Streets named after Martin Luther King, Jr., can be found in many cities of the United States and in nearly every major metropolis. There are also a number of other countries that have honored King, including Italy and Israel. The number of streets named after King is increasing every year, and about 70% of these streets are in Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas. King's home state of Georgia had the most, with 75 streets as of 2001;[1] this had increased to 105 as of 2006.[2]
As of 2003, there were over 600 American cities that had named a street after King.[1] By 2004, this number had grown to 650, according to NPR.[3] In 2006, Derek Alderman, a cultural geographer at East Carolina University, reported the number had increased to 730, with only 11 states in the country without a street named after King.[2]
The following is a list of streets named after Martin Luther King, Jr., in the United States.
Contents
- 1 Akron, Ohio
- 2 Albuquerque, New Mexico
- 3 Alice, Texas
- 4 Allentown, Pennsylvania
- 5 Amory, Mississippi
- 6 Asheboro, North Carolina
- 7 Asheville, North Carolina
- 8 Anderson, South Carolina
- 9 Atlanta, Georgia
- 10 Atlantic City, New Jersey
- 11 Augusta, Georgia
- 12 Austin, Texas
- 13 Ayden, North Carolina
- 14 Baltimore, Maryland
- 15 Beaumont, Texas
- 16 Benton Harbor, Michigan
- 17 Berkeley, California
- 18 Boston, Massachusetts
- 19 Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia
- 20 Camden, New Jersey
- 21 Charlotte, North Carolina
- 22 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- 23 Charles Town, West Virginia
- 24 Chicago, Illinois
- 25 Cincinnati, Ohio
- 26 Cleveland, Mississippi
- 27 Cleveland, Ohio
- 28 Cleveland, Texas
- 29 Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 30 Columbus, Ohio
- 31 Dallas, Texas
- 32 Davisboro, Georgia
- 33 Dayton, Ohio
- 34 Denver, Colorado
- 35 Des Moines, Iowa
- 36 Detroit, Michigan
- 37 Dover, Delaware
- 38 Durham, North Carolina
- 39 East St. Louis, Illinois
- 40 Edenton, North Carolina
- 41 Elgin, Illinois
- 42 Elkhart, Indiana
- 43 Evansville, Indiana
- 44 Fair Bluff, North Carolina
- 45 Farmerville, Louisiana
- 46 Fayetteville, Arkansas
- 47 Fayetteville, North Carolina
- 48 Flint, Michigan
- 49 Forrest City, Arkansas
- 50 Fort Myers, Florida
- 51 Fort Worth, Texas
- 52 Frankfort, Kentucky
- 53 Galveston, Texas
- 54 Gary, Indiana
- 55 Giddings, Texas
- 56 Greensboro, North Carolina
- 57 Greenville, South Carolina
- 58 Gresham, South Carolina
- 59 Harrisonburg, Virginia
- 60 Hayward, California
- 61 Hempstead, New York
- 62 Houston, Texas
- 63 Homer, Louisiana
- 64 Hopkinsville, Kentucky
- 65 Indianapolis, Indiana
- 66 Ithaca, New York
- 67 Jackson, Mississippi
- 68 Jackson, Tennessee
- 69 Jacksonville, Florida
- 70 Jersey City, New Jersey
- 71 Kenosha, Wisconsin
- 72 Kensett, Arkansas
- 73 Kinloch, Missouri
- 74 Knoxville, Tennessee
- 75 Lansing, Michigan
- 76 Las Vegas area, Nevada
- 77 Lebanon, Kentucky
- 78 Lexington, Georgia
- 79 Lexington, Kentucky
- 80 Lexington, Mississippi
- 81 Lexington, North Carolina
- 82 Little Rock, Arkansas
- 83 Los Angeles, California
- 84 Louisa, Virginia
- 85 Louisville, Kentucky
- 86 Lubbock, Texas
- 87 Madison, Wisconsin
- 88 Maxton, North Carolina
- 89 Memphis, Tennessee
- 90 Miami area, Florida
- 91 Michigan City, Indiana
- 92 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- 93 Minden, Louisiana
- 94 Mobile, Alabama
- 95 Morristown, New Jersey
- 96 Morristown, Tennessee
- 97 New Bern, North Carolina
- 98 New Haven, Connecticut
- 99 New Market, Tennessee
- 100 New Orleans, Louisiana
- 101 New York, New York
- 102 Newark, New Jersey
- 103 Newburgh, New York
- 104 North Shreveport, Louisiana
- 105 Norwalk, Connecticut
- 106 Oakland and Berkeley, California
- 107 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- 108 Paducah, Kentucky
- 109 Panama City, Florida
- 110 Pawley's Island, South Carolina
- 111 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 112 Pinetops, North Carolina
- 113 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 114 Pontiac, Michigan
- 115 Port St. Joe, Florida
- 116 Princeton, West Virginia
- 117 Portage, Michigan
- 118 Portland, Oregon
- 119 Prince George's County, Maryland
- 120 Raleigh, North Carolina
- 121 Reno, Nevada
- 122 Riverside, California
- 123 Rolling Fork, Mississippi
- 124 Rowland, North Carolina
- 125 Sacramento, California
- 126 Saint Paul, Minnesota
- 127 Saint Petersburg, Florida
- 128 Salt Lake City, Utah
- 129 San Antonio, Texas
- 130 San Diego, California
- 131 San Francisco, California
- 132 Sarasota, Florida
- 133 Scottsboro, Alabama
- 134 Seattle, Washington
- 135 Selma, Alabama
- 136 Sierra Vista, Arizona
- 137 Smithfield, North Carolina
- 138 South Bend, Indiana
- 139 Springfield, Illinois
- 140 Spring Grove, Virginia
- 141 Spokane, Washington
- 142 State Line, Mississippi
- 143 Syracuse, New York
- 144 Tampa, Florida
- 145 Tacoma, Washington
- 146 Tallahassee, Florida
- 147 Tchula, Mississippi
- 148 Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas
- 149 Thomson, Georgia
- 150 Tupelo, Mississippi
- 151 Warner-Robins, Georgia
- 152 Washington, D.C.
