Welcome to L.A. Street Names, the origin stories of street names across Los Angeles County, from the shortest cul-de-sacs to the longest boulevards. Mysteries solved, myths debunked, scandals exposed, history revealed. This is an ongoing project with more than 2,100 streets – and growing. See FAQ for more information.

Featured Major Street

Shamrock Avenue

Duarte, Monrovia
E.F. Spence's Monrovia mansion, not on Shamrock but on Prospect; demolished in 1920

A 1911 article in the Monrovia Daily News stated that Shamrock Avenue was named by Monrovia cofounder E.F. Spence because he “had a liking for things Irish”. True? Well, I can tell you that Edward Fallis Spence (1832-1892) definitely cofounded Monrovia in 1885, Shamrock Avenue was definitely named in 1886, and Spence was definitely Irish: he was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, (Northern) Ireland. So I’ll buy it. Spence wasn’t just any old Irishman, by the way – he was mayor of Los Angeles at the time! (See Spence Street in Boyle Heights for more.) Spence soon built a country home on Monrovia’s Prospect Avenue; after his death, his widow Anna (1851-1937) apparently lived in “The Oaks” mansion before settling into her forever home on South Primrose in 1907. Several other Spences also lived in Monrovia, including Edward’s brother John and various nieces and nephews.

Featured Offbeat Street

Kittyhawk Avenue

Westchester
The Wright Bros. at Kill Devil Hills, 1903

Named after Kitty Hawk, NC, where the Wright Brothers – Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville (1871-1948) – built the first successful powered airplane, which launched on December 17th, 1903. The plane was the Wright Flyer and Orville was at the controls. (Wilbur had unsuccessfully piloted it earlier that morning after the brothers tossed a coin to see who would go first.) The actual flight was at Kill Devil Hills, four miles south of Kitty Hawk. Both are located on the sandy island chain known as the Outer Banks. While the name “Kill Devil” comes from a strong rum delivered to the Outer Banks long ago, the original meaning of “Kitty Hawk” is less clear. Most agree that it’s rooted in an Algonquin language; it’s written as “Chickahauk” in a 1738 map. Theories that it stems from Native Americans telling white settlers that they would go to the island to hunt geese – “killy honk” – are dubious at best.