Sir Peter Warren acquired most of what is known as the West Village back in 1731, either through his dutiful service as a pirate for Mother England or on his own as an astute businessman. He amassed five parcels that spanned from Christopher Street to Chelsea (West 21st Street). Upon his death, his three daughters inherited most of the West Village. Many Village streets were named for the extended Warren family including Abingdon Square and Delancy Street, names still in use today. Others, such as Skinner Road and Fitzroy Street were changed to Christopher Street and Waverly Place respectively. By 1819, Abraham Van Nest owned much of the Warren girls land and upon his death in 1864, it was slated for development.

Since then, the Village, like all quality real estate, has grown and changed hands many times. This continues to this day, as does the historic flavor of the irregular patterned streets and off the grid layout that we, as Villagers, cherish. This section of The Village remains the most historic. No building is more historically significant than the Jefferson Market Courthouse (now library) that adorns the corner of 10th Street and Sixth Avenue. Next to the courthouse stood a Venetian Gothic style jail (razed in the 1920's) and then replaced by the infamous Women's House of Detention in 1929. one cannot forget the girls, whose heads could peak out from the barred windows, screaming to their friends, passersby and fellow residents.

Thanks to the 1969 designation of Greenwich Village as an historic district, much of the West Village remains unchanged. Let's keep it that way!