- 153 White Plains, New York
- 154 Whiteville, North Carolina
- 155 Wichita, Kansas
- 156 Wichita Falls, Texas
- 157 Wiggins, Mississippi
- 158 Wilmington, Delaware
- 159 Wilmington, North Carolina
- 160 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- 161 Worcester, Massachusetts
- 162 Yazoo City, Mississippi
- 163 See also
- 164 References
- 165 External links
Akron, Ohio
The OH-59 freeway in downtown Akron, formerly the Akron Innerbelt, is now the Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway. Also, a part of OH-59 just after this expressway ends is known as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Located in downtown Albuquerque. Runs to the University of New Mexico.
Alice, Texas
In Alice, Martin Luther King Road is a semirural highway running north from BUS US 281 to Front Street.
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive begins at West Union Street and continues along Little Lehigh Creek. It ends at S. 24th Street. It serves as a small bypass of downtown Allentown.
Amory, Mississippi
Amory's Martin Luther King Drive is a north-south street running alongside a residential area. It forms a northern extension of Gregory Road.
Asheboro, North Carolina
In Asheboro, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is a two-lane semi rural road which loops north from East Salisbury Street.
Asheville, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Asheville is a southern extension of Town Mountain Road,; it starts at US 74A and winds south through a semi-residential area to Charlotte Street.
Anderson, South Carolina
Martin Luther king Jr. Boulevard, also designated as SC 472, swings around the west side of Anderson.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in King's hometown of Atlanta is a major landmark for tourism. It borders the Atlanta University Center, a conglomerate of historically black colleges and universities that includes King's alma mater Morehouse College.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Runs from the boardwalk to US 30.
Augusta, Georgia
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard serves as a connector, linking Georgia State Route 4 (known as Milledgeville Road southwest of this intersection and Ruth B. Crawford Highway north-northeast of it) with Old Savannah Road and Twiggs Street.
Austin, Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly 19th Street) is a major east-west roadway bordering the University of Texas in Austin.
Ayden, North Carolina
Ayden boasts a 9-block long M.L.K. Jr. Street, running north-south.
Baltimore, Maryland
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard begins at an exit on Interstate 395 and continues to Chase Street at Park Avenue. The original name of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was Harbor City Boulevard. It was renamed in honor of King shortly after it opened. The boulevard separates the predominantly black neighborhoods of West Baltimore from the downtown central business district. It was mentioned as the dividing line of West Baltimore and Downtown in a Homicide: Life on the Street episode titled "Scene of the Crime".
Beaumont, Texas
Martin Luther King Parkway is the name of Spur 380, a highway which passes through Lamar University.
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Northbound M-139 south of Main Street is designated Martin Luther King Drive.
Berkeley, California
Martin Luther King Jr. Way is a major north-south street in Berkeley.
Boston, Massachusetts
Martin Luther King Boulevard travels 0.6 miles (0.97 km) between Washington and Warren Streets in Roxbury, Boston.
Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia
Martin Luther King Boulevard begins in Bristol, Tennessee, as a northern continuation of Edgemont Avenue. It runs north and becomes part of US 421, crossing into Virginia, where the US 421 designation turns off. At this point, it becomes VA 113, and ends on Moore Street just south of US 11. This is one of two streets named after Dr. King which crosses a state line (The other is in Texarkana.).
Camden, New Jersey
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is located in downtown Camden. The road travels from Riverside Drive on the Delaware River waterfront, with a view of the Philadelphia skyline, east to an interchange with Interstate 676.[4]
Charlotte, North Carolina
In 2006, Second Street in Uptown was renamed to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It travels through what was once the predominantly Black neighborhood of Brooklyn, which was demolished in the 1960s to make way for expansion of the central business district.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
NC 86 north from the center of Chapel Hill is named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It was formerly named Airport Road. The street signs ingeniously list it as "Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard" on a green background, with a subheading "Historic Airport Road" beneath, on a brown background, to show the road's previous name.
