"That the Council be recommended to change the name of that portion of Garfield Street between Royal Avenue and North Street to Garfield Street Lower". Minutes of TIC 29th December 1897.
The street was originally called Bell’s Lane which took its name from the brewery that was there at that time. It was redeveloped in 1892. This street "received its name from James Abraham Garfield (1831-1881) inaugurated President of the United States, March 4, 1881. His assassination in the autumn of the same year sent a thrill of horror throughout the world, when Royal Avenue was formed just prior to this happening one of the streets laid on the ground cleared by the demolition of the old unsavoury streets and entries was named Garfield Street after the American President. Only Upper Garfield Street had been built, and not all of it in 1884, Lower Garfield Street was not completed by 1887. The President's tragic death caused a spate of Garfields. There was a second Garfield Street, off Blythe Street, Sandy Row, a Garfield Terrace, Antrim Road, and another Garfield Terrace on My Lady's Road all in 1884 or earlier". (Belfast Street Names. John J. Marshall).
"That the Council be recommended to change the name of that portion of Garfield Street between Royal Avenue and North Street to Garfield Street Lower". Minutes of TIC 29th December 1897.
"Letter read from Mr James Boyd of Messrs Boyd Bros in reference to the proposed change in name of portion of Garfield Street between North Street and Royal Avenue. Resolved That the subject of the letter be noted on the Summons paper for next meeting, and that the Surveyor be instructed to inform Mr Donnelly, and other parties interested, that the question will then be considered". (2nd February 1898).
"Mr Boyd of Messrs Boyd Bros attended to ask that the name Garfield Street be retained for the portion of that street between Royal Avenue and North Street, and that the other portion be named Upper Garfield Street, and he was informed that the Committee could not see their way to alter their previous decision with regard to the naming of that street". (9th February 1898).
"Garfield Street – Proposed re-Naming.
The Surveyor reported that prior to December 1897, the whole of the thoroughfare between North Street and Smithfield was known as Garfield Street and in December of that year the portion between North Street and Royal Avenue was re-named Lower Garfield Street. He further explained what alterations would be necessary in regard to the re-numbering consequent on another change. Resolved – That the present names of the thoroughfares mentioned remain". (10th February 1925)