Greenwich Village has alleys that remind me of the many old alleys in London. I love exploring these hidden pathways when I find them. They are found in the older parts of many cities. Some were used as passage ways to stables in the rear of houses; and some for rear access to service doors. The word alley is from Middle English from Old French allee meaning to walking passage.
Charles Lane, with its Belgian Block paving, is named for Charles Christopher Amos, who owned the estate where Charles Street and Lane are 10th Street used to be called Amos Street). Charles Lane.
The lane may mark the northern boundary of Newgate State Prison, which stood from 1797 until 1828 when it moved upstate and became Sing Sing.
The author Thomas Pynchon, who wrote “Gravity’s Rainbow”, lived on Charles Lane.
On its West Street end, Charles Lane currently runs between the twin towers of Richard Meier’s glass-faced Perry Street condominiums.
Read about other interesting Greenwich Village alleys at forgotten New York.
Created for Norm’s Thursday Doors March 16, 2017
Sherry Felix - port4u 
Beautiful! These photos make me want to be right there!
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I get the connection with London, especially from that first shot. Is that a little mailbox on the bottom of the door? Cool!
LikeLike
It is a mailbox. Thanks Norm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really nice alley! Few in San Francisco look this nice. I love that shiny black door with the red planters next to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I like it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. Those alleys really make ours look pathetic. Nice door, too 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for taking us down Charles Lane, Sherry; today and in the past as well. Interesting juxtaposition with the Perry Street condominiums.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome. I love to fid bits of interesting history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely a London feel to it, Sherry, and much like many places in Philadelphia. Good reason for that feel since so many of the first colonists were from England. 🙂
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right you are. Probably why a lot of expats from the UK like Greenwich Village.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, thank you so much for this!! I am writing a story, and parts of it is set in New York, and just today I am working on a chapter set in Greenwhich Village! This was perfect to refresh my memory! 💖😊💖😊💖😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to the story.
LikeLike
Thanks! 😊😊😊😊
LikeLike