Interactive map reveals the famous New Yorkers behind 2,500 co-named streets
Images courtesy of DORIS
Ever wonder about the history behind some of New York City’s co-named streets? The city’s Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) on Tuesday announced upgrades to its interactive map, which provides information about the 2,500 streets, parks, and other locations across the five boroughs named for notable people. The upgrades include enhanced search features and an easier-to-remember website address.
First launched in November 2024, the tool allows users to search for streets and intersections and read the biographies of the individuals they are named after. The map also provides details such as location, borough, year of enactment, and the Council Members who introduced them.
Accessible on both computers and mobile devices, the project was created following the passage of a bill introduced by Council Member Gale Brewer. The map was developed by DORIS and uses software from the Office of Technology and Innovation, as reported by Gothamist.
“Our city’s history is long and deep, and we need tools to remember those who came before us — whether their name is on a building or on a street sign — and why they’re being honored,” Brewer said when the tool was released. “Think of this as Wikipedia for street names.”
According to DORIS, of the 2,496 entries, 1,610 of those are co-named intersections and 886 are co-named streets. The City Council typically passes two local laws each year listing the biographical information and location of these co-named streets. The map uses data from laws passed between 2001 and 2024.
More than 400 streets were co-named in honor of those affected by the 9/11 attacks, each requiring biographical information. DORIS is working with the Council to add details about these honorees.
New biographical information will be added quarterly, with the next update slated for June.
In addition to the map for co-named streets, there are other interactive map projects that highlight local history across the city. Flushing Town Hall’s Digital Queens Jazz Trail Map, released in September, features 125 legendary jazz musicians who once called the borough home. Users can explore the biographies of these figures, along with significant locations in the genre’s history.
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