Powdermaker Road

You can see Powdermaker/Chester Road just above the dotted line of the proposed route for  I-90 in this 1960s-era map

While looking at old maps in preparation for yesterday’s post about Route 83, I happened to notice the name ‘Powdermaker Road’ for part of what we know today as Chester Road in Avon. It reminded me of something I read in the Chronicle-Telegram a few years ago that made me aware of how easy it is for local history to be forgotten.

The article was about how the planning of the new development along Chester Road was bringing to light some of the old legal descriptions of the properties. This resulted in the name ‘Powdermaker Road’ being discussed, and curiosity as to where the name came from.

What was somewhat surprising was that someone quoted in the article noted that the name came from the fact that back in the day when it was just a dirt road, it was often quite dry – and kicked up a lot of powder when traveled on.

While that may certainly be true, a look at some historic maps reveals that the name more likely came from the fact that the P. Powdermaker (also spelled ‘Poudermacher’) farm was located on today’s Chester Road a little east of the intersection with Moore Road.

Here’s part of an 1874 Avon Township map showing the Powdermaker property.

And here’s a portion of an 1896 Avon Township map.

On that same map you can see the beginning of the Powdermaker Ditch as it makes its march to the lake, just north of the Powdermaker property.

I understand that these various ditches (now referred to as creeks) were dug for drainage purposes.

By the time of the 1912 maps series, the Powdermaker name was no longer associated with the farm properties, and today Chester Road seems to be the name of the road from end to end.

A glance at a map, however, shows Powdermaker Creek (or Ditch) running running parallel and just to the west of Moore Road. Where it crosses Pin Oak Parkway, there are still identifying signs.

Today, the Powdermaker name also lives on in the attractive Village at Powdermaker Creek residential development, which is adjacent to its namesake creek.