Alleys in America

Why were alleys created? What purpose do they serve?

Back doors for buildings, more windows to let light in, and a place for dumpsters and trash that won’t block a front door right off the top of my head.

Be more specific. In cities, an alley is a narrow space between buildings designed to allow access to the back of the buildings (and maybe to the other side of the block). Sometimes it obtains the status of a named road, other times it’s pretty much just an alley.

In some areas (Texas, as seen on the fine documentary King of the Hill), an alley seems to be pretty much an ordinary street running behind or maybe alongside the houses. Not sure why the particular usage in this case.

Alleys provide access to the rear of buildings. As was pointed out, sometimes an alley is just an open are between buildings, and is designed primarily to provide some light and air as well as passage to the rear. Alleys can also be a street width in size running between the rear of buildings to provide access for parking, sanitation, and fire protection.

In many areas, rear alleys are becoming more and more recognized as civic spaces and are being maintained and beutified. Gone are the dumpsters, super cans, etc. and instead you see landscaping, gardens, and other improvements.

Yep, that’s true. In most newer neighborhoods in Texas, the homes are built with the garages in the rear, accessed through the alley. I think the ostensible purpose is to make the fronts look nicer, with fewer cars in view, no driveways, no garage doors, and no junky garages. I’ve lived in three houses like that, but the problem is that it seems to isolate the neighbors - they come home, go in through the back, and stay there. You rarely see your neighbors out front.

I now live in a neighborhood with front-entry garages, and get to see my neighbors much more often, so I know them better.

We live in a recent, planned development near Tampa. I’ve seen it referred to as a “neo-traditional” community. It was designed so that it’s a mix of single family houses, duplexes, townhouses, condos and apartments. Almost all of the homes have alleys behind them to access garages, trash, etc. The only homes that don’t have an alley are ones that back onto water/drainage areas. Instead of backyards there are squares and common areas. There is a community pool and tennis courts. The homes are all close together and have big front porches and sidewalks, which encourages walking, biking, etc. I’d link a pic if I could find one to give you an idea.

No matter what name they’ve been given they were the rear access lane to the place where the family horse and buggy were put up.

There was a loft for hay and a hanging area for harness etc.

Also the overhead area maintained a living area for the stable servants and"chauffers".

Later those buildings became garages.

The frontal aspect of a row of homes had no driveways to mar the landscape.

Today those alleys which remani are generally access lanes for the trash that’s picked up by the locaL"WHITE PIG" every week.

Alleys?Lanes? Back streets?Mews?---------one of the origins of the sign"Deliveries iin the Rear."

EZ