It is a common mis-conception that street names and numbers only changed in 1912. It is a common mis-conception that as the City Directory listed these changes it meant that the City Directory authorized those changes. The city directory lists a Wren street that does not appear in City records.
Alley Naming:
On Jan 8, 1894 pg 841 an ordinance is adopted for the naming of alleys. --- known by the name of the nearest public street or avenue parallel but not exceeding 225 feet on the north, east. Public alleys next to and parallel with Grand River on the west side thereof shall receive and be hereafter known by the name of River alley.
In 1912, The City Commission then called the Common Council adopted a house numbering and a street naming system.
Street Naming:
On February 13, 1912, pg 741, #51955 an ordinance was adopted changing streets and it was later modified. I am editing the legalese. The street changes were listed by ward and some were changed again before the final reading such as changing the name of First Avenue to Filmore Street where it ran from Hilton eastwards to South Lafayette but it was never put into effect.
The dividing lines were:
East of Division/Taylor and North of Fulton to the city limits: NE
West of Division/Taylor and North of Fulton to the city limits: NW
East of Division/Taylor and South of Fulton to the city limits: SE
West of Division/Taylor and South of Fulton to the city limits: SW
The thoroughfares: "thoroughfare" means all ways used or opened for public travel.
Thoroughfares running generally East and West: streets
Short or disconnected thoroughfares (less than one block)* running generally East and West: Courts
Thoroughfares running generally North and South: Avenues
Short or disconnected (less than one block)* thoroughfares running generally North and South: Places
Any prior ordinances that conflict are hereby repealed.
On March 4, 1912, Pg 785 this ordinance was given its third reading.
On March 11, 1912, Pg 808, this ordinance was again discussed. Alderman Doan moved that the changes -- be made effective after the new city directory is published and circulated. Alderman Fallon moved -- effective Jan 1, 1913. Lost. Ald. Fallon moved - Replace Ellsworth with Grandville north of Bartlett, replace Filmore with Buckley, Tyler with Grant, Foster with Graham. Carried. *Ald. Geib moved to amend (see above*) There were more individual changes. Motion to discharge the Special Committee. Carried.
Mar 13, 1912 Pg 822, move to reconsider. More changes including Friggs Ct to Clifton Place. (As these changes were intermediary they are not shown on the City Engineer's records which only reflect the final changes.).
Mar 25, 1912 Pg 832 another consideration and more changes.
House Numbering:
Mar 11, 1912 #52133 Pg 809 Ald. Fallon Resolved, that property owners who have not complied with the terms of the Numbering Ordinance be given until April 1, 1912, to secure their new numbers. Adopted.
Street Addresses shall:
(Sec.4.25 of City Code. Street Names)
1. be designated by the City of Grand Rapids
2. begin with number one (1) progressing east or west from Division Avenue or
north or south from Fulton Street
3. have even numbers on the East or South sides and odd numbers on the West or
North
Street Address numbers shall increase:
1. by 800 each mile from Division Avenue or Fulton Street.
2. two digits for each 13.2 feet on one side of a street