While biking through Druid Hill Park I stumbled upon a large public pool filled with dirt and grass.  Historical markers, though nearly aged beyond readability, indicate that the strange oasis is a memorial to the struggles of racial segregation and those that endured it’s hardships.  During the first half of the 20th century Druid Hill Park operated under strict laws of separation, blacks and whites assigned to their own swimming and tennis facilities.  In 1948, young tennis players of both races staged a collective competition on the courts usually reserved for white players only.  With around 500 spectators in attendance the historic event proceeded without incident until the police arrived and shut the exhibition down.  The participants staged protest by refusing to leave the courts, a lengthy legal case following.  The event was an important and influential act in the nationwide civil rights movement that was rapidly taking shape as the 1950’s approached.  By June of 1956 the city’s parks were fully integrated.  The memorial landscape was designed by artist Joyce J. Scott.

Inside of Police headquarters, located at War Memorial Plaza in downtown Baltimore, is a 19 inch cannonball found at Fort McHenry during preparation for the historic location’s upcoming bicentennial celebration of the Battle of Baltimore. The huge cannonball weighs 300 pounds and still contained black powder when it was discovered. The projectile was removed by the bomb squad and was placed in the foyer of headquarters along side numerous exhibits documenting the history of the Baltimore police force.

Nearby on Redwood Street, between South Street and S. Calvert Street, is another large cannonball from Fort McHenry memorialized in monument form. The ball was fired from a British Warship during the epic War of 1812 battle and landed inside the star-shaped fort. The enemy fire was given to Michael Keyser who in turn presented it to the city. The two monuments are part of a vast collection of Baltimore relics from the battle itself and the 100 year anniversary celebration that took place in 1914. I’m curious what the city government has in store for 2014.

Johnny was a true American icon, born with nothing below his torso, he transformed his inadequacy into a prosperous business.  He walked tightropes, performed magic, created models, acted in movies and drove his own modified car, all while carving out a successful career in show business.  Johnny Eck died in 1991, followed four years later by his brother and lifelong companion, Robert.  This modest monument marks their permanent address.

Druid Hill Park was inaugurated in 1860.  Between 1867 and 1868 this monumental gateway was constructed at its Madison Avenue entrance.  In 1863, George A. Frederick became the city’s architect for the Baltimore Park Commission, holding the position until 1895.  He created Druid Hill’s observatory and greenhouse, along with several buildings in Patterson Park and Federal Hill Park.  There is some speculation that John H. B. Latrobe, son of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, designed the entrance ways at Madison and Mount Royal Avenues, but its more likely that Frederick was behind the constructs.  John Latrobe was on the park’s commission, but was a practicing attorney, not an architect, and may have merely supervised the projects.  Either way, the 142 year old gateway serves as a fitting monument to one of America’s oldest parks.

The gamble worked, and several financiers aligned with Peale, promptly forming The Gas Light Company of Baltimore (the precursor to Baltimore Gas & Electric).  Less than a year later, on February 7, 1817, the first public gas street lamp was lit in a ceremony one block south of City Hall.

Edward Johnson (1769-1829) was elected in 1808 as the third mayor of Baltimore, replacing Thorowgood Smith.  Johnson was subsequently re-elected in 1810, 1812, 1814, 1819 (when George Stiles resigned) and 1822.  In the summer of 1812, with war against the British imminent, an angry mob of Baltimoreans trapped and tortured a group of tories at city jail.  Mayor Johnson arrived in order to quell the situation, advising the prisoners and negotiating with the mob.  His stance against the instigators was an important political decision as Baltimore, and the United States, moved away from vigilantism.  He is also noted for owning the brewery in which Mary Pickersgill sewed the Star-Spangled Banner, America’s most significant flag.

A doctor by trade, Johnson began his medical practice the same year he entered politics.  During a serious yellow fever outbreak in 1819, Johnson donated $150.00 of his own money for the publication of a medical report on the epidemic.  His efforts proved central in ending the citywide health crisis.  This historical tablet (placed across the street from Carroll Mansion) marks the location of his former home.  Brewer’s Park (recently replaced with a hotel) was once next door.

At 11 am on Tuesday, September 8th, 1914, the Francis Scott Key Buoy was lowered into the Patapsco River, marking the spot where the Baltimore lawyer, and sometimes poet, wrote the Star-Spangled Banner.  The ceremony was part of the week-long National Star-Spangled Centennial celebration.  Each year the buoy is removed before winter and replaced in the spring, allowing for maintenance and preservation.

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.

Above one of the market’s original structures was the Maryland Institute College of Art.  The two story school was built on top of the building which covered an entire city block.  It was destroyed during the Great Fire of 1904, was rebuilt and existed until 1959, when it was torn down to make way for the Jones Falls Expressway.  Charm City’s first public bathroom was built on the property in 1907.

[Source]

Centre Market, built after the fire of February, 1904, on the site of Marsh Market, which was destroyed, is a splendid modern structure. It cost $500,650 and extends from Baltimore to Pratt street, three blocks. There are two great halls over the northern (Baltimore street) end, which are used by the night classes of the Maryland Institute. Twelve hundred pupils may be comfortably accommodated here. There is also another large hall above the produce section, which will seat 2500 persons. The wholesale and retail fish market, connected with the Centre, has been pronounced the most complete in the world.

This marker is placed on the west outside wall of the old Fish Market building, and is near the Great Fire tablet and Booth fountain.  Port Discovery, an interactive museum for kids, occupies the building today.

The Great Fire of 1904 marker (Map) is located on the west side of the Port Discovery building.  The Center Market Commission marker and Booth fountain are nearby.