Goat Swamp, a name that surprises and even amuses many residents and guests of Penza. This street, located near the city center, has been a topic of discussion and debate for many years. In the early 20th century, the need to rename streets considered to have unpleasant or unsuitable names for the city center was actively discussed in the Penza provincial newspapers. Among such streets was Goat Swamp, which, despite its name, had nothing to do with swamps.

Historically, many streets in Penza were named after their geographical location or characteristics. For example, Upper Pokrovskaya Street got its name from the Pokrov Church located nearby. However, over time, names changed in honor of famous personalities or events. For instance, Upper Peshaya Street was renamed after the commander Suvorov and became Kuybyshev Street. Such changes were intended to immortalize the memory of significant figures and events in Russian history.

Goat Swamp, despite its unappealing name, remained unchanged until the October Revolution. In 1919, as part of a mass campaign to rename streets, it received a new name, Liberson Street, in honor of Naum Grigoryevich Liberson, a member of the Penza Bolshevik committee. Liberson was known as the first secretary of the Penza provincial council of people's commissars and tragically died in 1918. However, the new name did not immediately catch on among local residents, and the old name continued to be used in everyday life.

Interestingly, there was also a place in Moscow with a similar name, Goat Swamp, which is now known as Patriarch's Ponds. This location, situated in the Presnensky district of Moscow, has its own rich history. Until the 17th century, there was indeed a swamp here, used as a dumping ground for waste and for executions. Later, the swamp was drained, and a pond was formed in its place, becoming part of a park complex. Today, Patriarch's Ponds is a popular recreation spot for Muscovites and visitors to the capital, attracting with its picturesque nature and historical atmosphere.

Thus, the history of Goat Swamp in Penza and Patriarch's Ponds in Moscow shows how not only names change over time but also the perception of places in the urban environment. These changes reflect both historical events and shifts in the cultural and social values of society.