Who was Bob Wallace? Find out the namesake of one of Huntsville’s busiest roads

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Do you know who Bob Wallace Avenue is named for? (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

If you have driven through Huntsville, chances are pretty good you have traveled on Bob Wallace Avenue. The road stretches a little more than 10 miles through Huntsville from the top of the hill at Lytle Street to Memorial Parkway (where it becomes Highway 72 East).

I have asked people for years now who the street was named for but have had little luck. Seriously, lifelong Huntsvillians have been unable to tell me who Bob Wallace was. So I did some digging, and found the answer.

Guess who Bob Wallace Avenue is named for…

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Bob Wallace Avenue starts right here on the hill at Lytle Street and continues for more than 10 miles through Huntsville. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

I was under the impression that Bob Wallace was one of the founders of the city, or was a former city leader, mayor, prominent educator or businessman. Or, maybe he was a sports figure or local author. Maybe he was related to former governors George and Lurleen Wallace. But I was wrong.

According to Huntsville historian Dex Nillson, the road was actually 13th Avenue West at one point, and was later named Bob Wallace Avenue in 1958 after the nephew of a builder in the area. That’s the story.

To make matters even more confusing, the name of the builder is not in any public record from the City of Huntsville. We do, however, know that the road’s name was changed as part of the Ordinance of 1958, which changed more than 150 road names in the city.

According to the helpful folks on the Huntsville Revisited Facebook group, a list of street name changes from the Ordinance of 1958 is readily available as a matter of public record:

Be sure to check back every Friday for more info on the namesakes of some of Huntsville’s roads and landmarks. Also, follow us on FacebookTikTokYouTube and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter.

Michael Seale
Michael Seale
Articles: 1984