# Tolkien street names **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078 "2005-10-06T18:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/1 "2005-10-06T18:03:38Z")
While on my way to finding out something else online, I found a reference to a Dunedain Street in Hillsborough, New Jersey (just NE of Trenton). I checked [Mapquest.com](http://Mapquest.com) and found that Hillsborough is also home to Bywater Way, Rivendell Road, Lorien Place, and Buckland Drive. Anyone live on or near a street whose name is drawn from Tolkien, or know of any such? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/2 "2005-10-06T18:04:55Z")
I did NOT put in a hotlink to the phrase “something else” in my posting above. It automatically appeared - now that’s a little creepy. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/3 "2005-10-06T18:16:00Z")
Not a street, but there is a vegetarian housing co-op at U.C. Berkeley called Lothlorien Hall. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/4 "2005-10-06T18:43:30Z")
Up near Boone, NC I knew a lady who lived on Rivendell Road. I think that there are a few LOTR sites that have pics of Tolkienesque road signs. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/5 "2005-10-06T18:47:02Z")
And here’s the link to that site:[The Barrow-downs](http://www.barrowdowns.com/signs.php) I especially like being at the corner of Elendil and Evenstar. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/6 "2005-10-06T18:56:00Z")
I’ve been a huge Tolkien fan since I was 11. When I was 13 I got to go on a large Boat called the Galadriel for a trip around Manhattan. I thought this was the coolest thing. My First 10-speed was a Huffy **Strider**. I was at a Dude ranch and one white horse was called Shadowfax, I begged to ride him. (I don’t need to go into Led Zepplin being one of my favorite groups, do I?) They didn’t serve Lembas unfortunately. I’ve interviewed in Hillsborough, I take it these are minor developement roads? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/7 "2005-10-06T18:58:25Z")
> [@William V.](#): > > While on my way to finding out something else online, I found a reference to a Dunedain Street in Hillsborough Not all references to names **LOTR** are to the LOTR. Brandywine, for instance, is a town/area southwest of Philadelphia, and a common enough English name (though not, AFAIK, derived from Baraduin!). Pippin, of course, is the diminutive of Peregrin, a common Frankish name (for example, the son of Charlemagne). I’ll have to investigate the street names in SJ and UC Davis, as listed in the [barrowdowns.com](http://barrowdowns.com) link. I think the UC Davis stuff is a _bit_ over the top, but what the heck… When I first came to work in the Silicon Valley, I programmed minicomputers. In our shop, most of the computer names were LOTR: Shadowfax, Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/8 "2005-10-06T19:04:17Z")
There is a small subdivision in Baton Rouge called “The Shire” which features Michel Delving Road, Gamwich Road, Hobbiton Road, Tuckborough Road, Southland Court, and Shire Lane. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/9 "2005-10-06T19:21:16Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > There is a small subdivision in Baton Rouge called “The Shire” which features Michel Delving Road, Gamwich Road, Hobbiton Road, Tuckborough Road, Southland Court, and Shire Lane. Columbia Maryland is loaded with them [STREET NAMES HOBBIT’S GLEN and the street names come from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, an English author. This is the lone exception to the American author standard.](http://www.columbiamaryland.com/sharp.htm) [Here’s a map of the streets](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&location=oKUvXGx2U0Ts2vJ0DqMalFsy0dl6uHIbR5N1HVsoYuCzBeq%2bIqPIfudrLwkXu7ei7NOi1tFxcOvAYkWQp6AuRKbfqn75XMijuVEBmXUu7h0ylkK2HKVv4Cye%2bUA1dSeV4%2fC1HamnyA2ZfZFOH%2bMO8Q%3d%3d) ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/10 "2005-10-06T19:21:36Z")
[Here’s](http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=shadowfax&csz=san+jose%2Cca&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=) a neat section of San Jose, CA I came across one day. It’s got Bilbo Breen Brandywine Shadowfax Isengard Brandybuck Theoden and more. Dammit. Now I won’t be happy until I live in Isengard. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/11 "2005-10-06T19:31:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I did NOT put in a hotlink to the phrase “something else” in my posting above. It automatically appeared - now that’s a little creepy. None of the rest of us are seeing it. This is an effect of some varieties of scumware, to automatically stick links into webpages you see on your computer. Check the sticky in GQ for information on how to get rid of it, and prevent a re-infection. ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/12 "2005-10-06T19:31:40Z")
[South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, UK](http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Gandalf's+Ride&ll=51.640434,0.604506&spn=0.007198,0.014697&hl=en) I’ve linked to Gandalf’s Ride but there are loads more. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/13 "2005-10-06T20:09:08Z")
> [@633squadron](#): > > Not all references to names **LOTR** are to the LOTR. Brandywine, for instance, is a town/area southwest of Philadelphia, and a common enough English name (though not, AFAIK, derived from Baraduin!). Clustered around Philly are many names that come from Welsh and related languages. Considering that everybody pronounces the name of the township Gwynnedd as “Gwin-ud” rather than the proper “Gwyneth” (yes, just like the actress) and that Dauphin street is always said as “daw-fin” rather than “dough-fan”, it could well be that Brandywine was originally Branduin or something similar. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/14 "2005-10-06T20:32:24Z")
At the University of California at Irvine, one of the on-campus housing communities is caled Middle Earth. I found it one boring afternoon, while looking through a Thomas Guide. If you don’t object to opening a .pdf link, [here’s a map.](http://www.housing.uci.edu/documents/memap.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/15 "2005-10-07T05:16:15Z")
Fifteen years ago when this county went to a new addressing system, I was designated to name the road I live on, since nobody else lives down this long, winding, dirt road that ends in the Deep Woods. What else to name it but Rivendell Road, since it ends at the Last Homely House? (mine) I’m always surprised at the number of people that are ignorant of Tolkien, and ask me to repeat the address: “Riverdale?” When I reply,“NO! R-I-V-E-N-D-E-L-L” I get blank stares. Such is the world out there… ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/16 "2005-10-07T05:20:57Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > There is a small subdivision in Baton Rouge called “The Shire” which features Michel Delving Road, Gamwich Road, Hobbiton Road, Tuckborough Road, Southland Court, and Shire Lane. Heh, I came here to mention that. I lived on Michel Delving Road till I was seven years old. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/17 "2005-10-07T05:58:38Z")
There’s a very cool part of Davis (CA) known as “The Shire” which is more than just a development with Tolkien names. It’s an ecologically planned village-like section, with community gardens, narrower streets and more pathways, and a closer feel to the houses. [More information here](http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/eco_homes.html). [Google map of the area](http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&output=html&q=westernesse+rd+davis%2C+CA&btnG=Search) ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/18 "2005-10-07T06:18:09Z")
[hijack] I’ve been watching this thread for two days waiting for someone to make the obvious joke – and since no one has – it falls to me. Sam Gang G. Lil’ Frodo Paragon Murderin’ and Pimpin’ The Notorious B.I.L.B.O. Gandalf Tha WYTE (GRS-ONE) Dwarves Called Quest Golluminem L. Round Sourman [/hijack] You wanted “street” names… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/19 "2005-10-07T13:24:02Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > [hijack] > I’ve been watching this thread for two days > waiting for someone to make the obvious joke > – and since no one has – it falls to me. > …snip… > You wanted “street” names… I’ll be the first to register a large **GROAN**!!! ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078/20 "2005-10-07T21:15:40Z")
**jrfranchi.** Hey, I was amused. I was particularly proud of\* Murderin’ \* and _Pimpin’._ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-street-names/325078.md?page=2)