Norristown Renames Street After Hometown, Pioneering Olympian

NORRISTOWN, PA — Norristown is honoring one of its hometown heroes, an Olympian, track star, and trailblazer who paved the way for countless others in his sport.

The intersection of Brown Street and Coolidge Boulevard has officially been renamed Josh Culbreath Boulevard. The municipality will honor Culbreath during a special ceremony on Wednesday.

Culbreath was born and raised in Norristown and won a bronze medal in the 400 meter hurdles at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic games.

In addition to his Olympic medal, Culbreath won three USA national titles and three Penn Relays 400 meter hurdles titles from 1953 to 1955, two Pan American Games gold medals in 1955 and 1959, and set the world record in the event in 1957.

He did it all while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"I made a difference representing my country," Culbreath later said in a biography, 'The Olympian Leap.' "And I think I represented it well."

A special red street sign has already been installed at the intersection.