Lookout Court, though appearing as a street, is open for foot traffic only. Located in Marblehead’s Historic District near Abbot Hall, this public way narrows to stone steps and a small path between houses that is known as Prospect Alley. The vista offers magnificent views of the town and Marblehead Harbor.
While beginning as a paved street off Pond Street, Knight’s Hill Road quickly turns into a narrow dirt and gravel path leading down a steep hill between houses. The path exits at the corner of Dunn’s Lane and Elm Street, directly across from the Elm Street Alley. (See below.) Together, Knights Hill Road and Elm Street Alley offer a short cut from Redd’s Pond to Washington Street.
Hollyhock Lane begins as a narrow flagstone path located close to a house and becomes a grassy lane ending in a driveway on Merritt Street. This short public way is accessible from a small private parking lot off Circle Street, near #116 Front Street.
The entrance to Gingerbread Lane, which looks like a country lane, is found on the left off Beacon Street, just past Little Harbor. This narrow dirt road leads to a fork; bear left towards Old Burial Hill and Redd’s Pond. Continue straight along a grassy path bordered by a stone wall on the left. This path becomes a narrow paved road at the point where it turns right before ending on Norman Street. Cross Norman Street and continue up Gingerbread Hill (See second map below) following it around to the right at the top of the hill. Continue along until you arrive at #26 Gingerbread Hill. To the left of this house you will find a well-defined 10-foot path leading between two stone walls. Follow this path across the open area and down the hill to return to Norman Street.
Gingerbread Lane
Mechanic Street to Market Square
This public way near the Old Town House at #4 Mugford Street begins as a paved pathway divided by a wooden railing. The alley leads uphill to stone steps with a rusted iron railing, exiting at the top near #22 Mechanic Street.
Elm Street to High Street
Across from #17 Elm Street, just west of the corner of Elm and Dunn’s Way, are seven stone steps leading to a small landing then four more steps. From there the alley becomes a partially-paved, mostly dirt path up a hill to High Street where one encounters a stone wall. While appearing to be private property, with abutters storing boats on either side of the path and cars parked at the High Street entrance, it is nevertheless a public way.
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.