Charles Town, West Virginia
West Virginia Highway 51, Middleway Pike, is also designated as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, from Washington street west.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago became the first city in the world to name a street after King; in 1968.[2] Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (formerly South Park Way, and originally Grand Boulevard) features a tribute to the Great Northern Migration (a statue honoring the tens of thousands of Blacks who migrated from the US South north to Chicago) and a Victory Monument for the Eighth Regiment (featuring a statue of a WWI Black soldier).
Cincinnati, Ohio
Martin Luther King Drive is a major crosstown artery in Cincinnati. It connects the west side of the city to the east, running through several historic uptown neighborhoods. It will open in 2015.[5]
Cleveland, Mississippi
In Cleveland, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is a four-lane thoroughfare that runs north-south east of and parallel to US 278. South of White Street it is also known as Pearman Road.
Cleveland, Ohio
Renamed in 1981,[6] the boulevard begins at an interchange with I-90, weaving south through the city to Harvard Avenue.
Cleveland renamed Liberty Boulevard, which had been named to commemorate Cleveland area soldiers who had been killed in World War I,[7] to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, to commemorate King. The largest span of the road is enclosed by Rockefeller Park. During the 1980s, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive was very dark at night, which is when most of the criminal activity took place. Currently, there are street lights every 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) along the parkway, as well as spotlights surrounding the nearby recreational areas.
Cleveland, Texas
Cleveland's Martin Luther King Drive is a residential street about 3/5 mile in length, running east from North Travis Avenue.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
A freeway segment of U.S. Route 24 is named Martin Luther King Jr. Bypass.
Columbus, Ohio
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Columbus is approximately three blocks in length, connecting east Spring Street and Mount Vernon Avenue, and running adjacent to Mayme Moore Park.
Dallas, Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a major street in South Dallas, running from Fair Park to just before South Lamar Street, where it becomes Cedar Crest Boulevard and crosses the Trinity River into Oak Cliff. In the middle of its length, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard intersects with Malcolm X Boulevard, another major South Dallas street.
Davisboro, Georgia
In Davisboro, 5th street is also marked "M. L. King Jr. Street."
Dayton, Ohio
Martin Luther King Jr. Way runs approximately 3 miles through the west side of the city of Dayton. The named part of the road begins from just west of the Great Miami River to the western edge of the Dayton city proper limits. This street is also called West Third Street.
Denver, Colorado
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a major street running through the eastern part of the city of Denver. Its western terminus is Downing Street. It is a divided parkway that was formerly E 32nd Avenue. East of Quebec Street the street shifts slightly southward to represent the former E 30th Avenue, passing through Denver's Central Park. At the eastern terminus it follows the south edge of Bluff Lake Nature Park and then turns south, becoming Moline Street. Its eastern terminus is within the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado.
Des Moines, Iowa
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (formerly Harding Road) originally traveled from Madison Avenue in the North Central part of the city south to Ingersoll Avenue near Downtown. Later, a new bypass was built just south of Downtown and was also named Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. To connect the original parkway to the new beltway, an extension of the original street was built south of Ingersoll by constructing an underpass at Grand Avenue, bridges over the Raccoon River, and a new "T" intersection at Fleur Drive and the new Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (beltway section). A left turn (to travel eastbound) is required at Fleur Drive to continue on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (Fleur Drive continues south). The new beltway extension of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is an east–west route that currently ends at S.E. 9th Street, near Downtown.
Detroit, Michigan
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly Myrtle Street) travels approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast to southwest from the M-10/J.C. Lodge Freeway to West Grand Boulevard on the west side of Detroit.
Dover, Delaware
On January 19, 2013, the city of Dover renamed Court Street, Duke of York Street, and William Penn Street near Delaware Legislative Hall to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Originally Delaware Route 8 (Division Street) was to be renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but merchants opposed.[8]
Durham, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is a four-lane divided road that travels 5.4 miles (8.7 km) from U.S. 15-501 to NC 55 across the southern portion of the city.
East St. Louis, Illinois
In East St. Louis, US 67 is designated as Martin Luther King Drive over most of its length.
Edenton, North Carolina
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Edenton runs from the center of Edenton west to the US 17 bypass, forming a sort of business spur of US 17. It is Chowan County Road No. 1234.
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin Bypass through the city of Elgin was named by State legislators "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway"in 2009.[9]
Elkhart, Indiana
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Elkhart runs east-west from Main Street to S. 6th Street.
Evansville, Indiana
Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., runs northwest-southeast from downtown in Evansville, IN. The Ford Center is at the corner of MLK Jr. Blvd and Main Street.
Fair Bluff, North Carolina
Fair Bluff's tribute to Dr. King consists of MLK Jr. Street, a one-lane semi-paved cul-de-sac about a block and a half long, running off US 76 past some mobile housing.
Farmerville, Louisiana
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is a major north-south residential street in Farmerville.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville City Council voted in January 2008 to officially rename Sixth Street, which passes through the city's historically black neighborhood as well as the southern boundary of the University of Arkansas campus, to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Walmart headed a petition of 71 businesses opposed to the renaming.[citation needed] Part of the road is designated as Arkansas Highway 180.
Fayetteville, North Carolina
The Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, also known as the Central Business District Loop (CBD Loop), is a freeway in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the adjacent Gray's Creek Township. It is designated in part as US 401 and North Carolina Highway 87. This freeway has the credentials to be commissioned as an Interstate highway (such as I-395), but was never done so.
Flint, Michigan
Martin Luther King Avenue in Flint begins in the downtown area (at 1st and Saginaw Streets) and travels north as a city street, then a four-lane thoroughfare to Carpenter Road, where it becomes Detroit Street.
Forrest City, Arkansas
The former Honeysuckle Lane in Forrest City, AR was renamed Martin Luther King Drive.
Fort Myers, Florida
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard (formerly Anderson Avenue) is Florida State Road 82, from US 41 near the Caloosahatchee River bridge east to I-75.
Fort Worth, Texas
US 287 is designated as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway from Downtown Fort Worth to East Loop 820.
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort's Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs south from US 60 and is designated KY 1659.
Galveston, Texas
The entirety of 29th Street is known as Martin Luther King Street from Seawall Boulevard to Harborside Drive. It is one of two streets in Galveston named after prominent African Americans - another street (41st Street) is named for former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson.
Gary, Indiana
In Gary, Martin Luther King Drive runs north-south on the east side of the city, connecting Tennessee and Ohio Streets on the north with 37th Street at its south end.
Giddings, Texas
US 77 is designated as the Martin Luther King Memorial Highway within the Giddings city limits.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Greensboro follows the route of old US 421 into the city from the south, ending at East McGee Street.
Greenville, South Carolina
A portion of SC 291 and US 25 in Greenville is designated as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway.
Gresham, South Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Road in Gresham is a semi rural road running east from SC 908.
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Martin Luther King Jr. Way loops around the south side of Harrisonburg, from US 33 on its east end, to Virginia State Route 42 at its western terminus.
Hayward, California
"MLK Way" in Hayward travels north–south from Cannery Park to Winton Avenue.
Hempstead, New York
Martin Luther King Drive in Hempstead is a residential street of mostly multiple family dwellings, about four blocks long, from Circle Drive to South Franklin Street.
Houston, Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly South Park Boulevard until 1976) travels from the University of Houston south to Orem Drive through the predominantly black neighborhoods of Old Spanish Trail, South Park, Sunnyside, and South Acres. The boulevard is proposed to be extended further southward to Houston's Texas State Highway Beltway 8. Metro's bus route 77 runs along almost the entire length of the boulevard between Wheeler and Orem.
Homer, Louisiana
The northernmost two blocks of Magnolia Street in Homer are named Dr. Martin Luther King Street.
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
The US 68 bypass of Hopkinsville is named Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Northwestern Avenue was renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in 1985. There have been recent proposals to extend the name much further, replacing Michigan Road.[10] Robert F. Kennedy gave a speech in Indianapolis after learning of King's assassination.
Ithaca, New York
Martin Luther King Jr. Street (also called State Street)[11]
Jackson, Mississippi
Whitfield Mills Street, located in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, was changed to M.L.K. Jr Drive in the 1980s. This street, which intersects with Medgar Evers Boulevard at a Jackson landmark called Freedom Corner, is the site of one of the largest Martin Luther King Day parades in the nation.
Jackson, Tennessee
Dr. Martin Luther King Drive is an 8-block east-west street on the southeast side of Jackson.
Jacksonville, Florida
The Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is a freeway bypass around Downtown Jacksonville, carrying US 1 Alternate.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Martin Luther King made two speeches in Jersey City.[12] Originally called Jackson Avenue, Martin Luther King Drive was named in his honor in 1976 and extends 26 blocks through the Jackson Hill and Greenville sections of the city.[13] In 2000, a Martin Luther King Drive station of the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail was opened with a memorial and other public art related to King's life and the Civil Rights Movement.
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Martin Luther King Drive in Kenosha forms a connector across Lincoln Park, connecting 71st Street on the east side of the park to 69th Street on the west side.
Kensett, Arkansas
East and West MLK Drive runs northwest-southeast through most of Kensett.
Kinloch, Missouri
Martin Luther King Boulevard in Kinloch runs north-south from North Hanley Road to Courtney Avenue.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue travels northeast to southwest for a distance of 2.8 miles (4.5 km) on the east side of Knoxville.
Lansing, Michigan
The state capital of Michigan[14] and also the childhood home of Malcolm X.[15] A portion of the road is designated as M-99 or the Capitol Loop.[14] Formerly called Logan Street (until 1994), Martin Luther King Boulevard travels north-south along the western side of Lansing.
Las Vegas area, Nevada
The section of Highland Drive north of Oakey Boulevard was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the 1990s. The roadway connects the western edge of Downtown Las Vegas to the newer and more affluent parts of North Las Vegas. Via ramps to the road at the "Spaghetti Bowl" (I-15/US 93/US 95) freeway interchange near downtown, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard provides the most direct connection between the north-central Las Vegas Valley and the Las Vegas Strip. The road also passes through historic "West Las Vegas", an older and predominantly Black neighborhood. The city identifies the road as "Martin L. King Blvd.", omitting the Jr. and using L in place of Luther. Most residents in the Las Vegas Valley use the term MLK.
