Elfreth’s Alley

On By nationalparkswithtIn Pennsylvania

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Dating back to 1702 Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest continuously inhabited street in the USA. There are 32 houses on the Philadelphia street which were built between 1728 and 1836. Numbers 124 and 126 house the Elfreth’s Alley Museum.

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The street is named for Jeremiah Elfreth, one of the blacksmiths who contributed his land to found a neighborhood for tradesmen close to the Delaware River waterfront. As industry changed, factories sprang up around Elfreth’s Alley, making it obsolete. In the 1930s, the Elfreth’s Alley Association formed to save the neighborhood from demolition.

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Now a National Historic Landmark, homeowners are required to maintain the buildings’ exterior in original condition. Many have modernized the necessities in the interior (kitchens and bathrooms) but have kept up the original fireplaces and such.

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Location: 124-126 Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Designation: National Historic Landmark

Date designation declared: 10/15/1966

Date of my visit: October 15, 2015

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17 thoughts on “Elfreth’s Alley”

  1. I’ve been there and did make a Post about Elfreth’s Alley when I was visiting Independence Park last Summer. I noticed that one of the old homes was for sale. Wonder what the price of that was? It was interesting to walk a street that has been there since the 1700s.

    Reply

      1. Yes, it would be sort of nice, but the expense of keeping up that kind of property might be interesting. They are not allowed to paint the homes just any color. What ever is going to be done must be cleared by the Historical Park Service first.

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