Great Jones Street
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Great Jones Street is a street located in New York City's NoHo district in Manhattan.
The street was named for Samuel Jones, a lawyer who, with Richard Varick revised New York State's statutes in 1789, and became known as "The Father of The New York Bar." Varick also had a street named after him, in his case Varick Street in SoHo. Jones was a Tory in the Revolution, and was repeatedly elected to the New York State Assembly from 1796 to 1799. He also served as New York City's first Comptroller, a post which he created.
Jones deeded the site of the street to the city, and demanded it be named for him. However the city already had a "Jones Street", named for Doctor Gardner Jones, Samuel Jones' Brother-in-law, and - for a time- there were two Jones Streets. Neither Brother-in-law would defer to the other to end the resulting confusion, but Samuel Jones finally ended the argument by suggesting "Then make mine 'Great Jones Street'".
Great Jones Street is an extension of 3rd Street to the east of Fifth Avenue, but becomes East 3rd Street upon crossing Bowery.
Great Jones Street is also the title of a novel by the American author, Don DeLillo.
There is also a Great Jones Street, in Durham, NC, in the tobacco factory area. Any information regarding its origin would be appreciated. This site has a number of pictures and other information. http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/search/label/Great%20Jones%20Street
[edit] References
- "The Street Book"; an encyclopedia of Manhattan's street names and their origins. By Henry Moscow.
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