Have you ever looked up at your street sign and wondered how your block got its name? I have. Luckily, I stumbled upon the 1978 book History in Asphalt: The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names, by John McNamara (available at the Bronx Library Center's 4th floor reference department.)

This revelatory find is a 522-page tome featuring paragraph-length descriptions of all of the avenues, streets, and neighborhoods in our beautiful borough (up until 1978).

My street, Olinville Avenue, was named after Bishop Stephen Olin of the Methodist Church community. Bishop Olin was the son of Vermont congressman Henry Olin, and would become a lawyer (eventually leaving his practice to become a preacher). Later, he would serve as president of Wesleyan University from 1839-1851.

My mother’s street, Throggmorton Avenue, was named after British explorer John Throckmorton. Throckmorton emigrated to Salem, Massachusetts to escape religious persecution in his native homeland, England. The Throgs Neck community is split over whether "Throgs" should be spelled with one or two 'g's. To get at the answer, Bronx residents might need to read McNamara’s book to learn more about the origins of their community’s name.

The New York Public Library’s very own Throg’s Neck branch has opted to use an apostrophe in delineating the possessive "Neck" of "Throg," (or Mr. Throckmorton’s neck, if you will.) Throg's Neck patrons might be surprised to learn the origin of the name itself goes all the way back to the 12th century, originating from "Throckmertona," an English town that can be traced back as early as 1130.

Perhaps the most fascinating name designated to a Bronx neighborhood is Gun Hill. The name originated from a Revolutionary War battle that took place by present-day Webster Avenue and Bronx River Parkway. When British troops marched up the thoroughfare, presumably towards Bainbridge Road, a group of American soldiers set a cannon atop Gun Hill Road to repel the attack. To think that the Bronx was a battleground where Americans fought to defend the country’s independence later declared on July 4, 1776 is nothing short of astonishing.

What’s behind your street name’s history? What explorer or battle is your neighborhood named after? It’s something to ponder when heading outside and glancing up at your street sign.