# In what other cities (than NYC) are we expected to know which streets matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847 "2006-08-08T12:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/41 "2006-08-09T04:02:25Z")
[QUOTE=GLWasteful] I’m a little surprised that you’ve never been there. Again, it’s a less-than-stellar park, but damn, it’s also the only place in KC that people elsewhere know about\*. \*Exception being Bob Berdella’s house, but it’s been gone for some time. [/QUOTE] I never went to go to Big Bob’s house of horrors (and every time I hear that commercial for “Big Bob’s Used Carpet”, I remember…). I did visit his shop in Westport very long ago, when he was as of yet unarrested and just your ordinary everyday sado-masochistic vivisectioning cannibalistic necro-hebephile breathplay and capture specialist who performed medical experiments on the unwilling…he reminded me of the later character of Comic Store Guy on the Simpsons. Regarding the park - I spend very, very little time North of Westport in KC. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/42 "2006-08-09T05:22:52Z")
Everybody probably knows the streets in [Atlantic City](http://www.hasbro.com/monopoly/). At least they used to, now with all these ‘special editions’, people don’t know the classics. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/43 "2006-08-09T05:25:27Z")
I have a question about London or maybe it is the UK in general but I read references to ‘the high street’ frequently. What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/44 "2006-08-09T08:26:01Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] I have a question about London or maybe it is the UK in general but I read references to ‘the high street’ frequently. What’s up with that? [/QUOTE] In geographical terms, you can pretty much equate it to ‘Main Street’. Many towns either have a road named ‘High Street’, or a central one which is not named this, but nonetheless is referred to as such. London has many roads named things like ‘Kensington High Street’. As a metaphor, ‘the high street’ is used to indicate trends in consumer spending, as an economic indicator, or to mean availability to the general public. Headlines from Google News with a search for ‘the high street’: _Solar panels hit the high street_…_World Cup fever gives June boost to the high street_…_High street faces ‘sharp downturn’_ ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/45 "2006-08-09T08:55:34Z")
I’d say there are no famous streets in Honolulu that a non-local would know. I don’t even know what street I’d assign as a ritzy one. ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/46 "2006-08-09T09:00:55Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] In geographical terms, you can pretty much equate it to ‘Main Street’. Many towns either have a road named ‘High Street’, or a central one which is not named this, but nonetheless is referred to as such. London has many roads named things like ‘Kensington High Street’. [/QUOTE] Historically, these streets were “high streets” because the main roadways were built up above the level of the surrounding land, to prevent them getting too boggy in wet weather (no tarmac in those days, of course). ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/47 "2006-08-09T10:40:39Z")
[QUOTE=Alive At Both Ends] Historically, these streets were “high streets” because the main roadways were built up above the level of the surrounding land, to prevent them getting too boggy in wet weather (no tarmac in those days, of course). [/QUOTE] Googling the etymology of this suggests this isn’t the case, but that the use comes from ‘high’ meaning prominent or significant. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/48 "2006-08-09T11:57:19Z")
In Detroit, 8 Mile Road is somewhat well known due to that movie Eminem made. It’s Detroit’s northern border, and it’s come to symbolize the animosity that exists between Detroit and it’s suburbs. It’s also known for the series of nudie bars that have been built along it. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/49 "2006-08-09T12:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Some street names aren’t famous world-wide or country-widem, but if you live in the city for a while become obvious. In Boston Comm Ave. and Newbury Street and Trement Street and Charles Street all convey particular areas and associations. [/QUOTE] Quick Boston primer: \*\*Beacon st., \*\*, **Commonwealth** (aka “Comm”) Ave., **Tremont** St., and **Massachusetts** (aka “Mass”) Ave. are all main thoroughfares which, at certain times, skirt around downtown. It’s when you follow any of them out of downtown that they have their own flavors: Beacon = rich yuppies Comm = student ghetto, particularly B.U. Tremont and Mass = both are main thoroughfares through the now-gentrified South End, which used to be considered “the inner city” along with Roxbury. Maybe it’s still considered such. It’s been awhile since I’ve been down that way. **Charles** St. is the lower end of Beacon Hill. Traditionally it’s always been The Original Preppy Haven, but nowadays one only lives there if s/he’s a multimillionaire. \*\*Newbury[/b St. is the place to shop, eat, get your hair, done, etc., if you live on Beacon or its surrounding streets. Many designer boutiques. Mucho $. When I was kid it was primarily the “business area” because my dad’s office was there, over a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/50 "2006-08-09T12:41:19Z")
If people know anything about Edinburgh, they probably know about **Princes Street** (shops on one side, gardens and castle on the other) and the **Royal Mile** (also called **The High Street** ), the main tourist draw which runs down a ridge from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/51 "2006-08-09T13:18:54Z")
[QUOTE=ftg] No mention yet of “4th street and D”? [/QUOTE] Why, that’s Capital City, of course. Tony Bennett’s home sweet swingin’ home! ---
