I share this information from a posting by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation because it is such an interesting urban phenomenon, and because it is unknown here. I am especially taken with the way these very old and historic structures have been adapted over the years to remain viable, overcoming physical limitations far beyond the comparatively simple issues that seem to try and derail preservation efforts here. Also see this related post from another East Village blogger. These were brought to my attention by my daughter Leslie who actually lives in one of the subject backhouses on East 12th Street. Her perception of her modest New York home has been premanently and dramatically changed, as has my own. And she reports that she has enthusiastically adopted the term "Horsewalk" to describe the entrance passage to her apartment.
The photo is from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation's "Off the Grid" blog.
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