Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, Baltimore facts for kids

Coldstream Homestead Montebello Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Location in Baltimore Show map of Baltimore Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Roughly bounded by The Alameda, Kennedy & Kirk Aves., Harford Rd., E. 32nd & E. 33rd Sts., Baltimore, Maryland
Area	0 acres (0 ha)
Built	1908 (1908)-1937
Architect	Frank Novak, Dr. Theodore Cooke
Architectural style	Italianate, Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Late Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	13000848
Added to NRHP	October 23, 2013

Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, often called C-H-M, is a neighborhood in northeastern Baltimore, Maryland. Part of the area is known as the Coldstream Homestead Montebello Historic District. It is special because of its unique suburban-style rowhouses.

The neighborhood's name comes from the grand summer estates and small villages that once lined the old roads leading out of Baltimore.

Exploring Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello History

How Did Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Get Started?

The area where Baltimore City College now stands was once a large country estate called "Abbottston." This estate belonged to Horace Abbott, a famous owner of ironworks in Baltimore. His ironworks helped build the revolutionary U.S.S. Monitor ironclad ship during the American Civil War.

Later, the estate was owned by the Gilman family. It was known as the Gilman-Cate estate until it was taken down in 1924. Streets and schools in the neighborhood, like Abbottston Street, still remind people of this old estate.

In 1950, Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello was considered a top neighborhood in Baltimore. Over time, like many city areas, it has seen changes. Today, the community works hard to make it a great place to live.

Getting Around: Transport in C-H-M

Future Transit Plans for the Neighborhood

There are plans for a new subway line, called the Green Line, to have a station in this neighborhood. This would make it easier for residents to travel around Baltimore.

Where is Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Located?

Understanding the Neighborhood's Boundaries

This neighborhood is in northeastern Baltimore. It is bordered by Harford Road to the east and Loch Raven Boulevard to the west. To the south is 25th Street, and to the north are 32nd and 33rd Streets.

The neighborhood also includes Lake Montebello. This scenic lake is a holding pond for the city's water system. The Montebello Filtration Plant, built in 1913, is also nearby.

Learning and Growing: Education in C-H-M

Baltimore City College sits in the heart of the CHM community

Discovering Baltimore City College

Baltimore City College is a special public high school located right in the heart of C-H-M. It focuses on the humanities, liberal arts, and social studies. Founded in 1839, it is the third oldest public high school in America.

The school moved to its current "Collegiate Gothic" building in 1928. It's often called "The Castle on the Hill" because of its 150-foot stone tower. The campus is 39 acres and offers great views of the city. Since 1979, both young men and women have attended Baltimore City College.

The History of Eastern High School

To the west of the neighborhood, across Loch Raven Boulevard, is the former Eastern High School. This school was built in 1938 for young women. It has a beautiful Tudor English Gothic Revival style.

Eastern High School closed in 1984. Its landmark building was later renovated by Johns Hopkins University and is now used for offices.

Sports and Fun: Recreation in C-H-M

Remembering Memorial Stadium

To the northwest of the neighborhood was the site of Municipal Stadium. It was built in 1921-22 for football. In 1950, it was rebuilt and renamed Memorial Stadium. It became home to the Baltimore Colts football team and the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

The stadium was no longer used by the Colts after they moved in 1984. The Orioles moved to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992. Memorial Stadium was taken down in 2004. A new development called Stadium Place, with housing and a YMCA, now stands there.

These important sports and education sites have had a big impact on the C-H-M community.

Who Lives Here? Demographics of C-H-M

A Look at the Community's Population

According to the 2000 United States Census, there were 8,750 residents in C-H-M. Most of the residents (99%) were African American. There were 3,265 housing units, and 80% of these were single-unit attached homes (rowhouses).

About 84.5% of all homes were occupied, and 55.9% of these were owned by the people living in them. Nearly 32% of residents were enrolled in school, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. About 60% of residents had a high school diploma or higher. The average family income was $27,471.

Building a Strong Community: C-H-M Efforts

The Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Community Corporation

CHM Executive Director Mark Washington directs July 2009 meeting

Members of the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello community corporation at their monthly meeting(July, 2009)

Residents of C-H-M are very active in improving their neighborhood. They do this through the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Community Corporation. This group meets regularly at Baltimore City College to discuss community matters. Their offices are located in a former annex building at the college.

The Community Corporation does many things for its residents:

• They hold community clean-ups.
• They share important information from the city government.
• They offer housing counselors to help residents.
• They host a summer film series for families.
• They organize women's self-defense classes.
• They arrange walks for seniors.
• They help coordinate free services for residents.

Programs and Services for Residents

C-H-M residents can join various helpful programs. For example, Project Lightbulb provides free energy-saving lightbulbs, showerheads, kitchen faucets, and water heater wraps.

Seniors (over 60) can take part in Neighborhoods for All Ages. This program offers home repair, transportation, and other support services. Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello was also chosen as a Healthy Neighborhoods (Baltimore) community. This means residents can get home improvement loans at lower rates. The Healthy Neighborhoods program also helps organize events and projects within the community.

Fun Activities for Youth in C-H-M

The C-H-M community also provides many services and activities for young people:

• A summer camp
• A chess club
• Summer dance classes
• Tutoring and homework help
• A computer lab
• Indoor basketball

Regular Community Events

The community has several recurring events:

• First Thursdays: Community Corporation Board Meeting
• Second Thursdays at 7 pm: Community Meeting
• Fourth Thursdays at 7 pm: Citizens on Patrol Walk
• First and Third Fridays at 10 am: 6X Express Senior Shuttle
• Second Fridays at 10 am: Senior Meeting
• Fourth Fridays at 10 am: Lifelong Gathering
• Every Friday during the summer (sundown): Movies in the Park

Who Represents Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello?

Understanding Local Government Representation

Delegates Anderson and McIntosh at CHUM's July, 2009 meeting

Here's how the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello community is represented in government: