By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Pretty Girl Court, located in the Greenback Wood neighborhood of Citrus Heights, is one of many unusual street names you’ll find in our city.
A look at an older paper city street map published in the 1970s well before the city’s incorporation offers an interesting look at just some of the unusual street names you will find here. Local streets offer a lot of personality, if you know where to look.
Explore the older side streets sometime and you can’t help but smile as you travel south of Greenback Lane, from Auburn Boulevard to Sunrise Boulevard, and bordered by Madison Avenue.
In the Mariposa Estates neighborhood, you’ll find “Our Way” off Farmgate Way. Off Ranch Avenue, you’ll find Larry Avenue and Deedie Avenue. Maybe they knew one another.
And then there’s “Away Way” off Mariposa Avenue, just south of Circuit Drive. Cina Way is also off Mariposa, south of Poppy Way.
Would you see your shadow on Shadow Lane? Might the lucky live on Lucky Lane? Speaking of luck, the “luck of the Irish” might follow you to Dublin, Tipperary, Limerick or Dublin Way.
Nautical types might want to go ashore on Sea Shell Court, Atoll Court or Coral Reef Court.
Adjacent to San Juan Park on Mariposa Avenue, the stars shine on Celestial Way, Pleides Avenue, Sagitarius Way and Capricorn Drive.
The magic and romance of Cinderella lives in a wonderful cluster of streets behind Sylvan Middle School. There’s Witchinghour Court, Midnight Way, 3 Sisters Court and Glass Slipper Way.
Better not be late for the fairy tale ball as you head down Candelight Way, Brocade Drive, Carriage Drive, Grandball Way, Kingsmen Avenue, and Minuet Way.
Can’t tell the difference between up and down? Ask the residents of Down Way and Up Court. Everyone knows when its windy on Wind Way.
There are plenty of names after the ladies, including Linda Sue, Mary Ann, and Guenivere.
Not far from Chesline Drive is the golfer’s delight, Chipping Way.
Those with allergies might want to exercise caution on Pollen Way. Rosebud Lane might be the perfect spot to see spring blooms.
Heading north on Sylvan Road from Greenback Lane and just before Old Auburn Road, you’ll find Feliciter and Catarina Way.
South of Auburn Boulevard, near Sylvan Corners, some say the brave and true live on Gallant Circle and Chivalry Way.
So how do streets get their names?
Former Community Services Director Rhonda Sherman, who retired earlier this year, previously told The Sentinel that street names are chosen by developers, with the city’s role being to check “to make sure there are no streets with the same name or other conflicts.”
One of the most recent streets to be named, Turner Court, was named after the late Councilman Mel Turner by developer Watt Communities.
From June: Turner Court: Street dedication memorializes legacy of late Citrus Heights councilman
As for Pretty Girl Court, City Administrative Assistant Jen Tillery said the street was named before Citrus Heights became a city in 1997 and little is known about the process of street naming at the time.
“Since the naming of Pretty Girl Court dates from the 1970s, the City of Citrus Heights does not have any confirmation as to the process of street names during that time frame and does not have any records indicating why these particular street names might have been chosen,” she said.
Many of the street names in the greater Greenback Wood subdivision bear Native American names, like Broken Bow Drive and Sudden Wind Court. According to longtime residents in the neighborhood, the name for Pretty Girl Court was chosen by the developer, Centex Homes.
What’s the story behind the street name on which you live? Let the Sentinel know. Click here to submit a news tip or a letter to the editor.