Bethune St, West Village

Bethune only covers a few blocks in the west village. But, like pretty much all of the village, it is beautiful, old and history packed. It starts at the Hudson toward the top of the West Village. The building right at the corner has a ton of history. It is now called the Westbeth but it once used to be the Western Electric Labs. The vacuum tube, radars, sound films, and the first digital computer were all invented in this building. It was also the location of the first television transmission. NBC inhabited this building for a while. It was later turned into an artists' colony where Diane Arbus killed herself.
Right at Washington are some Greek Revival Townhouses that are really beautiful. Jennifer Grey and Walker Evans used to live here. Now, just regular rich people do. Abingdon Square is at the bottom end of Bethune. There's an interesting story behind this place because it was a bit of land given to the daughter of Peter Warren (used to own most of Greenwich) as a wedding gift to the Earl of Abingdon. It's one of the few places in the Village that hasn't had its British name replaced because the Abingdon's helped the Americans in the Revolutionary War. It's not much as far as a park goes but it is a nice place to sit when the weather is decent.

This is a good street, but is mainly residential. There is a good basketball court on the north end of the street, and one my favorite summer passtimes is watching kids play. I wondered how many furture NBA stars were there. There were some girls playing jump rope and hopscotch, and they let me play! I love summer in this city, it's seems like everyone is on vacation!

Bethune Street is close to the following metro stations: 6 at Spring Street, F, J, M, Z at Essex St- Delancey St, and the J, M, Z at Bowery. It is also accessible to many buses. Foot traffic is moderate, and it is a good neighborhood for all people!