Accessibility links
Widow's Walk: Sailor's Friend, or Fire Station? Many older houses along the coast have what are usually described as a "widow's walk." But, contrary to popular belief, these may have been built as much for fighting chimney fires as they were for catching a first glimpse of returning seafarers.

Widow's Walk: Sailor's Friend, or Fire Station?

John Ciardi

Widow's Walk: Sailor's Friend, or Fire Station?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5294965/5294966" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Many older houses along the coast have what are usually described as a "widow's walk." But, contrary to popular belief, these may have been built as much for fighting chimney fires as they were for catching a first glimpse of returning seafarers.