Named for its proximity to the Baldwin Hills, which owe their own name to Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin (1828-1909), who had once owned the land. Baldwin Avenue was originally dubbed Jefferson Avenue in 1912 on the Washington Park subdivision; it was one of several streets named in honor of U.S. presidents, along with Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, and Van Buren. (See Braddock Drive for more on Washington Park and its streets.) It was changed to Baldwin Avenue in 1940 to prevent further confusion with nearby Jefferson Boulevard. As a side note, Lucky Baldwin’s daughter Anita had passed away in 1939. That may or may not have inspired city leaders to choose “Baldwin” as the avenue’s new name.
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