How Maine Road got its name

[MCFChistory]

I've just published a story that reveals new evidence about how Maine Road was named.
Details at: http://www.manchesterfootballhistory.com/

The findings are taken from my new book, A Man's Game: The Origins of Manchester City Football Club. I'll be publishing more extracts from the book over the next few weeks.

The ebook version is initially available at a discounted price of £2.50 (the full Amazon price is £3.50). I've also set up an affiliate programme with Mancityfans so if you buy it through one of the links below 10% of each sale will be donated to the forum to help with running costs.

To buy the MOBI version (suitable for all Kindle devices and apps) click here
https://getdpd.com/cart/buy/13901/51376/52140?referrer=KingKev"><img

For the Epub version click here
https://getdpd.com/cart/buy/13901/56736/57749?referrer=KingKev"><img

A paperback version can be pre-ordered at Manchester Football History.

[Alex Sapphire]

so it wasn't because it was on Maine Road then? My research stinks

[Lev Bronstein]

Somebody (not a rag) once told ne that the original name was Dog Kennel Lane. The Didsbury Hunt, Fred Engels was a member) used to keep their hounds there.

Probably bollocks, but you never know

[MCFChistory]

Somebody (not a rag) once told ne that the original name was Dog Kennel Lane. The Didsbury Hunt, Fred Engels was a member) used to keep their hounds there.

Probably bollocks, but you never know

He's right about the original name.

Engels liked to go fox hunting, so may have used the kennels there. Though according to this article he was a Red.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/5263835/Engels-the-Red-who-rode-to-hounds.html

[Lee_R]

Maine Road because it was on Maine Road.. which was named after Maine in Canada.

[Alex Sapphire]

Maine Road because it was on Maine Road.. which was named after Maine in Canada.

USA isn't it? and Moss Side

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Maine Road because it was on Maine Road.. which was named after Maine in Canada.

USA isn't it? and Moss Side

I always thought it was because it was named after the state of Maine. God knows why they'd name a road after that place. Mind you, we do have a history of that type of thing. With the golden eagle on the badge when it should really be a pigeon with a cough, holding a cigarette....

[MilnersJaw]

I thought it was because it was located on a main road

[Beefymcfc]

Itwasn't really a main road, not in the context of things. Manchester has always had a place in America, whether it be from Maine or New Hampshire. The spelling of the name is quite unique though and should be looked in to.

However, it's close to my soul and I remember it for not where it came but for where it became; my second home.

Thank you City.

[MCFChistory]

Here's the main part of my article:

“Maine Road was originally called Dog Kennel Lane, and took its name from the dog kennels that were located there. But by 1876 it was designated as "Domain Road" on ordinance survey maps, a translation of the French word "Demesne" (pronounced "demain" or "deman"). That was the name of a nearby farm, listed as "The Demesne" on an 1843 ordinance survey map.

However, it was still being called Dog Kennel Lane in newspapers, and by locals, some of whom seemed quite attached to the name.

At a meeting of the Moss Side Local Board in September 1876 the local Temperance Society proposed the name be officially changed to Domain Road, but after opposition "the matter was adjourned for further consideration". Soon afterwards abbreviated forms of "Domain" were first used for the road's name. The earliest record of it being called Maine Road was on 24 March 1879, but it was usually referred to as Main Road in reports until 1893, after which Maine Road became the accepted name”.

You can see the 1843 map, and details of a football match played at Maine Road in 1881, via this link:
http://www.manchesterfootballhistory.com/

The theory about it being named after the US state of Maine comes from Gary James's Big Book of City. I'm not sure what the source of his information is though.

[Lee_R]

Maine Road because it was on Maine Road.. which was named after Maine in Canada.

USA isn't it? and Moss Side

I always thought it was because it was named after the state of Maine. God knows why they'd name a road after that place. Mind you, we do have a history of that type of thing. With the golden eagle on the badge when it should really be a pigeon with a cough, holding a cigarette....

Not sure it was years ago I read it.

[frankswift]

Here's the main part of my article:

“At a meeting of the Moss Side Local Board in September 1876 the local Temperance Society proposed the name be officially changed to Domain Road, but after opposition "the matter was adjourned for further consideration". Soon afterwards abbreviated forms of "Domain" were first used for the road's name. The earliest record of it being called Maine Road was on 24 March 1879, but it was usually referred to as Main Road in reports until 1893, after which Maine Road became the accepted name”.

The theory about it being named after the US state of Maine comes from Gary James's Big Book of City. I'm not sure what the source of his information is though.

It is quite possible Gary James is right, as well as you.

The US state of Maine went dry in 1851 (see http://www.state.me.us/legis/general/history/hstry8.htm) which started an association between early temperance legislation (which I understand were referred to as "Maine Laws") and temperance. So it would make sense for a temperance society to want Dog Kennel Lane renamed as Maine Road to draw attention to their cause.

[BlueinBosnia]

Maine Road because it was on Maine Road.. which was named after Maine in Canada.

USA isn't it? and Moss Side

I thought it was named after the Maine Laws(?), something to do with the Temperance Movement.

Edit: didn't see Frankswift's post. Exactly what I thought. I have a feeling it's not the only Maine Road named as such between 1860 and 1900 in the UK.

[MCFChistory]

It's all about the evidence.

It is a matter of record that the local Temperance Society asked for the road to be officially renamed Domain Road. When that name was commonly abbreviated to Main Road it's possible that the Temperance Society added an "e" in reference to the 1851 Maine Law. However, until there is evidence that they did indeed do that, it remains a theory.

BlueinBosnia, if there's a pattern of roads being named "Maine" in connection to temperance societies then yes, that would strengthen the theory. But that evidence hasn't yet been found.

