Edinburgh Avenue was named in 1923, but only on the small bit south of 3rd Street. From 3rd up to Rosewood it was called Society Avenue. North of Rosewood it was Donald Avenue. In 1923, folks living on Society petitioned for it to be changed to Donald, claiming the old name made them “open to ridicule” – although Society Avenue sure sounds less ridiculous than Donald Avenue, if you ask me. Anyway, the whole shebang was changed to Edinburgh in 1925. As for the inspiration behind the street name, I’ve got nothing. Edinburgh’s original tract was owned by a trust company run by banker Leo S. Chandler, who had no ties to Scotland. But Scottish place names, with their noble yet rugged appeal, have long been borrowed by Los Angeles streets… and you can’t get more Scottish than Edinburgh.
Find it on the map:
