Learn about the history of Milton’s street names!
Each week, FM 101 Milton dives into the stories behind Milton’s road names. Last week, we covered Cousens Terrace, Sproat Street, and the listener-suggested Chuchmach Close. This week, we’re focusing on two streets: Coxe Boulevard and Sprucedale Lane.
We’re able to do this week-in and week-out due entirely to the excellent work done by the Milton Historical Society and its President, John Challinor II. If you weren’t aware, Challinor and the late great historian, Jim Dills, wrote the book on Milton street names, having written Milton Streets back in 2007.
Starting off with Coxe Boulevard, Challinor says the name comes from a local 20th century farmer.
He adds that it’s not uncommon to have local farmers serve on Council. He feels they bring a perspective that is needed when making decisions on the Town, and would like to see another Milton farmer in the role in the future.
Our second street name this week also has an agricultural background. This time though, it’s not named for a person but rather a landmark of sorts. Challinor has more on Sprucedale Lane.
The property is now a subdivision and lengthy plaza, namely where the Milton Cineplex is located. Challinor notes that there is still a forested area along Thompson, north of Main – a slight distance across from the Milton Public Library Main location. That would have been a part of the Dixon property at the time as well.
If you’re looking to understand how Milton’s streets were named, you should check out the book written by Challinor and Dills. Published by the Milton Historical Society back in 2007, it sold out in about six weeks and has since been long out of print. That said, according to Challinor, you can still find a copy at the Milton Public Library. With nearly 15-years having passed since the initial publication, and the extensive town growth in that time, an updated book is likely to come.
You can also take a walk with the late Jim Dills down Milton’s Main Street in 2002.
If you have a suggestion on what you’d like to learn about next week, let us know! We’re currently working on names that we find interesting, as well as suggested names. You can message our Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram page, or even email us at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. Otherwise, we’ll just continue asking about local street names that interest us.
Hey, things are changing for us here at MiltonNow.ca! If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
