webster on the web

Last month’s Webster History Bit feature really struck a chord with many current and former Webster residents. Titled “What’s in a Name?”, it told the history behind several well-known Webster street names: Salt Rd., Basket Rd., Five Mile Line Rd., Shoecraft Rd. and Whiting Rd. (Here’s the link to the blog version.)

That little blog took took me about 15 minutes to write since I pulled pretty much all my information straight from a brochure published by the Webster Museum. Ironically, it drew more online comments, shares and “likes” than any other blog I have ever written. In many of the comments, readers wondered about the history behind other well-known road names. I made a list of all of the roads that people asked about, and I will try to address most of them here.

So, drawing liberally once again from Webster Through the Years, my handy everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-Webster’s-history reference book, here are answers for some of those wonders. 

Drumm Rd. was named after a colorful character called “Captain Drumms.” He was reputed to be a former canal boat captain who bought land on the west side of the road. 

Herman Rd. was named after Gustav Herman, who owned a farm on the south side of the road opposite Pellett Rd. The road had apparently been nameless for several years.

Klem Rd., now known in part for its spacious shoulders, was only 49 feet wide when it was surveyed in 1816. Several families of Klems lived on or near the road, so it was named for them. It was originally built with logs because the bed was low and swampy. 

It’s commonly believed that Vosburg Rd. was named after the forebears of George Vosburgh, who lived many years in the old brick house near the corner of Lake Rd. It was actually named after Freeman Vosburgh, a German blacksmith, who built that house.

With regards to where Woodhull Rd. got its name, I’ve found conflicting information. It’s natural to think that the road was named after Victoria Woodhull, the daughter of Webster’s first supervisor Byron Woodhull, and who in 1872 was the first woman to ever run for president. (Click here to read a blog I wrote about her.) According to Webster Through the Years, however, when it was surveyed in 1816, it traversed the original Robert Woodhull Farm and so was named after him. 

Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton was able to enlighten me about Dunning Ave., writing, “The name came from Dr. John Dunning. He lived at the corner of East Main and Dunning on the west side. He owned a track of land that was later subdivided into lots. He was a medical doctor who graduated in 1852, he worked for Dr. Potter shortly before starting his own practice. He died in 1901.”

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There were several other questions about roads that were not included in the book, but about which my readers could provide some insight. Here what they said:

Rachel Dr.: Helene S. wrote that “Rachel was named after my brother-in-law’s great aunt. Wegmans kept that name … She had a house right there before they built that plaza and needed a second access to get in and out.”

Publishers Parkway and Document Dr.: Glenn M. wrote, “Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company was on Publishers Pkwy across from RL Thomas HS.”

Another reader asked about Hrezent View Lane, which was named after the contractor who built the houses in that tract.

Jeremy S. added some interesting information about Plank Rd., writing: “Plank Rd. was made of planks down the dugway by the bay. (The) guy who helped maintain it tried to start charging a toll to cross them.
It didn’t go well. Farmers in the area shut that down.”

And Scott M. added these great tidbits:

• “Creek and Bay were (called) Drake Road from Embury to Ridge because the Drake family owned most of the farmland there. Bay only existed from Ridge to Lake.
• Hillsboro Cove townhouses at the end of Ridge were the trolley turnaround point.
• Maple used to be called Cemetery Road.
• Empire used to just be Clifford like it is in the city up until the County DOT widened it for major traffic. Prior to that it was Dayton Road. i.e. Dayton’s Corners and the one-room school house at Plank and Creek back when that intersection was Drake and Tract.”

Webster Through the Years, written by Esther Dunn and published in 1971, has lots more information about many more of our town’s roads, along with tons of other interesting history. You can check out a copy at the Webster Public Library, or you can purchase your own copy at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. The museum is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@missyblog)

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(posted 6/17/2023)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, town of webster, Village of Webster, Webster NY