Spring Street and Greene Street, like many streets in SoHo, were named during the early to the mid-19th century. At the time, the area was primarily a residential district, and many roads were named after prominent landowners and politicians of the day.
Spring Street was named for its location near a natural spring once in the area. The street was also home to several prominent residents, including John Jacob Astor, one of the wealthiest men in the country at the time.
Greene Street was named for Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War general who played a crucial role in several important battles. The street was initially called Elm Street, but it was renamed in honour of Greene in the mid-19th century.
The naming of Spring Street and Greene Street reflects the historical and cultural context of the time they were named. At the time, the United States was a young country, and there was a strong sense of patriotism and pride in the country's history and heritage. Naming streets after prominent figures of the Revolutionary War and other important historical events was a way to honour the country's past and inspire future generations.
Downtown is one of New York City's oldest neighbourhoods, and its streets are a mix of leftover and cut-off roads that have no place in the modern street grid. Elk Street is a prime example, stretching just two blocks from Chambers Street to Duane Street, with the Surrogate's Court building anchoring its southern end. The street ends east of the African Burial Ground, where free and enslaved black New Yorkers were buried from the 1690s to 1794.
Although there is no record of elk roaming in this area, Elk Street was the last remaining stretch of Elm Street, which ran from Chambers Street to Spring Street. In the early 1900s, the city decided to enlarge Lafayette Street and incorporate the existing roadway of Elm Street and another defunct street, Marion Street.
The current name of Elk Street is a nod to the first Elks Lodge, which was organised in 1866 at a rooming house at 188 Elm Street farther north. The first Elks Lodge was a group of "15 actors, members of an informal drinking association called the 'Jolly Corks'," and their declared purpose was the practice of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity. The Elks went national, and in 1939, Mayor La Guardia, himself an Elk, decided to rename Elm Street in honour of the lodge to which he belonged.
SoHo (South of Houston Street) and Greenwich Village are Manhattan's most vibrant and storied neighbourhoods.
SoHo was originally home to factories and warehouses, but starting in the 1960s, artists and other bohemians began to move in, attracted by the cheap rent and spacious loft spaces. By the 1970s, SoHo had become a thriving arts district, with galleries, performance spaces, and studios filling the old industrial buildings.
Artists such as Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, and Richard Serra made SoHo their home, and their work helped to establish the area as a centre for contemporary art. Local personalities like Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe contributed to the neighbourhood's bohemian vibe.
Today, SoHo is still a hub of creativity. Still, the neighbourhood has also become a shopping destination, with high-end fashion boutiques and luxury brands setting up shop alongside the art galleries.
Greenwich Village, on the other hand, has a long history as a centre of political and cultural radicalism. During the early 20th century, it was a hub of artistic activity, with writers such as Edna St. Vincent Millay and Eugene O'Neill making their homes there.
In the 1950s and '60s, the Village became a centre of the beat movement, with figures like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg frequenting local bars and cafes. Later, the neighbourhood became a centre of the LGBTQ rights movement, with the Stonewall Inn riots in 1969 sparking a wave of activism that helped to change the course of American history.
Throughout its history, Greenwich Village has been home to a diverse array of local personalities, from the anarchist Emma Goldman to the folk singer Bob Dylan. It remains a thriving cultural centre, with theatres, music venues, and performance spaces filling the historic buildings that line its streets.
Both SoHo and Greenwich Village are neighbourhoods with a rich cultural and historical heritage, shaped by the diverse array of local personalities who have called them home over the years.
Let's start our walking tour at Lafayette Street and the Little Singer Building in SoHo.
The Little Singer Building is a beautiful cast-iron building constructed in the 1800s. It was initially the headquarters of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and now houses a variety of businesses and residences.
From there, we can walk north on Lafayette Street and take a right onto Prince Street. This street is known for its high-end shopping, including the famous Polo Ralph Lauren store. The brand was named after the sport of polo, and its founder, Ralph Lauren, began his career selling ties in 1967.
Continuing down Prince Street, we come to the intersection with Greene Street, where we can see a beautiful street sculpture featuring bronze bulls. This area is known for its historic cast-iron buildings, which were constructed in the 1800s and featured intricate details and ornate facades.
Moving on, we can turn right onto Spring Street and walk towards the intersection with Greene Street. Here, we can find Time Landscape, an outdoor sculpture created by artist Alan Sonfist that recreates the pre-colonial West Village terrain. The little plot features birch and beech trees, oaks and elms, and woodland with red cedar, black cherry, and witch hazel above-ground cover of mugwort, Virginia creeper, aster, pokeweed, and milkweed.
Continuing, we can take a left onto West Houston Street and make our way towards the historic Isaacs-Hendricks House, which is thought to be the oldest home in Greenwich Village. Built-in 1799 by merchant Joshua Isaacs, the house still stands on the corner of Bedford and Commerce Streets and has been well-preserved by history-minded residents.
From there, we can explore the charming residential enclave of Bedford Street, with its red brick and wood frame homes built in the 1840s and beyond. At the corner of Commerce Street, we can see the Isaacs-Hendricks House once again, where it all began.
This short walking tour offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of SoHo and Greenwich Village, with their cast-iron buildings, high-end shopping, and historic homes.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
