Jefferson Market

Greenwich Village

Art & Culture | History

From Fires to Bells to Jail Birds and Flower Buds this Turreted Beauty is Full of History

Jefferson market courthouse fountain greenwich village

jefferson market courthouse greenwich village

About Jefferson Market

& why it made the Carpe City list

The Jefferson Market is one of the most beloved buildings in the Village, and the best turret on 6th Avenue!
The building dates to 1874, and over the years, has been used as a market, courthouse, and firewatchtower.
The 172-foot high watchtower, featuring a working clock and bell, is nicknamed Ol’ Jeff.
The unusual architectural style is known as “Ruskinian Gothic,” and in the 1880s, a panel of architects voted the building the fourth most beautiful in America!
When the building was a courthouse, Civil Court proceedings took place upstairs on the second floor, where the library’s reading room is now.
Today’s reference room, located in the basement, was once a holding area for prisoners on their way to trial.
Moreover, next door, in what is now the Jefferson Market Garden, there was once a women’s prison.
- The building was the only art deco prison in the world!
- Before it was demolished in 1973, Soviet spy Ethel Rosenberg, and Hollywood sexpot Mae West, arrested for a play she acted in, were both held here.
- Today the land is sustained by local volunteers. You can even book the garden for your wedding!
In 1967, the vacant courthouse was scheduled to be demolished to make way for an apartment complex, but local groups fought for its preservation and renovation.
- It was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1977 currently serves as a branch of the New York Public Library

Carpe City Trivia

Digging all the incredible history of the Jefferson Market Library?

The library has a specially devoted local history section where you can dive further into the history of the building and the neighborhood!

By: Lucie Levine

New York City Tours

Great Places Near Jefferson Market

patchin place blokc greenwich village

Art & Culture

Patchin Place

A Gated Alley of Literary Greatness and Lovely Lights

2 Patchin Pl, New York, NY 10011

Greenwich Village

CO Bigelow Interior greenwich village

Art & Culture

C.O. Bigelow

Historical Apothecary with a Nice Selection of Beauty Products

414 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Greenwich Village

Milligan Place sign greenwich village

Art & Culture

Milligan Place

The Playwright's Courtyard.

Milligan Place 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Greenwich Village

4 charles prime rib exterior greenwich village

Restaurants

4 Charles Prime Rib

Intimate, Charming and Delicious, these Hard to Snag Tables are Worth the Effort

4 Charles St #3004, New York, NY 10014

Greenwich Village

electric lady studios exterior greenwich village

Art & Culture

Electric Lady Studios

'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky

52 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

Greenwich Village

Jeffrey's Grocery greenwich village restaurant

Bars

Jeffrey's Grocery

A notable stop in the West Village for oysters, seafood and wine.

172 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Greenwich Village

northern dispensary exterior greenwich village

Art & Culture

Northern Dispensary

The 19th Century Clinic that Treated Edgar Allen Poe’s Head Cold.

165 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014

Greenwich Village

julius restaurant greenwich village

Bars

Julius

A Pre-Stonewall "Sip-In" for Gay Rights at New York's Oldest Gay Bar

159 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Greenwich Village

Loring Place Restaurant

Restaurants

Loring Place

A Great Vibe with a Fresh & Local Veggie Heavy Menu

21 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

Greenwich Village

More Great Walking Tours

Search our Site

Our Company

Subscribe

Be in the know about all of the latest and greatest places!

© 2022 Icebreaker Entertainment, LLC All rights reserved