Lebanon, Kentucky
In Lebanon, Martin Luther King Avenue runs parallel to US 68 and one block north of it through the center of town.
Lexington, Georgia
A cul-de-sac running north off Fairground Road is named Martin Luther King Drive.
Lexington, Kentucky
Martin Luther King Boulevard runs northeast-southwest in Lexington, from East 6th Street to Euclid Avenue. It crosses east Main Street, which divides it into North and South Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Lexington, Mississippi
A one-block portion of Cedar Street in Lexington has been renamed Martin Luther King Street.
Lexington, North Carolina
In Lexington, West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is actually on the southeast side of the city; it runs from the center of Lexington southeast to the East Center Street extension near an interchange with I-85. It is NC-8 for a part of its length, and Davidson County Road 2205 for the rest of its length.
Little Rock, Arkansas
In 1992, High Street was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The street, which begins next to the Arkansas State Capitol building, is home to parades and community events. Martin Luther King Jr. Interdistrict Magnet Elementary School is located on the street.
Los Angeles, California
In 1983, Santa Barbara Avenue in South Los Angeles was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, three years before President Ronald Reagan signed a law declaring King's birthday a national holiday. That event was celebrated by the first Kingdom Day Parade, now an annual tradition, held on the street between Crenshaw Boulevard and Western Avenue.[16] Due to the length of the name, the roadway is often abbreviated as King Blvd. on its traffic signs and sometimes called MLK Blvd. Another Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly Century Boulevard) exists in nearby Lynwood, California. There also exists Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Long Beach, California.
Louisa, Virginia
Louisa honors Dr. King's memory with Martin Luther King Lane, a short cul-de-sac running north off West Street.
Louisville, Kentucky
Interstate 65 in Louisville is named the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway.
Lubbock, Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a north-south road paralleling Interstate 27/U.S. Route 87 from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport to near the Lubbock Executive Airpark, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the intersection of South Loop 289 and U.S. Route 84.[17]
Madison, Wisconsin
The two-block street southeast from the State Capitol building to Wilson Street in front of Monona Terrace is named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Maxton, North Carolina
Business US 74 in Maxton is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Memphis, Tennessee
A portion of the Interstate 240/Interstate 40 loop from Interstate 55 to Sam Cooper Boulevard is named the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway.
In addition, Linden Avenue between Danny Thomas Boulevard and Front Street is named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Miami area, Florida
North 62nd Street (East 9th Street in Hialeah) is called Martin Luther King Boulevard since he gave speeches all across the South, including the city of Miami. Ironically, he gave one of his speeches at a church near the intersection of East 8th Street and LeJeune Road. It is unknown when the road got this name. But some Hialeah residents say it was in the middle of the 1970s.
Michigan City, Indiana
Martin Luther King Drive runs east-west in Michigan City from North Karwick Road to US 12. It forms the northern edge of Pottawatomie Park.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
On the northwest side of downtown Milwaukee, N. 3rd Street (from W. McKinley Avenue to N. Green Bay Avenue), was renamed N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, although residents and street signs sometimes refer to it as King Drive. The renamed portion is a 2-mile-long (3.2 km) stretch through the Harambee, Brewer's Hill, and Halyard Park neighborhoods, which in the 19th century were originally populated by German immigrants but are now predominantly African-American. A branch of the Milwaukee Public Library located on this road is also named the Martin Luther King Library.
Minden, Louisiana
Martin Luther King Drive is an 8-block long residential street in Minden.
Mobile, Alabama
On Mobile's northside area, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue runs from Congress Street in downtown Mobile up to the intersections of Craft Highway and Saint Stephens Road. The section was formerly known as Davis Avenue from Congress Street to Bizell Avenue, and Stone Street from Bizell Ave. to Saint Stephens Road.
Morristown, New Jersey
Martin Luther King Avenue is a main residential street running north-south through central Morristown.
Morristown, Tennessee
In Morristown on the west side of town, SR-66 is called Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
New Bern, North Carolina
Dr. M. L. King Jr. Boulevard runs from Neuse Boulevard, in the center of New Bern, southwest to its junction with US 17. The boulevard forms part of Business Route U. S. 17 in New Bern.
New Haven, Connecticut
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, formerly North Frontage Road, is a westward one-way main entrance into New Haven, home of Yale University. The name was successfully dedicated in 2011 through continuous efforts by New Haven's Muslim alderman Yusuf Shah.[18][19] Exits off of I-91 and I-95 take drivers onto the boulevard into downtown New Haven, which then terminates at West River Memorial Park.
New Market, Tennessee
Martin Luther King Drive is a one-lane residential cul-de-sac, running north from Indian Cave Road, in the northwest corner of New Market.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Most of Melpomene Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Several murals of King are painted along the boulevard. The boulevard is also near a King statue and memorial on Claiborne Avenue, and the boulevard is part of the route of New Orleans' annual Martin Luther King Day parade. The street is located in Central City, which is historically the city's largest African American commercial district and a major hub for the uptown African American community. The renamed section starts at its intersection with St. Charles Ave where many Mardi Gras parades pass and ends at a 3-way intersection with Earhart Boulevard and S. Jefferson Davis Parkway. Melpomene Avenue between the Mississippi River and St. Charles Avenue retains its original name.
