How did this historic Abilene boulevard get its name?

Have you ever given a second thought to where Judge Ely Boulevard got its name? Who was Judge Ely, and why did Abilene honor him with a grand boulevard?

Judge Walter Raleigh Ely Sr. went from county attorney to district judge to Texas Highway commissioner in the span of his long life here in the Big Country. While he is not an Abilene native, he called it home for nearly 60 years.

He even braved a 40-mph dust storm in the fashion of true Abilene weather to witness the historic naming of his boulevard that crosses Abilene from north to south.

From humble beginnings to the 42nd District Court

Ely was born in Kentucky in 1879 before "finally settling on a farm in Callahan County in 1895," according to "Abilene History: In Plain Sight" by Jay Moore. Ely was the youngest of 10 children and was destined to make his mark far from home.

Ely went on to pass the Texas bar in 1903 and was later elected county attorney before winning a seat as county judge in 1912.

He finally settled in Abilene in 1919 when then Gov. William Hobby appointed him to fill a vacant judgeship in the 42nd District Court, according to the Texas State Historical Association .

His most notable court case was a trial for the murder of cattle inspectors in Gaines County, according to the association.

Apparently, he took his seat quite seriously, however, as he was quoted in a 1921 Abilene Reporter-News article as saying, "I am sure that those who are inclined to laugh have not been at this trial before and heard what I have said about order being maintained."

Ely went on to remark that he would fine the first person he caught laughing $50.

That fine would be the equivalent of $887.20 in today's dollars, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .

The 42nd District Court judge seat is now occupied by Judge James Eidson who will retire soon, and new judge Arimy Beasley will hold the gavel come Jan. 1.

Beasley will likely make more per year than Ely did.

Ely made $4,500 per year during his eight-year judgeship, according to "Abilene History: In Plain Sight." In 1927, however, he gave that up to make only $1,000 per year on the Texas Highway Commission after being appointed by President Calvin Coolidge.

Highway architect to roadway famous

Under Ely's leadership of the Texas Highway Commission, "a new road system began to emerge throughout Texas, with wider pavements and expanded right-of-ways," Moore said in the book.

Ely also worked to beautify Texas roads by planting nearby trees and installing roadside parks.

During his tenure on the commission, he also practiced private law and "served as chairman of the Taylor County gasoline and tire rationing board" during World War II, according to the historical association.

In celebration of his dedication to the city, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce decided to honor Ely with a road name grander than expected.

Technically, boulevards have a dividing strip down the middle, but the chamber decided that "boulevard" had a nicer ring to it when paired with "Judge Ely," according to Moore's book.

Initially, they planned on "North Judge Ely Boulevard," but then-City Councilman Scott Taliaferro raised the question of if it would even fit on a sign. The street was thereby dedicated "Judge Ely Boulevard" on April 3, 1974, in conjunction with a citywide celebration of his 95th birthday.

The dedication and celebration even occurred during a 40-mph dust storm, but it could not stop the wide grin on the judge's face.

So "Judge Ely Boulevard" it was and will stay in honor of Abilene's own district judge and roadway architect who helped shape the way our highways are today.

Ely lived to the grand age of 99 — just two months shy of his 100th birthday — and died in his beloved Abilene on Jan. 31, 1978.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: How did this historic Abilene boulevard get its name?