Peaselburg

There's some discussion in the Covington newspapers of the later nineteenth century about the name of the area of Covington known as Peaselburg (the area west of Madison, between 19th and 26th Streets).

Jack Wessling, writing in the Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky, notes that “hundred of geese roamed the city.”  In fact, he says, “the aggressive geese ruled almost every sidewalk, street, and yard in the community.”  He goes on to note in Low German, the word Peaselburg can be translated into “city of goose droppings.” Noted Northern Kentucky historian Bob Webster, however, has consulted German language professors and they say there is no such relation between Peasle and geese.

The Ticket, on September 28, 1876, wrote that if there was a man named Peasle, that he or his descendents "ought to come forward."  They write that "The outside world . . . believe the Peasel part of the name of burg to be merely a joke at its expense.  The article goes on to suggest that the town be named Howellsburg, "after the owner of the farm from which it was taken," or Howardsburg, "after the man whose subdivision comprised most of the place.  They say the area is mocked as "Goosetown" and "Hardscrabble."

Two months later, on November 18, 1876, The Ticket again weighs in, writing that "Peaselburg is about to be swept down the advancing River Lethe by the rising flood of refinement and civilization."  The city was "ashamed of the name of Peaselburg," and had renamed itself Silkyville, but the name "Central Covington" was about to be implemented.

Wessling says that "Wolfsburg" was also considered a potential name in 1876.

Two years later, the Daily Commonwealth, on December 30, 1879, reports that Peaselburg was about to apply to legislature to be incorporated, and suggested the citizens go with the name "Jessetown" for reasons they did not disclose.

The neighborhood incorporated in 1880 as "Central Covington," and dissolved when annexed by Covington in 1906.

sources cited in the text.