One of the reasons I set up Manchester Football History (aside from flogging my book) is to encourage people to carry out their own historical research. I've been talking to City fans who are currently doing this, and some of their discoveries have been amazing. If anyone on here is interested in investigating City's history, but isn't sure how to go about it, send me a pm. There are some fantastic online archives that are yielding new discoveries, and I'd be happy to send you the links.

[BlueinBosnia]

Here's the main part of my article:

“At a meeting of the Moss Side Local Board in September 1876 the local Temperance Society proposed the name be officially changed to Domain Road, but after opposition "the matter was adjourned for further consideration". Soon afterwards abbreviated forms of "Domain" were first used for the road's name. The earliest record of it being called Maine Road was on 24 March 1879, but it was usually referred to as Main Road in reports until 1893, after which Maine Road became the accepted name”.

The theory about it being named after the US state of Maine comes from Gary James's Big Book of City. I'm not sure what the source of his information is though.

It was already officially called Maine Road in 1881, according to census information.

[BlueinBosnia]

BlueinBosnia, if there's a pattern of roads being named "Maine" in connection to temperance societies then yes, that would strengthen the theory. But that evidence hasn't yet been found.

It's something I heard before, maybe 4-5 years ago. Just checking now, there only seem to be 3 in the UK - ours and 2 in Northern Ireland. I don't really have time to wade through census records (I'm not too clued-up on old counties, also), but if you know of an online resource that would list old street names (from the period I'm talking about - say 1860 to WWI) in a more search-friendly way for this purpose, I'll gladly check it up.

[MCFChistory]

It was already officially called Maine Road in 1881, according to census information.

Interesting. Have you got any more details of that census information? Local newspapers were using both "Main" and "Maine" around that time, and it was still being referred to as "Dog Kennel Lane" as late as 1885. But the census records would be significant.

Information about an official change of name would have been recorded in a local newspaper, but it might take months of research to track it down.

I don't think there's an online resource that lists old street names, but I'll dig around and let you know if I come across one.

[frankswift]

Interesting. Have you got any more details of that census information? Local newspapers were using both "Main" and "Maine" around that time, and it was still being referred to as "Dog Kennel Lane" as late as 1885. But the census records would be significant.

Information about an official change of name would have been recorded in a local newspaper, but it might take months of research to track it down.

I don't think there's an online resource that lists old street names, but I'll dig around and let you know if I come across one.

The following is not evidence, in the way that you have, I expect, carefully built up for your book, but idle speculation.

Main and Maine: I live on a street that ends with an E, but even though I spell it out, over the phone, with an emphasis on the last letter, invariably it is missed out. Couple that with C19th literacy along with the frequency of Main Roads then it is not surprising. And newspapers can spell words wrong. And there are webpages around today where our old ground is spelt 'Main'.

The persistence of Dog Kennel Lane: I still refer to Manchester University as Owen's College (although I freely admit it's a twattish thing to do). I can understand how old names persist, particularly with old bastards like me.

I've also seen spelling mistakes on census records, so other than looking at many census documents I wouldn't put my shirt on any of the hypotheses without wading through the (presumably copious!) footnotes in your book.

[MCFChistory]

The following is not evidence, in the way that you have, I expect, carefully built up for your book, but idle speculation.

Main and Maine: I live on a street that ends with an E, but even though I spell it out, over the phone, with an emphasis on the last letter, invariably it is missed out. Couple that with C19th literacy along with the frequency of Main Roads then it is not surprising. And newspapers can spell words wrong. And there are webpages around today where our old ground is spelt 'Main'.

The persistence of Dog Kennel Lane: I still refer to Manchester University as Owen's College (although I freely admit it's a twattish thing to do). I can understand how old names persist, particularly with old bastards like me.

I've also seen spelling mistakes on census records, so other than looking at many census documents I wouldn't put my shirt on any of the hypotheses without wading through the (presumably copious!) footnotes in your book.

You raise some good points, and yes, spelling in Victorian times was not standardised as it is today. It's also worth noting that in 1876 the official name of the road as recognised by the Moss Side Local Board was different to the official name used in the Ordnance Survey map.

In fact, this is also a good example of how messy history can get. And I can tell you from personal experience that City's early history is by far the most complex and frustrating field of research I've ever come across. My girlfriend, who helped scrutinise my findings, has been a specialist in evangelical history. At times we just had to laugh at the contradictory nature of the primary source material. In some instances (such as the events of 1883-84) contemporary accounts are completely at odds with each other, while the first two written histories of the club, from 1898 and 1906, are hugely contradictory.

Though I guess nothing to do with City is supposed to be easy (apart from the 6-1, of course).

[gary james]

The full story of how Dog Kennel Lane was renamed Maine Road was covered extensively in my 2008 book "The Big Book Of City" - it was because of the Temperance Movement as that book explained and it was tied in with the Maine Law.

I explained that the road was to be called Demesne Road due to its proximity to Demesne farm which appears on maps in my 2003 book "Farewell To Maine Road" but the compromise was Maine Road - There is of course another Demesne Road in the area but that was/is a different road.

I'm surprised this is being revealed as new information now - it was published over 5 years ago in my book and has since been discussed on radio and appeared on various other websites. Manchester Confidential picked up on the story last year: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk ... -City-Game

Worth adding that it was renamed in sections and both Dog Kennel Lane and Maine Road co-existed with the 'top' end of the road renamed in stages before Dog Kennel Lane was eventually cut off from Maine Road (at the end of the present day Maine Rd) when that final stage of terraced housing was built. It's all in the book.

If anyone wants to know more read The Big Book Of City: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Book-City-G ... pg__header

Here's a couple of photos of part of the story in my 2008 book: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... =3&theater

& http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... =3&theater