Source:Virgin-alley-unchangeable
"Virgin alley unchangeable: Telegrams of protest pouring in upon H. W. Oliver at Palm Beach: Change deemed vandalism: Examples of other cities preserving historic names cited in profusion: Alley no disgrace as term." Pittsburg Post, Mar. 4, 1903, p. 2. Newspapers.com 86376989.
Well directed efforts are now being concentrated against the proposition to change the name of Virgin alley to Virginia street. Something akin to the spirit aroused by the design of destroying "Old Ironsides," when Holmes sang the thrilling protest: "Ay Tear Her Tattered Ensign Down!" animates especially scions of old families in Pittsburg, but even other classes and those not intimately associated with the fascinating colonial annals agree that it is vandalism to yield to modern caprice. Telegrams have been sent to Henry W. Oliver, who is accepted as the proponent of the new name, when the thoroughfare is widened. He has doubtless received ere this evidence that his fellow citizens decidedly object to the unnecessary change. Among those sent yesterday to him in his winter retreat at Palm Beach, Fla., were:
"Trinity's 150 feet protest against change of name of Virgin alley.
"W. G. M'CANDLESS."
"London holds her old names on streets. Why not Pittsburg, Virgin alley?
W. K. M'MULLIN.
Trinity's 150 feet, alludes, of course, to the holdings of the Trinity parish.
Bank Enters Protest.
The Farmers National bank owns 60 feet, and it also enters protests. The argument sufficiently suggested by Mr. McMullin could be extended so far as London is concerned. Peculiar reverence for historic landmarks has always been shown in the ancient metropolis. Scarcely one historic event is chronicled that has not been embalmed in street nomenclature. Fleet, in which are enshrined memories of authorship when a pittance was the return of genius. Piccadilly, The Strand, The Haymarket, in fact, a history of London can be based upon merely enlarging upon the events recalled by her streets. In New York the vestiges of Dutch residence are sacredly preserved, and in the curious narrow network around Wall street and the Bowling Green center some of the most hallowed traditions dear to Dutch and British descendants and equally precious to the typical New Yorker without Knickerbocker ancestry.
The citizens here have been discussing the mooted change for several days and the opposition is crystalizing rapidly. They recall that already enough street names have been altered either to gratify some modern pride, or in a spirit of unconscious ignorance, or irreverence for the annals of the pioneer city. The series that rescued from forgetfulness the soldiers of General John Forbes has been ruthlessly touched. Jumonville, and Forbes remain and Gist, the recording Christopher; Shingiss, the Indian chief, have escaped the iconoclastic work. But Hand, Wayne, Irwin, St. Clair, Hay, Marbury, have fallen beneath the carvers of new names.
Remembrances in Allegheny.
In Allegheny old remembrances have fared better. The battles of the Mexican war are given imperishable tablets by being attached to streets, all in the same section. Buena Vista, Resaca, Palo Alto, Monterey, Taylor and Jackson, summon back to all a period of which no American need feel shame.
It is suggested that the Daughters of the Revolution should take a hand against the proposed sacrilege, as they have already shown their ability to make a stand against the removal of landmarks.
The facts that could be mustered along the same line would make a book on street names. The feeling of the Pittsburgers interested is that Virgin alley should not be altered even by changing alley into avenue or street, and by no means making the new term Virginia street. Virgin alley is well known to have been the "allee" of the French at the old fort along which they traveled to their devotions to the Virgin. It has no relation to Virginia, named for Queen Elizabeth. The protesting citizens see no incongruity, but rather an attractive oddity, in having Virgin alley preserved to designate a wide thoroughfare.
It will be yet an allee, a way of going and coming, and avenue, also French, means nothing more aristocratic. In fact Rotten Row is a most fashionable thoroughfare in London, and its origin was also from the French—route du roi—the route of the king, for once royalty proceeded exclusively along its way.
And then it is recorded that Virgin alley was once a residence street and people threw their ashes over into what is now Fifth avenue.