I can tell you that Grant refers to President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) because an 1887 map of the East Santa Monica tract, owned by Ransom A. Crippen, revealed that it was part of a trio of presidential avenues, along with Lincoln and Garfield, east of 8th Street. (Like Mr. Crippen, all three presidents were Republicans.) Where’s 8th Street, you ask? 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 was merged into Pacific Street, presumably so as not to conflict with a different 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:
