Henderson Avenue is named after Sir James Henderson, a Unionist politician who was three times Mayor / Lord Mayor of Belfast and the first High Sheriff of Belfast. He was knighted in 1899. This road was previously known as Crawford's Park Road, and possibly also as Islington Road before that (Charles Burns, mill owner, lived at Islington House in Henderson Avenue, BPU Directory 1901). Because of a name dispute, a change of name was recommended. There was a proposal to change it to (or back to) Islington Road, but ultimately the Council decided to rename it Henderson Avenue in the year that Sir James received his knighthood.
"Mr. Thomas Crawford attended, as to the naming of a street off Cavehill Road, and, after hearing Mr. Crawford, and also a letter read, from Mr. Dunlop, it was. Resolved—That the Council be recommended to name the street Crawford’s Park Road, and Mr. Crawford was informed of this". (22nd June 1898).
"The Town Clerk read letter from Messrs Wheeler & McCutcheon regarding Crawfords Park Road and announced that two deputations were in attendance, the first of these Mr Thomas Crawford appeared and asked the committee not to alter the name of the road and handed in a memorial of owners of property abutting on the road in support of his request. Mr Crawford having retired The second deputation consisting of Mr W M Carson, Mr R. Dunlop and others attended and asked that the name of the Road be changed to Islington Road. The deputation having retired, it was unanimously. Resolved that the Committee having heard both sides of the question see no reason to depart from their resolution naming the Road Crawfords Park Road". (7th October 1898).
“Mr Robt. Dunlop, Mr Wm. Carson & others attended to ask that a street which had been named ‘Crawfords Park Road’ should be altered in name to Islington Road, and were informed that the name ‘Crawfords Park Road’ had been approved by the Council and the committee could not now interfere.” (19th October 1898).