We know this was named for Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) because a 1910 map of Santa Monica shows it as part of a trio of presidential avenues, along with Lincoln and Garfield. This was a small tract west of 8th Street. Where’s 8th Street, you say? Why, it’s called Lincoln Boulevard now. As such, Lincoln Avenue had to become part of Bay Street to avoid confusion. That makes perfect sense. But whereas Garfield Avenue got coopted by Pacific Street, presumably so as not to conflict with Garfield Avenue down in Venice, we still have Grant… even though there’s a Grant Avenue in Venice as well! True, Santa Monica’s Grant had to change its “Avenue” to a “Street”, but it’s still a mystery as to why it got to stay while Garfield had to leave.
Find it on the map:
