New-York tribune., 1902-01-21
PRESERVING GOOD OLD NAMES.

One OF the "unconsidered trfes" OF the new
charter OF this city, worthy OF much considera-
ton and commendation, is the way IN which II
revives, restores and, we may hope perpetuates
the good old local names of the metropolis,
which in the last generation or two have been
partly perverted from their true application and
partly forgotten-merged In the engulfng gen.
eralization of NewYOrk These names belong
to history. They are themselves history. They
deserve perpetuation, and their perpetuation is
necessary TO the right remembrance of the orr
gin and development of the metropolis just as
is the perpetuation of such names as Westmin-
ster Greenwich and Lambeth, in London, and
the Cite, BeIeville and Montmartre, in Paris.
The Local Improvement Districts" will in
various other ways be of benefit to the city. In
restoring the good old neighbOrhood names they
will perform unique service.
The names of Bowling Green and the Bowery
have been in no danger of being forgotten. But
Corlears, Greenwich, Chelsea and Hudson have
long been names and nothing more to far too
many people of this city. 1t is to be doubted If
a 1.-THE of New Workers of the present genera
ton could offhand define Kips Bay. Even
important YOrkvile has in late years been
largely ignored. Murray Hill has held its own
better than most other local Names though 1t,
too, has suffered some forgetfulness. On the
other hand, Harlem has been unduly magnfed
and exploited, having been appied-of course
most improperly-to all Manhattan Island north
of Central Park, and even to some territory
beyond the Harlem River. The new charter
does we'll in reminding us that Harlem is merely
a small district on the East Side between York
Vile and the Harlem River. The general name
of Riverside is given to the upper West Side
which is not historic name, though an appro-
which thon
other name Of local and historic significance
This latter is also true of Washington Heights.
the name given to the upper end of the island
above One-hundred-and-te tenth and One-hundred-
and-twentieth sts The good old names of
Boomingdale, Carmansyille, Inwood, ETC.. must
therefore look TO other means for perpetuaton
The same is to be said of The Bronx where
Morrisana and Chester cover a score Of fine
local names which we would not willingly have
forgotten. The other boroughs are scarcely as
rich in names of historic significance But II Is
pleasant TO see such names as The Heights
Red Hook, Bay Ridge, Bedford Elatbush. Bush
wick and Williamsburg officially perpetuated.
1t will be well to continue this good work of
preserving historic names in every appropriate
way. The arthmetical system OF street nomen-
clature in the central portion of the Borough of
Manhattan will doubtless always be retained
though its further extension is unlikely So
too. will the numerical names of elevated rail
road stations in this borough be retained and
the same system may be largely applied to the
rapid transit subway. But it would be thou
sand pities for the steam railroads ever to aban-
don such station names as Mott Haven, Kings
bridge, Fordham, West Chester, Barlow and
the like We have already referred to the de-
STABILITY of calling the new East River bridges
Nos. 2. and 4. respectively the Williamsburg.
Ravenswood and Bowery bridges The same