A colonial lane, officially named East Broadway in 1830.
The street first appeared on maps around 1732 as a lane through the property of the brewer Herman Rutgers; nearby Rutgers Street is named after his grandson, Henry Rutgers. It was officially named East Broadway in 1830. It is not an extension of Broadway, and why it got the name is unclear; most historians think the prestigious name was meant to draw people, who might take it for part of Broadway.