Where the Streets All Have Names: Depew Street

Chauncey Depew (Photo from the United States Library of Congress)

Originally named both Monroe and D Street, the 4th street west of Sheridan was renamed after Chauncey Depew in 1903 to reflect the new Senator and Supreme Court Justice alphabet naming system.

Depew was a prominent statesman and businessman of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Peekskill, New York in 1834, he began his career as a lawyer before becoming involved in politics. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1883 and as a U.S. Senator from 1899 to 1911. He was also a close confidant of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, and served as the president of the New York Central Railroad from 1885 to 1898 and later as the board president until his death.

Depew had a reputation as a gifted orator and was a frequent speaker at public events. He was a popular figure in New York society and was often referred to as the “Silver-Tongued Orator of the Hudson.”

In addition to his political and business accomplishments, Depew was also a philanthropist. He was a trustee of several educational institutions, including Yale University and Columbia College, and was also a member of several charitable organizations.

In 1928, while traveling from Florida to Manhattan, Depew fell ill with pneumonia and passed away shortly after, mere days before his 94th birthday.