I am writing about this not only because of the tragic collapse, but because the bridge is a Baltimore landmark that I have driven over and sailed under more than just a few times. As he often did with brand new construction around the city (and even older things that he wanted me to see), … More The Francis Scott Key Bridge – Baltimore’s Key Bridge
Hammerjacks. Ah. Yes. That place. Considering it opened 45 years ago – to my mind that makes it historic, and it was a major part of Baltimore’s music scene – especially in the 80’s, so I’m writing about it. The sign was visible when you came into the city from the south on I-395. From … More Hammerjacks
About the country’s very first cathedral. – For Clare Know in Baltimore as “The Basilica” or “The Baltimore Cathedral”– the structure’s full name is The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the first cathedral built in the United States after we became a nation. While not … More The Basilica
I was asked if I could do a bit of research on the Sandtown-Winchester-Harlem Park-Pennsylvania Avenue neighborhood in West Baltimore, so here goes. That and the fact that my grandmother and her family lived on Mount Street, very near there kinda kicked me in the rear to do this. That and a lovely neighbor’s family … More West Baltimore, Sandtown and The Avenue
Baltimore’s Historic Hotel and one of it’s creepiest. My granddad was the Associate Treasurer for years. Designed by William Lee Stoddart, a Columbia University graduate, the Lord Baltimore Hotel opened in December of 1928 on New Years Eve. WBAL (yes the radio station was around in 1928) broadcast the festivities which included Maryland’s governor, Baltimore’s … More The Lord Baltimore Hotel
Is in Baltimore. 3220 The Alameda, Baltimore, MD 21218 As folks can tell I am a complete sucker for all things old and Baltimore City College High is no exception. That and the fact that my father attended high school there makes it a pretty cool place for me. I’ve been in the building a … More One of the Country’s Oldest Schools
The Plug Uglies? Were actually a Baltimore gang. Surprised? Me too. As promised – a little bit about Baltimore’s historical gangs. If anyone has seen Martin Scorsese’s 2002 film, Gangs Of New York, it was a pretty brutal accounting of the New York Draft Riots in 1863 and other various and sundry gang activity in … More Gangs of New York…er I mean Baltimore
Two ships? Did you know? US Frigate (1797-1853) The first ship given the name Constellation was built in 1797 by David Stodder and Thomas Truxtun at the Sterret Shipyard in Baltimore and was launched September 7th of that year. The shipyard was marked by Harris Creek (a tributary of the Patapsco) in what is now … More USS Constellation
I’ve decided to write a blog post about Goliath simply because while writing about the Baltimore Fire and searching for photos, I remembered the stories that my grandmother used to tell me about the positively enormous fire horse. Some of this will be a rehash of some of the things I wrote about in the … More Goliath – Baltimore’s Horse (1893-1913)
I feel compelled to write about the Baltimore Fire, not just because it was awful and terrible and burned most of what is now Baltimore’s business district to the ground, but because my family was directly involved. On Sunday, February 7, 1904, an explosion at the John E. Hurst & Company building. broke windows and … More My Great-Grandfather, Wise Brothers Co., the bucket brigade and the The Great Baltimore Fire
Baltimore Through My Eyes 