New York, New York
125th Street between First Avenue and 12th Avenue is designated Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (shortened by locals as MLK Jr. Boulevard). MLK Jr. Boulevard, which runs through Harlem, intersects with Malcolm X Boulevard at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. The street features Apollo Theater, a famous center for Black music and entertainment.
NY 440 in Staten Island, from the Bayonne Bridge to the Staten Island Expressway/I 278, runs along Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway.
University Avenue in the Bronx, between Kingsbridge Road and Edward L. Grant Highway, is also designated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Newark, New Jersey
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard traces the western edge of downtown Newark, separating the academic buildings of Rutgers and NJIT. MLK Boulevard extends from Bloomfield Avenue in the north to Clinton Avenue in the south. It was traditionally named High Street.
Newburgh, New York
Marine Drive, along the city's waterfront, was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard during the 2000s.
North Shreveport, Louisiana
State Highway 3194 is designated as Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. It runs east-west across the length of North Shreveport.
Norwalk, Connecticut
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is located in South Norwalk. It is one of the busiest streets in the area and many popular places are located on it, notably the South Norwalk train station.
Oakland and Berkeley, California
Grove Street, which stretched for several miles north from Downtown Oakland into North Berkeley, was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Way in 1984. The street had once represented the dividing line between neighborhoods where minorities could and could not live or buy property.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Northern section of Eastern Avenue, from E. Reno Avenue north to N. 63rd Street, was renamed "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard" in honor of his impact on Oklahoma City and the nation. The boulevard is the principal north-south avenue in Oklahoma City's Eastside section, home to the state's largest African American community. Prominent landmarks along the boulevard include many of Oklahoma City's top attractions, such as the Oklahoma City Zoological Park, Remington Park, and Omniplex Science Museum. Other institutions of note include Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, Ralph Waldo Ellison Public Library, the recently rebuilt campus of Frederick Augustus Douglass High School, and the YWCA Branch. It is legend that King interviewed to become pastor of the historic Calvary Baptist Church in today's Deep Deuce Historic neighborhood, but church officials turned him down due to his youthful age.
Paducah, Kentucky
Martin Luther King Drive is US Highway 60 in Paducah, Kentucky.
Panama City, Florida
Martin Luther King Boulevard replaces parts of Cove Boulevard and State Highway 77.
Pawley's Island, South Carolina
Martin Luther King Road runs east-west in Pawley's Island, from US 17 almost to King's River Road.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Martin Luther King Drive on the west side of the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park (formerly West River Drive). (The former East River Drive is named in honor of John B. Kelly, Jr.)
Pinetops, North Carolina
In Pinetops, Martin Luther King Street runs 5 blocks, from north to south.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, a bus rapid transit line, travels 9 miles (14 km) from Downtown Pittsburgh to Rankin via Shadyside, East Liberty, Homewood, Edgewood, and Wilkinsburg. It is used by an average of 25,000 people each weekday.[20]
Pontiac, Michigan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard begins at Woodward avenue south of Pontiac, and runs around the city's east side, terminating northeast of the center of town, at Perry Street. It is divided into "north" and "south" sections, the dividing point being the intersection with Pike Street.
Port St. Joe, Florida
In the northern part of Port St. Joe, Martin Luther King Boulevard is a residential street running north-south nine blocks. It forms an extension of David Langston Drive.
Princeton, West Virginia
Princeton boasts a one-block "MLK Jr. Ave," running off Raleigh Road on the north side of town.
Portage, Michigan
Martin Luther King Drive in Portage is a 3-block street connecting Constitution Boulevard with the Crossroads shopping mall.
Portland, Oregon
Union Avenue between Delta Park and SE Division Street was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in 1990. It, as part of a two-way couplet with Grand Avenue, carries Oregon State Route 99E through East Portland.
Prince George's County, Maryland
Martin Luther King Jr. Highway begins at the DC–Maryland border at 63rd St in the District running from Seat Pleasant through Glenarden; also known as Maryland Route 704.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Raleigh forms an eastern continuation of Western Boulevard, looping south of the downtown area, and going east to its terminus at Poole Road.
Reno, Nevada
Some signs designate the US 395 freeway in Reno as the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, although the highway is rarely referred to by this name.
Riverside, California
In November 1993, the Riverside City Council voted to rename a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue and Box Springs Boulevard to Martin Luther King Boulevard.[21] It runs from Kansas Avenue to Interstate 215.
Rolling Fork, Mississippi
MS State Highway 16 in Rolling Fork is named Dr. Martin Luther King Street.
Rowland, North Carolina
Martin Luther King street is a major north-south residential street in Rowland.
Sacramento, California
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard travels from Broadway south to Franklin Boulevard. It is crossed by SR 99.
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard travels in front of the Minnesota State Capitol.
