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WHAT'S IN A NAME: MAY STREET and MAY AVENUE
By Sandra Clark

There are two streets in Naugatuck that bear the name May. One, May Street, is located on the East Side of town, starting on Maple Terrace. It is one of the longest streets in the Borough. It ambles up the hills of Naugatuck, winding and curving its way until it reaches Maple Hill.

The other, May Avenue, is located on the West Side of town branching off from the second plateau of Millville Ave. It makes a short straight run intersecting New St. and Grove St. and ending at Chestnut St.

It is believed that these streets were named to honor James O. May a local druggist. His apothecary was established in 1870, and was located on Water Street. It carried a complete line of drugs and non-drug items. It also boasted a large cumbersome soda fountain.

May was not only a retailer but also possessed a unique sales technique sitting behind the reins of a yellow horse drawn wagon, he made the rounds of the Borough to bring the store to residents who couldn't get to the store.
May was more than a druggist. He later, opened the Diamond Laboratory Co. in Waterbury, where he made ginger ale, cough medicine, soap, and a wide variety of patent medicines.

His biggest success was "Mays Compound" known as Diamond Marshmallow Cream, an emulsion reported helpful in curing sore throats and lung disease. It soon became a standard household item in the area. The company maintained its prestige and lasted well into the 20th Century.·

Taken from the April 2003 issue of the NHS Newsletter