Alexander's Alley

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

What was here before?

Jordan L. Mott (1798-1866) was largely responsible for the economic and residential development of this area. Inventor of the coal-burning stove, cupola furnace, and various modern kitchen and bathroom fixtures, Mott purchased the land west of Third Avenue in 1841. Establishing an ironworks where present-day Third Avenue meets the East River, he developed the remaining land into a small suburban neighborhood, called Mott Haven, for local industrial workers and their families. Encouraging additional commercial growth, Mott also built a nearby canal and successfully advocated the extension of the Harlem River Railroad (later known as Metro-North’s Harlem Line) through Mott Haven. Within a short time, Mott Haven developed into a significant Bronx residential and industrial area renowned for its booming manufacturing industry.

How did this site become a park?

NYC Parks purchased this small plot of land in 1937 and the park opened a year later as the Mott Haven Health Center Playground. It was reconstructed in 1964 and reopened as a sitting area that offers a serene, secluded setting for the public with green benches, checker tables, and small gardens.

Who is this park named for?

Alexander’s Alley is named for a family of Mott Haven landowners and developers, Robert, Ellen, and their son Edwin Alexander.