Hello Friday. April 19 2024 
What’s in a name? When it comes to how Richmond’s streets got their names, the answer is a lot of history. Reader Jennifer P. reached out to ask us about the stories behind some street namesakes, and we discovered a lot.
William Byrd II, considered the founder of Richmond, completed the first survey of the city for its colonial inhabitants in 1737. This was even before King George II had granted a Town Charter for the land — that happened in 1742. 
A map of the City of Richmond in 1864. | Image via Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division The city was a fraction of its current geographic size, bordered by what’s now Broad Street to the north and the river to the south + stretching from what are now 17th to 25th Streets from west to east. North-south streets were numbered first through ninth and east-west streets were lettered alphabetically.
When Richmond became the state capital in 1780, city leaders used alliteration to give east-west streets new names: A street became “Arch Street,” B Street became “Byrd Street,” and so on.
A postcard of Cary St., postmarked 1911. | Image via VCU Libraries Digital Collections Cary Street used to be D Street, then Dover Plank Road. The name Cary comes from Colonel Archibald Cary, a Virginian who served in the House of Burgesses — the legislative body of the colony — from 1756-1776. Main Street was E Street, then Elm Street, but it became Main because it was the main thoroughfare of the town.
Foushee Street is named for Richmond’s first mayor, William Foushee. He was a surgeon in the American Revolution and served as mayor from July 1782-June 1783. He was also appointed to be the city’s postmaster by President Thomas Jefferson — a position he kept for the last 16 years of his life.
We aren’t done yet — click the button below to read the full story + learn the origins of several other major streets.
One involves notches in trees — can you guess what we’re getting at?
QUIZ
How "broad" was Broad Street when it got its name? Here's a hint: According to the National Register of Historic Places, it’s almost double the width of a typical Richmond street.
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The VMFA has a new video installation in its galleries. “...three kings weep…” by artist Ebony G. Patterson features floor-to-ceiling screens + combines film visuals with a recitation of the poem “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay.
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Editor's Pick: In Friday's superhero-centric poll, nearly half of respondents wanted Wonder Woman protecting Richmond. 34% opted for Black Panther, 12% wanted Captain America, and 6% said Sailor Moon. We're putting out a call to Themyscira now. ⭐️
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