Stone paved streets — most colloquially called cobblestoned streets, though many are actually made of Belgian granite block — can be found all over the city.

Broad Street (Philadelphia)

Elfreth’s Alley is a historic street in Philadelphia, dating back to 1703. There are 32 houses on the street which were built between 1703 and 1836. The Elfreth’s Alley Museum is located at #124 and 126. The alley is a National Historic Landmark.

Named for blacksmith and property-owner Jeremiah Elfreth, This street is the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited street. Cobblestone and red brick still line the street as it did nearly 200 years ago. Like most cities of its age, Philadelphia’s streets were once all paved with cobblestone.

Since then, the redesignation of the northern section has been undone, so the entire Street from Threadneedle Street up to Liverpool Street is now known as Old Broad Street.

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The designation is part of the organization’s Great Places in America program. According to a release, Broad Street was selected for its “historic charm, architectural heritage, diversity of uses, and pedestrian orientation.”

The new territory, Pennsylvania, served as an early safe haven for religious, racial, and gender equality, Quaker ideals which Penn wove into his concept for the design of Philadelphia. The plan was centered on a 1,200-acre plot, laid out by surveyor general Thomas Holme in 1682.

The long standing theory is that William Penn, the founder of the state of Pennsylvania, named these streets after trees as a nod to his love for nature. Penn used to always boost about our beloved state’s beauty and call it a “Greene Countrie Towne,” Philadelphia Curbed says.

Most strictly defined, cobblestones are rounded, water-worn stones used to pave streets. They were traditionally set in sand and sometimes bound with mortar. And there were many advantages to using them. Cobblestone streets did not develop ruts, nor did they get muddy or dusty, like dirt roads.

The Old City Redevelopment Area is bounded by Vine Street, the Delaware River, Lombard Street and 7th Street. The Old City Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Home to more than 3,000 people since 1702, the street today holds 32 houses built between 1728 and 1836. Old City is one of Philadelphia’s popular nightlife destinations, with lounges, dive bars, and quality restaurants, mostly along the three blocks from 3rd and Market streets to Front and Chestnut streets.

Welcome to the Philadelphia Historic Streets Index This index was compiled from the original road records, docket books, jury decisions, and surveys held by the Philadelphia City Archives.

From these sources the Philadelphia Department of Streets developed and maintains its comprehensive survey of official road records for the City. Changes to the names of certain streets, alleys, and courts were first effected by an ordinance dated September 1, 1858.