Exploring Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia

Elfreth's Alley originated as a cart path between Front Street and Second Street in Philadelphia.

If you’ve ever wondered what a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia looked like during the time of George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Betsy Ross, then you’ve got to check out Elfreth’s Alley.

Elfreth's Alley is a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia with houses built between the 1720s and the 1830s.
Elfreth’s Alley is a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia with houses built between the 1720s and the 1830s.

Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia is the oldest continually-inhabited residential street in the United States!

Elfreth's Alley is a tourist attraction and a rare surviving example of 18th-century working-class neighborhood.
The alley is a popular tourist attraction and a rare surviving example of 18th-century working-class neighborhood.

The first houses on the alley were built in 1702; those still standing today were built between 1728 and 1836.

Elfreth's Alley historical marker.
PA historical marker.

Elfreth’s Alley has been home to artisans, factory workers, laborers, and professionals for over three centuries.

Elfreth’s Alley has been home to artisans, factory workers, laborers, and professionals over three centuries.
The alley has been home to artisans, factory workers, laborers, and professionals for over three centuries.

Of the 32 homes along the alley, 29 are still privately-owned and inhabited.

Elfreth's Alley is known as our nation's oldest residential street.
Elfreth’s Alley is known as our nation’s oldest residential street.

History of Elfreth’s Alley

Elfreth’s Alley originated as a cart path between Front Street and Second Street in Philadelphia.

The first houses on Elfreth’s Alley were built in 1702, and those still standing today date from between 1728 and 1836.
The first houses on the alley were built in 1702, and those still standing today date from between 1728 and 1836.

The Georgian and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement were common in Philadelphia during the late 1700s.

The Georgian and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement of Elfreth's Alley were common in Philadelphia during the late 1700s.
Georgian and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement were common in Colonial-era Philadelphia.

In 1934, the Elfreth’s Alley Association was founded to preserve the alley’s historic structures while interpreting the street’s history.

In 1934, the Elfreth's Alley Association was founded to preserve the alley's historic structures while interpreting the street's history.
In 1934, the Elfreth’s Alley Association was founded to preserve the alley’s historic structures while interpreting the street’s history.

The alley was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 15th, 1966.

Elfreth's Alley was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 15th, 1966.
The alley was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 15th, 1966.

Baden’s Court is an interesting little offshoot of Elfreth’s Alley.

Sign pointing to Bladens Court along Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Sign pointing to Bladen’s Court.

Bladen’s Court is named after William Bladen, a biscuit maker, who owned the property during the early 1800’s.

History of Bladen's Court along Elfreth's Alley.
History of Bladen’s Court.

Bladen’s Court dead-ends into a garden-like cul-de-sac.

Bladens Court is named after William Bladen, a biscuit maker, who owned the property during the early 1800's.
Bladen’s Court is named after William Bladen, a biscuit maker, who owned the property during the early 1800’s.

Directions to Elfreth’s Alley

Elfreth’s Alley is located between North 2nd Street and North Front Street in Philadelphia’s Old City, just a few blocks from The Betsy Ross House Museum.

A map to Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
A map to Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

The Elfreth’s Alley Association operates a small museum at 126 Elfreth’s Alley, open Friday – Sunday between 12 noon – 5 pm, from April-October.

Elfreth's Alley is preserved through the efforts of the Elfreth's Alley Association.
Elfreth’s Alley is preserved through the efforts of the Elfreth’s Alley Association.

Unfortunately on the day I visited Elfreth’s Alley the museum was closed, but having just visited the Betsy Ross House, I felt like I had a pretty good idea what the inside of a Colonial-era Philadelphia home looked like.

The interior of the Betsy Ross House has been decorated in a period-correct manner.
The interior of the Betsy Ross House has been decorated in a period-correct manner.

If you’re planning to visit some of the other nearby historic places in Old City, like Christ Church, make time to visit Elfreth’s Alley as well.

Elfreth's Alley is located near many of the other historic sites in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood.
The alley is located near many of the other historic sites in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood.

Nearby Attractions

Independence Hall in Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States!

Visiting Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Independence Hall.

The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both signed here, and today you can take a guided tour of what is arguably the most important and historic site in the United States.

The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside this room at Independence Hall.
The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside this room at Independence Hall.

The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia uses historic artifacts, dioramas, short films, paintings, and other exhibits to tell the story of the Revolutionary War in America.

Exploring the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
The Museum of the American Revolution.

The Betsy Ross House is one of Philadelphia’s most popular tourist attractions, said to be the site where Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in late May, 1776.

Exploring the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.
The Betsy Ross House Museum.

Christ Church in Philadelphia is famous for its ties to the American Revolution, with many of the Founding Fathers including George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin attending services there, in addition to Betsy Ross.

Exploring Christ Church in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Christ Church in Philadelphia.

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is America’s most-historic (and some say most-haunted) prison!

The halls at Eastern State Penitentiary were designed to have the feel of a church.
The halls at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.

The Curtis Publishing Building was the home of The Saturday Evening Post and is where “The Dream Garden”, a massive Tiffany glass mosaic, is located.

Exploring the Curtis Publishing Building in Philadelphia.
The historic Curtis Publishing Building in Philadelphia.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.