Saint Petersburg, Florida
The St. Petersburg City Council gave Ninth Street the additional name of M.L. King Jr. Street in 1987; in 2003, the street was fully renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.[22]
Salt Lake City, Utah
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, also known as 600 south, runs west to east through the heart of Salt Lake City.
San Antonio, Texas
Martin Luther King Drive (formerly Nebraska St.) starts out as a neighborhood street at Claude W. Black and ends at Palmetto Street which it merges into Pittman-Sullivan Park. Then, Martin Luther King Drive travels from South New Braunfels Avenue to W.W. White Road. Martin Luther King Drive is located on San Antonio's east side, which is one of two predominantly African American areas of San Antonio, the other being northeast San Antonio. St. Phillips College, a community college originally founded as a HBCU is also located on Martin Luther King Drive. It is crossed by I-10, where it meets Martin Luther King Park, which holds one of the largest Martin Luther King Day parades in the United States.
San Diego, California
Market Street was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Way for a few years in the 1980s and 1990s before SR 94, a freeway traveling east from downtown, was renamed the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway.
Martin Luther king Jr Way in 2010 was name by, a group of community folks ln the Broadway Heights community City of San Diego rename a street in their community after Dr King the only city or county surface street
San Francisco, California
Martin Luther King Drive is one of two roads that run virtually the entire length of San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Park—the other is John F. Kennedy Drive. It was renamed from South Drive.
Sarasota, Florida
Martin Luther King Boulevard runs east from North Tamiami Trail to Tuttle Avenue.
Scottsboro, Alabama
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in Scottsboro runs north-south on the northwest side of town.
Seattle, Washington
In 1983, an 8-mile-long (13 km) stretch of State Route 900 between Seattle and Renton was renamed from Empire Way to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. At the time the area was roughly 70 percent black.[23]
Selma, Alabama
In 1976, Sylvan Street was renamed Martin Luther King Street. King spent many days along Sylvan Street working for civil rights in the 1960s, especially by speaking at First Baptist Church and Brown Chapel. Brown Chapel is the background in a famous Time magazine photograph of King in the 1960s. Today, there is a monument honoring King in front of Brown Chapel. Brown Chapel was also the beginning of the route of the infamous Bloody Sunday march led by King. Ironically, the street crosses Jefferson Davis Avenue, named after the president of the Confederacy.
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway runs east to west between Moorman and Highway 90, passing Veteran's Memorial Park.
Smithfield, North Carolina
In Smithfield, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive runs from Broghden Road at its interchange with I-95, north for 11 blocks. It passes the south campus of Community High School, and ends on Harris Street.
South Bend, Indiana
On the west side of South Bend, Chapin Street becomes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as it passes north of Washington Street. It extends north to Lincoln Way West.
Springfield, Illinois
18th Street in Springfield is named Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. It runs north south through about two-thirds of Springfield from Washington Street on the north, to Morgan Avenue at its south end.
Spring Grove, Virginia
VA 40 south out of Spring Grove is designated the Martin Luther King Highway.
Spokane, Washington
East Martin Luther King Jr. Way is four blocks long, and runs east and west from North Division Street to North Sherman Street. It is also located one block south of East Main Avenue, and is just east of the downtown corridor.[24]
State Line, Mississippi
Middle Road, running southwest out of State Line, is also known as Martin Luther King Drive.
Syracuse, New York
West Castle Street is designated as Dr. MLK Street West, from US 11 Salina Street west until it curves and becomes Hudson Street.
Tampa, Florida
In 1989, the entire stretch of Buffalo Avenue from Drew Park to Plant City was renamed "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard",[25][26] also designated as State Road 574. Notable attractions include Raymond James Stadium.
Tacoma, Washington
The area of K Street, from South 27th to Division Streets, within the neighborhood commonly referred to as "Hilltop", was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Way in 1993.
Tallahassee, Florida
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs north and south through Tallahassee, Florida. A portion of S. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs just blocks west of the State Capitol.[27]
Tchula, Mississippi
US 49A through Tchula is designated as Martin Luther King Drive.
Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas
In Texarkana, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a one-way thoroughfare carrying US 67 westbound. It occupies the position of 8th Street in Texarkana's numbered-street grid. (US 67 eastbound is carried by 7th Street.) This is one of two streets named after Dr. King that crosses a state line (The other is in Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia).
Thomson, Georgia
Martin Luther King Jr. Street is a main residential street in Thomson, running north-south, parallel to US 78.
Tupelo, Mississippi
The US 45 freeway bypass of Tupelo is named Martin Luther King Drive.
Warner-Robins, Georgia
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs from the Middle Georgia State University campus east to US 129. It continues as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard east onto Robins air force Base.
Washington, D.C.
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (formerly Nichols Avenue SE) is the main commercial street in the part of Southeast Washington east of the Anacostia River. It intersects Malcolm X Avenue SE (formerly Portland Street SE) near Bolling Air Force Base and St. Elizabeths Hospital.
Also very near the street is the home of Frederick Douglass, the famous abolitionist, for whom a major city bridge along South Capitol Street is named. Other streets and bridges named for prominent civil rights figures are Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE and the Whitney Young Bridge along East Capitol Street.
