House at 9 North Front Street
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9 North Front Street was the former residence of Thorowgood Smith, a successful merchant and Baltimore’s second mayor. Built around 1790, the Federal style residence served as Smith’s home between 1802 and 1804. During the 19th and 20th centuries the building was used as a hotel, an auto-parts shop and a restaurant. Purchased in 1971 by Baltimore City as part of the Shot Tower Park complex, the Women’s Civic League stepped in to sponsor the property’s restoration. The house apparently serves as the organization’s headquarters.
Smith also owned a mansion in the Union Square neighborhood named Willow Brook. When Willow Brook was torn down in the 1960′s, the city rescued its stunning Oval Room and its contents. The room was recreated at the Baltimore Museum of Art several times.
Thank you for this article with information about Thorogood Smith. I’m the webmaster for the Union Square Online website, http://www.union-square.us, and I’ve been trying to find a photo or drawing of the original Willow Brook mansion. Since it stood for almost 2 centuries (from its construction in 1799 until it was razed in 1965), I would think there should be some exterior images somewhere. If you or any of your readers find any photos, I would really appreciate seeing them. Regards, Chris
Chris Everett
17 Apr 11 at 5:13 pm
I’ll see what I can dig up. Thanks for reading…
monumentcity
19 Apr 11 at 7:29 pm
I thought that I may have seen a picture of Willow Brook, but after going through my files and the internet I’ve concluded that I must have been mistaken. I’ll to look into this. The Baltimore Museum of Art may have some information as they have materials from Smith’s house in their collection. Thanks again.
monumentcity
19 Apr 11 at 7:54 pm
Thanks in advance for anything you can find. I understand that Willow Brook was donated to the Church and, as the House of the Good Shepherd, it became a home for wayward girls (unwed mothers). As a result, for most of the 20th century, it was surrounded by a high stone wall (topped with broken glass, btw). Any view from the park or from the street might show streetcars or old cars but photos with that big wall probably masked anything of interest in the background. That said, I’d love to see any images that might have survived.
Chris Everett
22 Apr 11 at 10:21 pm
I found an 1866 image of Union Square with just a glimpse of Willow Brook in the background: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150226989105663&set=a.10150226989100663.355516.94865510662&type=1&ref=nf
Chris Everett
23 Apr 11 at 10:34 pm
I’ve seen this before somewhere. Possibly Benson Lossing’s pictorial field book. Thanks.
monumentcity
27 Apr 11 at 8:38 am