Leyden Street facts for kids
Leyden Street is a very old street in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was built in 1620 by the Pilgrims. Many people say it's the oldest street in America that has been used all the time since it was built.
When it was first made, it was called First Street. Later, it was known as Great Street or Broad Street. In 1823, it was officially named Leyden Street. This name came from the city of Leyden in Holland. The Pilgrims lived there for a while before they sailed to America.
History of Leyden Street
The Pilgrims started building Leyden Street in December 1620. This was right after they arrived on the Mayflower ship. They landed near a famous spot called Plymouth Rock.
The first settlers built their homes along this street. Their houses stretched from the shore up to Burial Hill. At the top of Burial Hill, they built a fort. Today, a cemetery and the First Church of Plymouth are located there.
A small stream called Town Brook runs next to the street. This stream gave the early colonists fresh drinking water. Important Pilgrims like Governor William Bradford, Dr. Samuel Fuller, and Peter Browne owned land along Leyden Street.
The famous First Thanksgiving feast probably happened near this street in 1621.
Leyden Street is special because it has been used continuously. Other old streets, like some in Jamestown, Virginia, were sometimes empty. But people have lived and worked on Leyden Street without a break since 1620.
You can even see what Leyden Street might have looked like in 1627. There is a re-creation of it at Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum nearby.
Gallery
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Leyden Street, the first street in Plymouth
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First Parish Church at the base of Burial Hill on the town square, is a continuation of the original Pilgrim church
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A view from the fort at Plimoth Plantation, looking down a re-creation of Leyden Street.
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Leyden Street, the first street in Plymouth, as seen from First Parish Church in Plymouth
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The site where the Town House used to be on Leyden Street.
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A plaque marking the Town House site on Leyden Street.
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The spot where Governor William Bradford's home once stood on Leyden Street.
See also
In Spanish: Leyden Street para niños
