Not Just Jerry

There's a Quirky Story to the Way Jerome Avenue Got its Name

It all happened about a century ago.  Kate Hall Jerome, the wife of Leonard W. Jerome, an important figure in the city’s high society during the 19th century, had just learned that a street in the Bronx had been named to honor a New York City alderman – and not her husband.  She became infuriated.  And not to be outdone, Ms. Jerome  personally ordered, paid for and supervised the placing of bronze street signs on poles  reading "Jerome Ave." in honor of her husband along the path of the thoroughfare that still bears his name.   

Now, about 100 years later, the important roadway is traveled by thousands of people each year who don't know much about its past.  "I think it was nice of Mrs. Jerome to name the street after her husband - but, if she could see how terrible the road is now, with all the pot holes in  it, I'm sure she would pay to have the signs removed and would quickly disassociate her husband from any connection in order preserve his name," says Maggie Velez, 47, a public school teacher and 15-year resident of the Bronx.  Velez appears quite agitated as she points to a dent on the rim of her 1998 white Toyota Camry which she blames on none other than "Jerome Ave"... Go to Story