Bladen's Court, Philadelphia

Bladen's Court, a charming side alley inside Elfreth's Alley, originated between 1749 and 1752. This nine-foot cartway was created to serve two properties facing onto Front Street, providing their owners with outside access to their backyards. The alley was a collaborative effort between the two property owners, William Rush and his brother-in-law Abraham Carlisle, who each paid half of the costs for paving and cleaning the narrow passage.

The historical narrative of Bladen's Court is enriched by the contrasting political affiliations of its original owners during the American Revolution. William Rush was a patriot, aligning himself with the revolutionary cause, while Abraham Carlisle chose to collaborate with the British during their occupation of Philadelphia. This divergence in loyalties had dramatic consequences, with Carlisle being hanged in 1778 for his collaboration.

In the early 1800s, the alley became known as Bladen's Court, named after William Bladen, a biscuit maker who owned the property during that period.