Part 4/10:
Historically, stoops were not merely decorative; they played a practical role in urban living. In the 1800s, as New York's population surged, streets became crowded with waste and debris. Stoops provided a raised entranceway, keeping residents above the unhygienic conditions of the public thoroughfares. Their elevated design was especially beneficial for homes lacking back doors or alleyways. Additionally, wealthy New Yorkers opted for separate entrances via stoops to preserve a sense of dignity, distancing themselves from domestic staff.