A new street map

Admiral Digby originally imposed order upon the hills between the Joggin and the Raquette, laying out the town in a square exactly a mile wide with the streets running perfectly north-south and east-west.

It all seemed so civilized. That was 225 years ago. Since then things have gotten a little more confusing.

Water Street is just as often called Front Street or the front street, parts of Water and Prince William are known as the Idiot’s Loop.

There are two West Streets, two Second Avenues, and two Third Avenues.

The Iron Duke, the Cannon Banks, Convent Hill, the Ginker, Jew Cove and Bummer’s Crossing are all landmarks with less and less meaning.

Admiral Digby would be proud of the steps the town is taking to restore order and get things organized.

The new numbering system won’t erase Digby’s past or take the shine off the colourful place names.

People will still use that system of navigation the way people still use Imperial measurements in conversation.

The difference is that those people not familiar with all of Digby’s 200-year history will also be able to find their way around.