The Alley Steps, a set of steep granite steps located between #11 and #15 Washington Street, provides a shortcut to High Street. Traditionally lined with hollyhock flowers, the Alley Steps were once used by fishermen to climb the hill to their fish flakes – fish spread on wooden racks to dry.
![Half way up Alley Steps](http://marbleheadconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/4_alley_steps_2.jpg)
![Alley Steps entrance from High Street](http://marbleheadconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/4_alley_steps_3.jpg)