New York in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Play Street - Little Italy
By Larry Gertner, July 25, 2016
1. Play Street - Little Italy Marker
The marker shows three common street games - stickball, skelsie and jump rope
From the late 1940s to the 1980s, Mulberry Street from Prince to Houston streets in Little Italy often became a “play street” used by the neighborhood’s Italian American youth. Known as “Church Walk” due to the dominance of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and its cemetery wall, the street was a prime location for many street games. These included stickball, a game played with a bat and a pink rubber ball, a “spaldeen.” It is considered to be the most exciting street game ever played by New Yorkers.
Donated by Ciao, Little Italy
The National Italian American Foundation
2011 Andrews Lefevre Studios
Erected by The National Italian American Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers • Sports.
Location. 40° 43.424′ N, 73° 59.735′ W. Marker is in New York, New York, in New York County. Marker is on Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling north
By Larry Gertner, July 25, 2016
2. Old St. Patrick's Cathedral rectory, 263 Mulberry Street
The marker is just visible behind the light stanchion on the left.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Neighborhood - Little Italy (here, next to this marker); “I Absolve You” (a few steps from this marker); St. John N. Neumann (within shouting distance of this marker); Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Order of Hibernians (within shouting distance of this marker); Within These Grounds Are Buried The Pioneering Priests (within shouting distance of this marker); Sisters of Charity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fourteenth Ward Industrial School of the Children’s Aid Society (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New York.
Also see . . . Old St. Patrick's Rectory -- No. 263 Mulberry Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
By Larry Gertner, July 25, 2016
3. Ancillary marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 317 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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