Ladies’ Mile, Part One — A Nerdy Journey

Come take a slow walk of less than a mile in which detailed attention will be paid to the architectural riches and historic significance of the buildings along Broadway between E 17 and E 23 streets. This stretch of structures — some quite beautiful, some much altered, all rewarding close looking — are included in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. They reveal a lot about NYC’s architectural and commercial history. Among the sites we’ll contemplate are 180-year-old row houses, cast-iron department stores, early “skyscrapers” and the iconic Flatiron Building. Time permitting, we’ll also savor Madison Square Park and its surrounding Art Deco masterpieces.

(A future Ladies Mike walk will cover a second set of department stores, warehouses and showrooms integral to the fashion industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.) Limited to 20 participants.

How to Find Us: Meet in a shady spot on the northern side of Union Square (across from Barnes & Noble on E 17th St.) Public toilets are steps away at the northeastern corner of the park. The meeting point is a short walk from the Union Square subway station where several lines stop.

Please plan to eat lunch prior to the start of the walk at 12:30 pm. We will finish at Madison Square Park on E 23rd St between Fifth and Madison avenues. The N, Q, R, W and 1 trains all stop nearby. $5 for non-members of the New York Outdoors Club.

Kevin J. Kelly 802-989-1669