KOSCIUSKO COUNTY —In January of 1966 the Kosciusko County Historical Society was formed. One hundred sixty-five persons attended the first meeting held at the courthouse.  From that beginning fifty years ago, the society has grown to nearly 500 members and has become the caretaker of the Old County Jail (now a museum), the Chinworth Bridge (Greenway Trailhead), and the Pound Store in Oswego (oldest commercial building in county).   But the society does not only preserve historical sites, they also are the caretakers of the official county records, and business, family and personal histories.

When Warsaw was platted in 1835 by John B. Chapman, three students in civil engineering were engaged to assist in the work of the survey. Upon completion of the work a gathering was held at a tavern which was constructed of logs and located on the site on the corner of Main and Detroit streets. During the course of the evening the subject of naming the streets of the new town plat was brought up.

The first street to be named was short trail on the west side of town. The name Union Street was selected as a tribute to the union of states. Next came Columbia Street, named in honor of the Goddess of Liberty, recognized as the emblem of freedom. Washington Street derives its name from George Washington, our first president. Lake Street received its name because of its course along the west shore of Center Lake.

Two of the young surveyors were honored by streets named after their home towns, Buffalo and Detroit. The third surveyor came from Columbus, Ohio, but it was thought that name Columbus would bear too much similarity to Columbia. So the young man suggested the name of the street he lived on in his home town, High Street.

Indiana Street was so called in recognition of the Hoosier state. Hickory Street is said to have derived its name from the fact that a grove of trees of that variety had to be removed in order to permit construction of the street. Cedar Street gets its name from large cedar trees on that street. Park Avenue came into being by the unification of three sections of streets formerly known as Oak, Landor and Larned by ordinance passed by the city council July 24, 1895. Tamarack Street gets its name from the fact that when first constructed, it ran most of its length through a dense growth of tamarack trees.

Reed Street was named by developer A. T. S. Kist in honor of one of his son, Reed. Zoe Street, the next street east, is named after his daughter, Zoe. Cook Street gets its name from the Cook family, early pioneers. Wood Street named to perpetuate the memory of the late A. G. Wood, former mayor, who was a resident of that section of the city.

Scott Street originally was known as “Scott’s road,” because on one of the corners at the Center Street intersection lived a man by the name of George Scott, a leading businessman. Funk Street is named in honor of the pioneer family of that name. Maple Avenue was known as Card Street prior to the opening of Oakwood Cemetery at its northern terminus. Bronson Street derives its name from Rush Bronson, an early settler, who owned a large tract of land in that vicinity. He was a bandmaster of great ability.

Sherman Street perpetuates the memory William Sherman, of Civil War fame. Grant Street commemorates Ulysses S. Grant, commanding General of the Union army during the Civil War and president of the United States. Colfax Street, named for Schuyler Colfax, Indiana statesman and vice president of the United States during Grant’s first term. Lincoln Street takes its name from the martyred president, Abraham Lincoln. Cleveland, Harrison, Garfield and McKinley Streets derive their names from former presidents.

Argonne Road was named by the local post of the American Legion in commemoration of the memorable battle in France during World War I. Jefferson Street gets its name in commemoration of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence.

The Kosciusko County Historical Society has two books published for our 50th anniversary, That’s Life and Schools of Kosciusko County, 1835-1975. That’s Life contains short stories of interesting people, places and events in the county and is available at the Old Jail Museum for $18.16. Schools of Kosciusko County, 1835-1975 will be available in September for $37.50 plus tax (Pre-order your book now. Supplies are limited). Contact the society for more information, (574)269-1078.

From an article in Warsaw Daily Times by Edwin Aborn, June 29, 1932