ladder street

I go for a jog when I don't have to work - so typically Sat and Sun. From Sheung Wan and Mid Levels are a number of relatively steep stairways or streets. One of them, the longest one which is right by my apartment, is Ladder Street.

I never really paid attention to the name of the street until recently, but this name sounds a bit strange. Chinese name of Ladder Street is 楼梯街. It's literal translation would be "Stairway Street" - probably not "Ladder". I wonder who gave that English name to the street and how.

楼梯街:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=%22ladder+street%22&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

楼梯:
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=%E6%A5%BC%E6%A2%AF&btnG=Search+Images

Ladder:
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=ladder&btnG=Search+Images