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

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