Stone Street (Manhattan) facts for kids

Stone Street is a popular place for outdoor dining.

This building at 57 Stone Street was rebuilt in 1903.

Stone Street is a small, historic street in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. It used to connect Broad Street to Hanover Square. But in the 1980s, a large building split it into two parts. The old buildings on Stone Street, South William Street, Pearl Street, and Coenties Slip are all part of the Stone Street Historic District.

Discovering Stone Street's Past

Stone Street is one of New York City's oldest streets. It has a long and interesting history.

Early Days as Hoogh Straet

When the Dutch first settled New York, they called this street Hoogh Straet. This means "High Street" in Dutch. In 1632, the Dutch West India Company built North America's first commercial brewery here. Around 1656, the street was moved a bit to line up with another street called Brouwer Street. In 1658, this part of Hoogh Straet became the first paved street in Nieuw Amsterdam.

From Dutch to British Rule

When the British took over the colony, Hoogh Straet was first called High Street. Later, it was renamed Duke Street. This name honored the Duke of York. This was during most of the 1700s.

Becoming Stone Street

In 1771, the street was leveled. Then, in 1790, it was surveyed. In 1794, it got its current name, Stone Street. This was because it was paved with cobblestones. New Yorkers wanted to remove names that reminded them of British rule.

Rebuilding After the Great Fire

A huge fire, called the Great Fire of New York, happened in 1835. It destroyed a lot of old New Amsterdam. After the fire, many new stores and lofts were built on Stone Street. These buildings were used by merchants who sold dry goods and imported items. Most of them were used for storage.

Dutch Revival Architecture

The building at 57 Stone Street was rebuilt in 1903. It was designed by C. P. H. Gilbert. He used the Dutch Colonial Revival architecture style. This style made the building look like the old Dutch buildings. Other buildings nearby on South William Street were also rebuilt in this style. They helped bring back the look of old New Amsterdam.

Stone Street Today: A Lively Spot

For many years, Stone Street was not well cared for. But then, different groups worked together to fix it up. These groups included the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. They turned Stone Street from a forgotten alley into a lively place.

Restored Buildings and Outdoor Dining

Today, the buildings are restored. The street has granite paving and bluestone sidewalks. Old-style street lights add to the historic feel. There are many restaurants and cafes on Stone Street. Their outdoor tables are very popular on warm summer nights.

The Stone Street Historic District

Since 1996, the eastern part of Stone Street has been protected. It is part of the Stone Street Historic District. This area is only for people walking, not cars. The historic district is now filled with restaurants and bars. They offer outdoor dining when the weather is nice. The India House historic landmark is also nearby.

See also

In Spanish: Calle Stone (Manhattan) para niños