.