Branches of Baltimore History

A February, 2009 newsletter from a Fell’s Point community organization claims that the Zappa bust will end up at Broadway Square, a popular tourist location in the historic neighborhood.  The spot was chosen for its eclectic nature.

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“Kim Domanski of the city’s Office of Promotion & the Arts said he was born in the Liberty Heights area but the Public Arts Commission chose Fell’s Point as a more ‘conducive’ site, with its ‘free-spirited artists.’  The gift includes mounting on public land, with an eye on Broadway square.”

According to the Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812 by Benson Lossing, published in 1869,  there was a Colonel George Armistead monument in what was known as City Spring, a once popular park near the present site of the Battle Monument.  Apparently the author couldn’t locate the monument, and found the building’s edifice, where it once stood, in disrepair.  The top of the sculpture distinctly resembles the Armistead Memorial at Federal Hill.

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Although the Aquila Randall monument is in present-day Baltimore County, in 1827 Baltimore City and County were one jurisdiction. So in all probability this monument, along with its more well-known brothers, the Battle Monument and the Washington Monument, inspired [John Quincy] Adams at dinner that evening to describe Baltimore as “The Monumental City.”

Location: W North Avenue & W Mount Royal Avenue – (Street View)

This gateway pillar is one of four standing at the original Mount Royal entrance to Druid Hill Park.  The monuments were re-erected, in 1988, by then Mayor Kurt Schmoke and the community.  George Aloysius Frederick, architect of Baltimore’s City Hall, designed the gateway structures (possibly with John H. B. Latrobe) made of Nova Scotia freestone.  The Colonel William Watson Monument towers nearby.

GPS: 39° 18′ 39.65″ N 76° 37′ 29.51″ W

Location: N Gay Street & E Lexington Street – (Street View – approximate)

Across Gay Street from the War Memorial Building, inside the Plaza, is a dedication plaque in honor of American war veterans.  The marker reads: “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”  This same inscription was on the front facade of Memorial Stadium and is on the new war monument at Camden Yards.

GPS: 39° 17′ 27.60″ N 76° 36′ 33.60″ W

Nearby Monuments:

Location: W North Avenue & Park Avenue – (Street View)

This plaque and stone were dedicated, in 2004, as part of them Mayor Martin O’Malley’s city revitalization project.  The effort aims at improving the median between Charm City’s longest street, North Avenue.  The William Watson Monument is nearby.

GPS: 39° 18′ 38.40″ N 76° 37′ 39.00″ W

Location: Wyman Park Drive & San Martin Drive - (Street View)

This servicemen’s memorial was created in honor of those lost during World War II from the Remington / Wyman area neighborhoods.  Erected in 1945, the stone structure stands on the west edge of Johns Hopkins campus near the edge of Remington.  The backside contains a plaque with the names of the fallen soldiers.

GPS: 39° 19′ 35.87″ N 76° 37′ 24.96″ W

Location: Harford Road & Parkside Drive – (Street View)

This police memorial is situated at the west end of Herring Run Park next to the monumental Columbus Obelisk.  The small plaza displays five police badges of fallen officers from the northeast district.

GPS: 39° 20′ 12.60″ N 76° 34′ 28.80″ W

In 2007, Baltimore singer Ruby Glover and artist James Earl Reid asked the city for the funds to restore the Billie Holiday statue located at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue. Later that year Mrs. Glover passed away at the age of 77. However, the project appears to be in motion today, with a new pedestal and park landscape in place, the plaza across from the royal theatre marquee is ready for Holiday to take her monumental stance. The only thing missing is Billie herself. The statue has been removed for renovation and it’s return date is unknown by this author.

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Reid, who sculpted the original statue in the early 1980s, will go back to work on the piece, adding detail to the face and placing it on a pedestal, Glover said. The pedestal may be rigged to play Holiday’s music as well, so people sitting in the nearby garden can indulge in her sound.

Location: Warren Avenue & Henry Street – (Street View)

Dedicated in 1933, the Our Fathers Saved Sundial was created in honor of Union Civil War Casualties.  The inscription reads: “In memory of the Grand Army of the Republic by the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.”  Situated at the southern end of Federal Hill, near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  Monuments to war heroes Samuel Smith and George Armistead are placed at the park as well.

GPS: 39° 16′ 45.40″ N 76° 36′ 29.44″ W