It’s settled: Yawkey Way is going back to its old name, Jersey Street.
The decision was unanimously approved by a Boston city commission Thursday, after the long-running debate over the allegations of racism against former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey finally crested.
Now there’s a new question: How did Jersey Street get its name? And why?
Yawkey Way had only been Yawkey Way since 1977, a year after its namesake died. But it went by its original name for at least 80 years prior, predating Fenway Park back to the 19th century, when the Back Bay was gradually converted from a tidal marshland to an actual neighborhood.