Theodore Foster, Sr. (1888-1960), early board member of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing conducted extensive research on the origins of Lansing street names.

Longtime HSGL member Timothy Bowman compiled a modern listing of Lansing street name histories consulting Foster’s research as well as several other sources, including period newspaper articles which covered name changes. Special thanks to Timothy Bowman for providing his research for us to share here:

Prominent Street Name Changes

1925 - Franklin Street became Grand River Ave. in North Lansing (now Old Town), in 2018 Grand River Ave became Cesar E. Chavez Ave. through Old Town.

1989 - Logan Street became Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

2010 - Main Street became Malcolm X Street.