White Plains, New York
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard runs through the heart of the commercial district from Water Street to East Post Road in downtown White Plains.
Whiteville, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Avenue in Whiteville runs south-to-north, parallel to US 701. North of Burkehead Street it becomes N. Memory street.
Wichita, Kansas
A portion of Interstate 135 is designated as the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Highway."[28]
Wichita Falls, Texas
In 2006, the city renamed Eastside Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from Burkburnett Road to East Scott Avenue. Many businesses along the road have the name Eastside in reference to their location by the street's previous name.
Wiggins, Mississippi
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Wiggins is a four-and-a-half-block long residential street running east-west, just south of the center of town.
Wilmington, Delaware
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard connects Lancaster Avenue to Front Street, traveling from I-95 to the Wilmington Amtrak Station at US 13. It provides a gateway for the New Castle County suburbs to Wilmington's waterfront, downtown, and the transit hubs from I-95. Eastbound (inbound) lanes connect with Lancaster Avenue, and are therefore able to draw from both exit 6 off of I-95, and the surrounding urban neighborhoods of Wilmington that lie west of downtown. Westbound (outbound) lanes of MLK Jr. Boulevard terminate at, and merge directly with I-95, providing a direct link between city and highway only. Wilmington Boulevard was renamed Martin Luther King Boulevard in 1989.[29]
Wilmington, North Carolina
US 74 is designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, from the Cape Fear River east to US 17.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is a 3.7-mile-long (6.0 km) road that begins at the intersection of 8th Street and Trade Street downtown and reaches its terminus at Thomasville Road in the Southeast part of the city. It is predominantly African-American. The section between Liberty Street and Cleveland Avenue has been given the honorary name The Golden Mile. Every Martin Luther King Day, a parade is held on this street, marchers sing freedom hymns and carry signs calling for peace and social justice.[30] It passes through the campus of Winston-Salem State University, a HBCU. Bowman Gray Stadium is also located on this street.
Worcester, Massachusetts
In 2009, Worcester renamed East Central Street, the primary road connecting I-290 to the central business district, "MLK Jr. Boulevard." The highway signs for what had been the E. Central Street exit were replaced with MLK Jr. Boulevard signs on January 19, 2009, which was that year's observance of Martin Luther King Day.
Yazoo City, Mississippi
In Yazoo City, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is a thoroughfare forming a northern extension of Main Street. As such it runs north from 1st Street out into the adjoining rural area, passing Yazoo City High School and ending at Gordon Avenue.
See also
- List of museums focused on African Americans
- Artworks commemorating African Americans in Washington, D.C.
- King County, Washington, which includes Seattle, is named for King (although it had this name before King was born.)
References
- Notes
- ^ a b "Martin Luther King Jr. Streets in Georgia". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
- ^ a b c "King's Way: Snapshots of life along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ^ "Along Martin Luther King". NPR.org. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
- ^ Google (June 7, 2013). "overview of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Camden, NJ" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Address for Dreams: Martin Luther King Drive. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved on 19 May 2008
- ^ Case Western Reserve University History Department, Liberty Row, in The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
- ^ Case Western Reserve University History Department, Monuments, in The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
- ^ Prado, Antonio (January 19, 2013). "Dover dedicates new Martin Luther Jr. King Boulevard at Legislative Mall". Dover Post. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Bill Status of HR1214 95th General Assembly
- ^ "Driving the Dream: Part One". WTHR.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ "Google Maps". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ "Martin Luther King Jr. speeches in Jersey City". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ "MLK Redevelopment Plan" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-08-22.
- ^ a b Official Department of Transportation Map (Map). 1 in:3.5 mi/1 cm:2 km. Michigan Department of Transportation. 2010. Lansing inset.
- ^ Natambu, Kofi (2002). The Life and Work of Malcolm X. Indianapolis: Alpha Books. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-02-864218-5.
- ^ "National & World News on Newsday.com - Newsday". Newsday. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Westbrook, Ray (January 17, 1999). "A promising road city unites to change street name". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ MacMillan, Thomas (June 18, 2011). "North Frontage Is "MLK Boulevard"". New Haven Independent. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ Sanders, Alexandra (June 19, 2011). "Sign designates new MLK Blvd". New Haven Register. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ "Port Authority of Allegheny County > Home". Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Minutes of Regular Meeting of the City Council". City of Riverside. November 2, 1993. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Wilson, John (February 21, 2003). "(Ninth) to leave King Street". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ de Leon, Ferdinand M. "Seattle: Martin Luther King Way is growing into its name". Seattle Times. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6580752,-117.407789,18z
- ^ "Untiring activist; his whirl of cuisine". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ "Are the streets fit for King?". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ "30.438029,-84.285634 - Google Maps". Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Article 10: Naming And Marking Of Highways And Bridges". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ Delaware Highways AA roads, Retrieved 6 August 2011
- ^ "Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade celebrates social justice". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- Further reading
- Tilove, Jonathan; Michael Falco (2003). Along Martin Luther King: travels on Black America's main street. Random House. ISBN 1-4000-6080-X.
External links
- Roadways Across America. The Seattle Times, 1998.