Do you know the stories behind Edmonton's place names? Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie tells you the who, what and why behind the signs on Edmonton's streets, parks, neighbourhoods, subdivisions and other features, including bridges, walkways, cemeteries, ravines and waterways. By exploring the people, the events and the natural features that inspired Edmonton's place names, the history and development of the city's areas unfold. Why did Harry Belafonte always ask for Zoie Gardner when he visited Edmonton? Because Zoie had a heart bigger than the 13-room house she shared with her foster children. At one point 24 children were under her roof! Who built Edmonton's first stadium? Edmonton's most indefatigable politician, Mayor "Fighting Joe" Clarke persuaded the prime minister in 1930 to lease land to the city for an athletic park for one dollar a year. Did you know that Farnell Close is named after a spy? Peggy Farnell worked as an agent for the British Secret Intelligence Service during WWII. Why is a park in Strathcona named "Big" Miller? Clarence Horatio "Big" Miller was a renowned jazz trombonist, blues singer and educator. Do you know the tragic story behind the gold watch presented to Olympian Alex Wuttunee Decoteau by King George V? During WWI, Sgt. Decoteau, Canada's first Aboriginal police officer, was killed by a sniper who stole the watch. It was returned to Decoteau's mother in Canada by his fellow soldiers. Who was the author of a pageant for Edmonton's golden jubilee? In 1954, Elsie Park Gowan wrote "Who Builds a City," which traced the city's growth through the story of one family. How many Grey Cups did legendary football player Jackie Parker lead the Edmonton Eskimos to? In 1954, Parker recovered a fumble in the last minute of the game and went on to win the Grey Cup, the first of his three championship titles.

City of Edmonton's profile page

"In sum, Naming Edmonton is a beautifully illustrated, information-rich tome that can be used as a research tool or simply as a way of becoming acquainted with the individuals and events that shaped Alberta's capital city." John Steckley, Canadian Book Review Annual, 2004

"Naming Edmonton is more than just a reference guide to place names; behind these names are stories of people and events that have shaped all aspects of Edmonton history and transformed it from a fur trading post into the bustling metropolis it is today. What a wonderful tribute to Edmonton's centennial." The Foundation (Fort Edmonton Park Magazine), Winter 2004/05

"What's in a name? As the just-released book Naming Edmonton so abundantly illustrates, the labels we affix to our streets, parks and neighbourhoods are more than just mere identifiers. The names, from Abbotsfield to Zoie, offer snapshots into the history of the city, its people, its traditions and its growth....How the book came to be is just another remarkable Edmonton story. Those who made it happen deserve our collective appreciation." Lawrence Herzog, Real Estate Weekly

"In this attractive, accessible reference, alphabetical entries, illustrated with high-quality, sepia-tinted historical photos, explain the origins of place names derived from nature, people, events, and other cultures in the Canadian city of Edmonton. An introduction overviews the history and growth of the city, and a chronology and color maps provide further reference material." Reference & Research Book News, November 2004

"Naming Edmonton is a historical road map and reference book that briefly names the rich and locally famous, like the Groats and the Olivers, but Edmonton's streets were occasionally also named for coal miners, baseball enthusiasts and philanthropists. The fact that it's current to 2003 brings all the people and places close to home and makes today's events seem part of history." Susan Jones, The St. Albert Gazette

"Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie was compiled by the Historic Sites Committee of the Edmonton Historical Board and presents background information on over 1300 sites in the city of Edmonton, Alberta along with 300 photographs and detailed maps. Entries are arranged alphabetically, each with a simple, straightforward vignette concerning how a given locale got its name or the individual it was named after. As Edmonton now celebrates its 100th anniversary as a city in 2004, Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie is a welcome contribution to local history and folklore." Michael J. Carson, Reviewer's Bookwatch

"The importance of the [Naming Edmonton] book, and its initial popularity with Edmonton book buyers, has much to do with the intensely powerful role the names of civic landmarks play in the lives of citizens, and the role name-giving plays in recording a local historical narrative." Gilbert A. Bouchard, Folio Magazine

"...I wish other cities had books of the calibre of Naming Edmonton.[it] is a splendid work and has pride of place in the toponymy section of my personal library.The range and choice of illustrations adds immensely to the book's readability, as does the layout which is easy on the eye. Naming Edmonton makes me want to get to know your city really well!" Ian Kendall, Victorian Committee of the Australian National Placenames Survey, Melbourne, Australia

"...a richly designed hardcover filled with local trivia and history." Lisa Gregoire, Quill & Quire Magazine, November 2004

"More than a decade of effort has culminated in an important addition to the published historical record of the City of Edmonton. Each story is a bright piece of the colourful historical and cultural mosaic which represents our history." Ken Tingley, The Edmonton Journal

"Here is an impressive book with more than 300 photographs and references to 1,300 streets, parks, bridges, etc. produced for the city's 100th anniversary." Alberta History, Winter 2004