Elfreth's Alley: Americas Oldest Residential Street

In Philadelphias Old City neighborhood near the Delaware River, close to Interstate

95, is a historic cobblestoned street lined with thirty two houses built in the Georgian and

Federal styles.

Elfreth's Alley is named after Jeremiah Elfreth, a blacksmith and land speculator, who

built and rented out many of the alley's homes.

Throughout the 18th century, grocers, shoemakers, cabinetmakers, tailors and others

who lived at Elfreth's Alley conducted business out of their homes.

Over the decades, Elfreth's Alley lost its importance. In the 1930s, the Elfreth's Alley

Association was founded and they helped save the street from demolition.

Today, Elfreth's Alley, referred to as the nations oldest residential street is a

National Historic Landmark.