Philly's historic colonial Elfreth's Alley, invaded by a BMW. What would Paul Revere have to say about THAT? Well FIRST he'd have to get himself out of Boston because...this is Philly.
Elfreth's Alley, the longest continually inhabited residential street in America is a cobble stoned colonial piece of American history which just happens to have a city sprung up around it. Dating back to the early 18th Century, it is named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremy Elfreth and was the home to artisans and trades people who were the backbone of colonial Philly. You know, those butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers.
(yes, I layed on the cobble stone. It HURT)
Now? It's home to anyone who can fork up the beau coup bucks the homes command AND who don't mind living their lives behind permanently drawn blinds due to the curious poking their noses (and cameras) around their homes. You know, those doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives who are the back bone of urban life. Not that I feel TOO sorry for them, the inconveniences come hand-in-hand with mailing address bragging rights. And seriously, you know what you are getting in to, when you decide to live here. The likes of MOI snooping around your front yard for a good photo.
So just what does it cost to own 1400 square feet of American history? This property is listed for $630,000. A real steal because you actually get 1480 feet for that price. So Ms. Frederico, you can thank me at closing, all I ask is a small piece of your commission to buy a macro lens in return for this free piece of advertising. By the way, I did peek in the windows and let me tell ya...this place is cuuuuute! Kudos to the owners for their choice of traditional colonial stainless steel appliances and gorgeous black granite counter tops in the kitchen. I'm sure ANY candlestick maker would enjoy melting their wax in surroundings like that!
What do you get if you live in one of the hot properties on Elfreth's Alley in addition to a multitude of gawkers? A step back into time, and preservation of three centuries worth of cobble stoned streets, old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish brickwork and a multitude of colors and architectural details.
What DON'T ya get? Privacy, and....definitely no where to park that BMW. Which I'm sure would have made Paul Revere smile because he had enough on his plate with the dang British coming. Not to mention severe yearly emotional angst with those Boston Red Sox.
--Kathy
--Kathy
Hi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post and absolutely wonderful pictures. It is fun to see what sits in another state not far away. Thanks for the tour. I hope you get that macro lens too! :)
Beverly
Oh my goodness, you rock!! I was OBSESSED (seriously!) with Elfreth's Alley as a kid, we had to walk around there every time we came into the city, every time! I used to beg my parents to buy a second home there, just so I could play in the private gardens off the alley!! These pictures highlight the historical gem it is!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful shots, Kathy. Right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful neighborhood! It reminds me so much of Old Town Alexandria here in Virginia, which is also filled with gorgeous cobblestoned streets and incredibly expensive properties. Most of which are very narrow and tiny Colonial townhouses with million dollar price tags! Thanks for sharing - as always, your photos are such a pleasure to see.
ReplyDeleteYou DID look it up! Only 630,000? Want to get in a bidding war with me? Great shots - and great post. I enjoyed it immensely, as always :)
ReplyDeleteI looked at the photos of the interior online and let me tell ya....cute! Plus, a little garden and all :) If it weren't for those dang "photographer women" peaking in the windows, I might consider purchasing it with ya :)
DeleteOoooh, I love the historical history of places and I lOvE seeing "Philly" through your eyes. One of these days....I will make it to Mendenhall! Fabulous as always!
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW you have a tour guide ready, willing and able here for ya :)
DeleteCute post. I love Elfreth's Alley. You did it justice. :)
ReplyDeleteOH that is a fun little spot. I love the alley, and pain for a shot that fantastic is well worth it. I love all of these beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the history of all that beautiful architectural detail. It was completely worth it for you to lay on those cobblestones. That is my fave- it's AMAZING!
ReplyDeletemy brother lied in Philly for a while - he loved it there! But missed family too much
ReplyDeleteThis place looks like the motherload of details for photographers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing; your photos are wonderful.
Enjoyed the verbal and visual tour . . .you definitely have a way with words and with the camera.
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos my friend.. I LOVE that black and white shot of the cobble stone street.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Linda
Such a great post! I couldn't help but laugh at your Paul Revere references. :-) The prices/sq foot sounds almost as bad as here. (Where you often you don't have any space to park your BMW either.) Love the shutter stays! So pretty, and so glad you captured the cobblestone streets! Such character!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures, amazing work with stones and bricks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, as always for a little chuckle, and for beautiful photos, and for reminders of the old haunts. I only wish I'd been a photog when I was in to the city with regularity. You are a champ for laying down on the cobblestones. I was laying on the sidewalk the other night when a couple came strolling along. Ironically on their way to a photography class, so they were willing to do a quick low POV pose for me....I'm glad I'm not the only nut around. Happy day Kathy.
ReplyDeleteLooks nice to visit (and take photos of) but I wouldn't want to live there... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Philly, but have wondered streets just like this in Virginia and parts of DC. I like you poked my head in windows and wondered what it would be like to live there with so much history. It is so fun. What a great post ad wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteWow..you certainly captured the essence of this street! I just loved the bold colors and all of the architectural details of these old homes, including the Beamer. Ya know if you purchased that home, you could open it up to the public and charge admission...then your lens would pay for itself!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures as always!
Oh I just love this post....you know how I like to roam the streets...I would definitely be one of those gawkers. You would love the streets of Charleston, also filled with history and wonderful architecture. Trip??
ReplyDeleteTHAT would be fun!
DeleteWhat a great commentary on the alley! I enjoyed your photos and your interesting view of life in a fishbowl! Very pleasant visit!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always Kathy. I absolutely love the new header!!! P.S> thank you for joining in the blog hop fun :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that you laid down on the cobblestone. Girl, you are unstoppable. And I love the darling shots with the bright shutters.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always...Love the cobble stones and the pineapple.
ReplyDeleteI love getting a glimpse of places I never knew existed. The beauty is definitly in the details!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful and I enjoyed learning a bit of history!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Oh this is one of the best and cutest posts I have read in a long time! I will have to remember to make it over here more often (I am in my 50's too and sometimes I seem to be losing my memory, but most times I don't remember hah!) Love the cobblestone and the cute shutters and love that you photographed those! LOL on wanting the macro lens hahahahah I hope you get it! But I doubt she will ever know you even thought of her.
ReplyDeleteLove the mention of where they are going to park their BMW's!
too funny! loved it ♥
Yes indeed, it DOES hurt to lay down on cobblestone. LOL... ;) Absolutely LOVING that yellow cellar door!
ReplyDeleteThese are great! Loved that you got down on the cobblestones for the black and white photo. Go you! :)
ReplyDelete