Ludlow Street Jail

Essex Market prisons; the Essex Market Court

Description

New York City's Federal prison. Some prisoners, such as soldiers, were held there temporarily awaiting extradition to other jurisdictions, but most of the inmates were debtors imprisoned by their creditors.

The two most famous inmates of the Ludlow Street Jail were Victoria Woodhull and Boss Tweed.

Opened, 1818

The Essex Market, established in 1818, served as a crucial marketplace for the Lower East Side's working-class residents.

Renovation, 1853

The original structure was replaced multiple times, with a significant renovation in 1853 incorporating a police station, prison, and courthouse. By 1860, the Eastern Dispensary, which provided medical care to the impoverished, moved into the building. Despite its civic importance, the facility faced criticism for poor conditions. Eventually, market operations relocated, and the building's role evolved to meet the neighborhood’s changing needs.

Constructed, June, 1862

The jail was completed in June 1862 constructed of Philadelphia brick ornamented with New Jersey freestone trimmings. The facility contained 87 cells, each about 100 square feet. Long, barred windows provided light and air that was ahead of its time.

Closed, Dec, 1927

After it closed, the site is now occupied by the Seward Park Campus which opened in mid-1928.

Factoids

1856-Essex Market Prison was famous for its large cat population including 'Minnie the Cat'

Related People & Organizations

William Magear Tweed,Arrested for bilking the city out of millions of dollars,

Related Sites

Eldridge Street Jail opens- The jail structure was demolished by 1867, and replaced by a new jail on Ludlow Street.

Images

7 ResultsShow less

Images

7 ImagesShow less

Ornamented with New Jersey freestone trimmings, constructed of Philadelphia brick

Located at the corner of Essex Street Market Place and Ludlow Street

Exterior view, 1895

Reading room and the exterior, 1868

Scenes inside Ludlow Street Jail - The office, Interior of Cell, Grocery Store, Billiard room

The rearrest of William M. Tweed, his present quarters in Ludlow Street Jail

1887

Prisoners brought into Essex Market court

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