**Author:** ![rainwalker78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rainwalker78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainwalker78)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/52 "2006-08-09T13:51:50Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] It’s been a while since I was actually on Demonbreun, but as best I can recall it was something to do with the funky bridge over the interstate. Seems it was bad enough they were going to spend a season or two fixing it. [/QUOTE] I used to work in the Federal Courthouser building, a couple of years ago. Then, a few weeks a go, I was going to the Frist Center and there is this huge sign in the way. WTF? [QUOTE=Zeldar] Ever hear it pronounced any way than D’mumbrun? (Or does that have too many letters?) [/QUOTE] Seems like it is supposed to be pronounced pretty close to that. Maybe D’mumbrian? When I first moved here from California, I heard it pronounced “Demon Brewin” and so pronounced it that way all through high school. I think I learned the right way my 1st year in College. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/53 "2006-08-09T15:43:03Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] Do I hear a whoosh? [/QUOTE] Just a small one. But the idea that SoHo (which comes from a fox hunting cry, and became the name of a part of London which now has some very differnt types of foxy people. Was exported as a name always seems crazy to me. ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/54 "2006-08-09T15:46:52Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] Googling the etymology of this suggests this isn’t the case, but that the use comes from ‘high’ meaning prominent or significant. [/QUOTE] Oh well, that’s what I was taught in school, and I’m sure I’ve read it somewhere as well, but I can’t find an online cite either. So probably I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/55 "2006-08-09T15:54:57Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] I’m certain the only streets in this metro area (Kansas City) that anyone would ever know of outside of here would be “12th Street and Vine”, from the song “Kansas City”. [/QUOTE] A few blocks up we have 18th and Vine, which is a fairly famous jazz spot. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/56 "2006-08-09T16:03:35Z")
[QUOTE=Diceman] In Detroit, 8 Mile Road is somewhat well known due to that movie Eminem made. It’s Detroit’s northern border, and it’s come to symbolize the animosity that exists between Detroit and it’s suburbs. It’s also known for the series of nudie bars that have been built along it. [/QUOTE] Dang you beat me to it. Crossing 8 Mile has always meant “you’re in Detroit, dude”. There’s also Woodward, forever the great divisor of West and East in Detroit. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/57 "2006-08-09T16:17:08Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] I never went to go to Big Bob’s house of horrors (and every time I hear that commercial for “Big Bob’s Used Carpet”, I remember…). I did visit his shop in Westport very long ago, when he was as of yet unarrested and just your ordinary everyday sado-masochistic vivisectioning cannibalistic necro-hebephile breathplay and capture specialist who performed medical experiments on the unwilling…he reminded me of the later character of Comic Store Guy on the Simpsons. Regarding the park - I spend very, very little time North of Westport in KC. [/QUOTE] Heh. I, too, occasionally shopped at Bob’s Bazaar Bizarre. Bought an earring there, as a matter of fact. After the arrest and assorted weirdness, I wondered whose fillings he melted down to create it. Gotta find that earring. And a friend lived a block away, while an acquaintance lived next door. And nobody could say, “He seemed so normal,” because absolutely nobody seemed normal who lived on Charlotte St. [QUOTE=SkipMagic] A few blocks up we have 18th and Vine, which is a fairly famous jazz spot. [/QUOTE] Alas, the area hasn’t done as well as I hoped it would. Crapload of money poured into it, fixed it up real purty like, Bryant’s nearby for those who desire death-by-sandwich, and it’s still struggling. Maybe I’ll stop by the museums this weekend and do my part. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/58 "2006-08-09T18:50:22Z")
[QUOTE=Diceman] In Detroit, 8 Mile Road is somewhat well known due to that movie Eminem made. It’s Detroit’s northern border, and it’s come to symbolize the animosity that exists between Detroit and it’s suburbs. It’s also known for the series of nudie bars that have been built along it. [/QUOTE] I was also going to post this. As a teenager, my parents never wanted me to drive along Eight Mile, even if it was shorter, because of the bad reputation it had. I’ve driven it a few times. It really does have tons of sex shops/strip joints on it. The funny thing is Nine Mile and Seven Mile don’t seem to have any of that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/59 "2006-08-10T01:51:37Z")
In Texas, I’d say there are very few famous streets. The most famous would be in Dallas, Houston and Elm which of course forms two of the borders of Dealey Plaza and is the intersection on which the Texas School Book Depository sits. In Austin, there is of course 6th Street (party street) and Congress, which runs N/S through downtown and connects the University of Texas to the Capitol. Not that there is that much cross-talk. Houston is too vast for such trivialities as streets. Probably the most famous is the intersection of I610 (“The Loop”) and US59, in the west Houston Galleria Area which always ranks in the top 3 busiest intersections. 2 miles north is the 610/I10 intersection which is nearly as busy. So the whole West Loop is always a nightmare. In terms of streets, the most famous are probably Westheimer (intersects the Loop right there) and Telephone Road in SE Houston (Steve Earle wrote a song about it). Houston is a bit more famous for its outlying suburbs, namely Clear Lake (where NASA JSC is) and Sugarland (home of Tom Delay). I’m now in Baltimore. Probably the most famous street here is Joppa Road. Maybe I say that because I’m a Ween fan. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847/60 "2006-08-10T02:15:09Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] Who knows where these are: Peachtree? Kingston Pike? Beale Street? Bush Boulevard? [/QUOTE] **Peachtree** is in Atlanta (FEMA Region IV used to have offices on Peachtree) and **Beale** is in Memphis. What do I win? Also, for a bit of local trivia, only a couple of streets in Jackson (Miss) come to mind so far. One is **Mill Street** , known for its ‘ladies of the evening’ and the other is **Pearl Street** , where all of the attorneys used to have offices (I’m gonna hire me a Pearl Street lawyer). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-other-cities-than-nyc-are-we-expected-to-know-which-streets-matter/367847.md?page=4)