Barry Avenue started out as 10th Street when Sawtelle was still its own city. It was renamed in 1917 to honor Patrick H. Barry (1844-1920), then-governor of “Soldiers’ Home” (today’s VA campus). Barry was born in County Cork, Ireland and was only four when his family fled their famine-stricken country for Boston. At 17, he enlisted in the American Civil War, joining the Union Army’s famous “Irish Brigade”. Wounded in the ankle at 1863’s Battle of Antietam, Barry was discharged – only to re-enlist months later. He then lost his right arm during the 1864 Siege of Petersburg and that was that. Barry returned to Boston and married Irish belle Mary Monahan (1840-1907). The couple, who eventually had five sons, moved to Nebraska in 1880 to live the pioneer life. In 1895, Barry was named adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard, which led to a career helping disabled veterans. He came to L.A. in 1913 upon being appointed governor of Soldiers’ Home, a post he held until his death.
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