Saturday, October 14, 2017

ELFRETH'S ALLEY

Townhome on Pine Street

Now before you think this is going to be some sordid, tawdry story of the Mistress up to mischief in a alley, get your mind out of the gutter!!! For once, it's not! Last week, I took off a day since I was close to over hours with an event we had set up and get ready for earlier in the week. So I slept in, then thought I head into Philly with no real plans, except maybe to just mill around and see where the day took me. And this time it took me to the lovely Elfreth's Alley , in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. It was a perfect fall day to do so too. It lent itself good to snap some pictures. These...I played around with my filters on my new camera. Elfreth's Alley is a historic street in Philadelphia which is referred to as "Our nation's oldest residential street," dating to 1702. As of 2014, there are 32 houses on the street, which were built between 1728 and 1836.

Elfreth's Alley is named for Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith and property owner. Among the alley's residents were tradesmen and their families, including shipwrights, silver and pewter smiths, glassblowers, and furniture builders.

Present-day Elfreth's Alley is the product of cycles of urban renewal and decay as well as historic preservation efforts. The alley is a tourist attraction and a rare surviving example of 18th-century working-class housing stock. The site stands in sharp contrast to the more frequently preserved grand mansion houses of Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood. Either way it is a pleasant jewel to see if you get to Philly. Afterwards I went to a favorite of mine the Dandelion Pub.
Great scenery and enjoyed a nice flight of ales. I have also been for their very nice afternoon tea, which is a delight in the fall and winter.
I took the train in, so I later visited the gay haunt U-Bar while I killed time waiting for my ride out. A lovely Latin guy named Jairo bought me two pints...very nice time. Missed my train, so had to wait for the next....but that's a story for another drink dears.

36 comments:

  1. we DO have it all in the city!

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    1. We could never leave the city...literally.

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  2. Loves, loves, loves the street! Reminds me of England.
    Glad you had a fun weekend. :-)

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  3. Interesting to see the "pre-Union" (i.e. no Cross of St Patrick; before the Act of Union 1800) Union Jack flying... Jx

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    1. There are several of them. Not one you see to often.

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  4. So quaint! What a place for a stroll, sordid or otherwise!

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  5. Right in my own backyard and I hardly ever think to go there. So much to do and see in this great city.

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  6. Vey picturesque with quaint shuttered windows and traditional brickwork. Love streets like that.

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  7. This street is really lovely! What a row of charming homes. I can't believe people actually live on this street. I love a good beer flight too.

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  8. What a quaint and extremely appealing neighborhood. I love the autumn decorations!

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  9. One of my favorite place in the city!!! never miss an opportunity to swing by this quaint alley. Reminiscent of England, they have kept this street beautifully maintained, with cobblestone lined and with turn of the century homes.

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    1. Your right. It been very well preserved...hard to believe it's as old as it is.

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  10. How cool! Walking down the cobblestone road and thinking back to how life was, would be an interesting experiment. I can't imagine how pretty it will look once the leaves change.

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  11. Boy...you sure do make me homesick for the East Coast. Nobody does history better than in Philadelphia and DC. Great post. I love also playing with filters....great touches.

    The pub looks great!

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  12. Elfeth's Alley is an adorable street in Old City. If I remember correctly, it's a great thing to see as not many people venture that way to see it. Most want to stay around the liberty bell and Independence Hall.

    A few pints in the pub would be fun. What a lovely place.

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    1. Your right. Always huge crowds at the listed places you mention...this is off the beaten path. Not so much to see as photo moments, but worth a look see.

      Dandelion is one my favorite places to dine and take a pint.

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  13. Aside from the shutters and those coal chutes/cellar door thingies, Elfreth's Alley could be in Norwich! A lovely area to wander around in. I bet the working class can no longer afford those abodes, though?

    Jairo wasn't the reason for you missed train, was he?

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    1. Well, you'd feel at home here then right? It would figure it reminds you of Norwich. Most of the European settlers, and England in particular settled in Philly and Bucks County when they crossed the pond.

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    2. And yes...a man always makes me late!

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  14. guy named Jairo bought me two pints...very nice time. Missed my train, so had to wait for the next....we would mind hearing that story though!!!!!!

    But the pictures are very nice for now.

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    1. Oh... I really couldn't dispel.....I'm much to shy......

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  15. Pebbles streets, old row homes, I love seeing sites like this. Philly is one of those cities where it's over whelming with things to do and see. And don't get me started on the pub!!!

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  16. This street is adorable!!!!! I imagine the fall only enhances the feeling?

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  17. That is another story, is a wonderful way to leave us hanging,

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  18. Talk about taking a stroll back in time! The Dandelion has my name all over it.

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  19. Historic and photogenic!!! Very nice.

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  20. I love the alley and the pictures. People still live in those homes? If so, I wish we could see what the inside of one of them looks like.

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    1. There is actually one home you can tour, but yes, people still live in them and they sell, when on the market for around $425,000-$625,000! Pocket change I tell ya.

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    2. $625,000 is £472,000 in proper money, which might buy you a studio flat in Zone 5 in London. A Victorian terraced house across the road from us (Zone 2) - which is literally falling down, with broken gutters and brambles growing out of the walls - recently sold for £750,000 (that's $991,000)! A Georgian townhouse like those anywhere near the City would probably be £5million or more... Jx

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    3. @Jon same here. Real estate in Philly is crazy too. I was very shocked these homes were that price. Most homes and glorious brownstone or sand stone tonwhomes are well over 1.5 million and up.condos in highrises are just as steep. A friend of mine rents a apartment, a two bedroom for about 2,500 a month!!!! With the right real,estate agent and a good search, I have heard of people finding a good deal on a gem.....with some tlc required

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  21. As it could pass for 19th century London, it would be a very good place to film a Sherlock Holmes movie, or something by Dickens.

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    1. At Christmas they did have "Dickens inspired" characters walking about, singing and giving tours.

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  22. A virtual time warp.

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  23. Cherish those places. Here on the West Coast, nothing like that is preserved for posterity. The motto here seems to be "blow it up and build new."

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  24. I'll tell you...the Olde City is simply a must when in Philly. One of my favorite parts.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!