By Lisa Terech, Community Engagement
People who are familiar with Oshawa’s streets might not give a second thought when they approach the intersection of Ritson Road and Adelaide Avenue; to some it may just be a crossing of two major arteries. If you dig a little deeper though, you might be surprised to learn the stories behind these two names, and the names of other streets in our city. Today, we’ll look at the history behind Adelaide Avenue.
Today, Adelaide Avenue is a major east-west road through our city, however the street name itself is just over 50 years old. Before 1959, Alice Street ran east from Mary Street and Louisa Street ran west from Simcoe Street North. If you notice on the above map, the two streets to not meet nor intersect. These names were withdrawn and renamed Adelaide Avenue in honour of Mrs. R.S. McLaughlin. There is a slight jog in Adelaide Avenue at Simcoe Street which resulted from connecting the two streets.
The names Alice and Louisa have not been used since for any roads.
Adelaide Mowbray was born in 1875 and married R.S. McLaughlin in 1898.
The McLaughlin’s were renowned in Oshawa and across the province for their philanthropy and generosity, and Mrs. McLaughlin herself devoted her time and efforts to several causes. Adelaide set out with other women in the community to raise funds for a hospital in Oshawa, and Oshawa General Hospital officially opened in 1910. She founded and served as head of the Hospital Auxiliary for over 50 years. Mrs. McLaughlin also served as Honorary President of the Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation, and she was a proud supporter of the YWCA, Girl Guides, the Ontario Historical Society, Women’s Welfare League, St. John’s Ambulance, and the Victorian Order of Nurses, among other causes. Mrs. McLaughlin’s Chrysanthemum Teas at Parkwood Estate were celebrated events, often hosting over 800 people a year.
There is another street in Oshawa named in Adelaide’s honour.
Alma Street, named circa 1910, is an acrostic formed from the names of Mrs. Adelaide Louise(R.S.) McLaughlin and Mrs. Mazo (Robert): A.L.MA.
These women were essential workers in the fund raising campaign to construct a hospital in Oshawa.
Oshawa Museum Blog 
Reblogged this on Barry Dutton- My Blog.
Love all the Oshawa stuff you post regularly Lisa. Thanks, BD
very enlightening…………i was born in oshawa 61 years ago…i new where adelaide street’s name came from…did not know adelaide st. was once divided into two street names. i do believe that stacy ave. was named after Mr. stacy whom constructed the row houses on olive ave.circa 1922………i do believe olive(ave) was mr. stacy’s wife’s name. let me know please.
Thanks for the comment Deborah.
Yes, Stacey Avenue is named for John Stacey, while Olive Avenue was named for his niece.
I really enjoy reading your posts. Please keep it up.
Hi, Can you tell me how Whibley Street, Henley Beach got it’s name? Is it to do with the Whibley family? Denise Whibley
Wonderful comments about historical Oshawa. Used to live there. The ‘olde’ Oshawa is long gone with “Saywell’s Book Store” and so many other beautiful places.