It was one of the original streets when the town was surveyed in 1863. Its name was derived from the slang of gaiety, which then  meant happy. Times have changed.

Back then, though, most everyone did not even know the streets had names. Residents received their mail at the post office. It was not until 1925, when street signs were placed. This had to due with the fact that residential mail delivery had been in place for two years prior. As the city grew, so did its problems, even mundane ones. On March 19, 1953 the city adopted a new house numbering system. As with any change, there were always a few who grumbled. Cross streets, whether it be Gay  in uptown or Spring at the east end, would receive new designations of North or South.  Previous to this there had been no distinction.

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