Stone Street

Stone Street is a historic district in Lower Manhattan that consists of a narrow cobblestone pedestrian lane running between Hanover Square and Whitehall Street. The row of commercial brick buildings from the 19th century lines a single block and preserves the facades and details of mercantile architecture following the Great Fire of 1835.

The lane originated in 1658 during Dutch colonial times as Breuers Straet and became the first paved street in New Amsterdam. After a fire destroyed the original wooden structures in 1835, merchants replaced them with fireproof brick buildings typical of waterfront districts at that time.

The preserved buildings along the cobblestone lane now hold restaurants and bars that occupy former merchant structures from the 1830s reconstruction. Visitors gather at outdoor tables that fill the entire street during warm weather, creating a social setting quite different from its original commercial purpose.

The district sits within walking distance of several subway stations including Bowling Green, Wall Street, and South Ferry that serve multiple lines. The lane itself is pedestrian-only and works best for a visit during late afternoon or evening when outdoor seating areas open.

The buildings still display curved stone staircases, ornamental cornices, and iron shutters that were typical of early New York commercial architecture. These elements originally served not only decoration but also practical functions for fire protection and goods storage in upper floors.