Street of the Week: Yankee Girl Lane

Location: East off Fort Ward Hill Road, just south of Blakely Harbor Park

History: Developer John Green’s deep love of Sparkman & Stephens sailboats led to this road’s name.

The company was founded 75 years ago when self-taught sailor Olin J. Stephens went into business with yacht broker Drake Sparkman. Twenty-one-year-old Stephens shared a passion for naval architecture with his brother Roderick. Rod worked at the legendary Nevina Yard in City Island, New York, and was key in helping Sparkman & Stephens survive the financial storm of the Great Depression.

Since its founding, Sparkman & Stephens has completed more than 2,600 designs, four of which are also Bainbridge street names: Bolero Lane, Charisma Lane, Intrepid Court and Yankee Girl Lane. All four designs are yacht cup winners.

This occasional Islander series explores the history of island street names, as compiled by Elinor Ringland and fellow Bainbridge Island Historical Society volunteers. If you have an island road story to share, email Ringland at elinorjoe@msn.com.