Curtis Bay, Baltimore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Curtis Bay
Neighborhood of Baltimore
Row houses on Pennington Avenue
Curtis Bay Location in Baltimore
Country	United States
State	Maryland
City	Baltimore

Curtis Bay is a neighborhood in the southern part of Baltimore, Maryland. It's a mix of homes, shops, and factories. The area gets its name from the "Curtis Bay" cove, a body of water to its east. This cove is part of the larger Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor and Port, which connects to the Chesapeake Bay.

The neighborhood is built on hills. It's about four city blocks wide and fifteen blocks long. Three main streets run north to south: Curtis Avenue, Pennington Avenue, and Fairhaven Avenue. Pennington Avenue (Maryland Route 173) is where most of the businesses are. Many smaller streets running west to east are named after trees. People in Curtis Bay live in different types of homes, like townhouses, rowhouses, and individual houses.

What is Curtis Bay Known For?

The U.S. Coast Guard Yard

Since 1897, Curtis Bay has been home to the United States Coast Guard Yard. This is a special place where the United States Coast Guard builds, repairs, and maintains its ships. It's located on Hawkins Point Road, near the border with Anne Arundel County.

A Rich Polish-American History

Curtis Bay has a large and active Polish American community. Many Polish immigrants settled here, bringing their culture and traditions. In 1925, the United Polish Societies bought a building that became known as the Polish Home Hall. This hall was a very important place for the Polish community. It served as a center for social events, education, and political meetings for many years. It helped keep Polish culture alive in Curtis Bay.

Understanding Air Quality in Curtis Bay

What is the Concern About Air Quality?

A big coal train terminal owned by CSX is located in Curtis Bay. Recently, there have been concerns about the air quality in the neighborhood because of this terminal. Many residents have reported seeing a grey film covering their homes and cars. They believe this film is made of tiny coal particles.

What Did a Recent Study Find?

In 2023, a study was done to check the air quality in Curtis Bay. Researchers collected samples from different parts of the community, including homes, businesses, a church, a park, and a school. These places were up to three-quarters of a mile away from the train terminal.

The study found coal particles in every single sample they collected. This happened during three different times in August, September, and October 2023. The study concluded that coal dust likely enters the community every day. It seems coal dust leaves the terminal's property about every 1.5 hours.

Who Worked on the Study?

Many groups worked together on this important study. They included:

• Community of Curtis Bay Association (CCBA)
• South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT)
• Mt. Winans Community Association
• SB7 Coalition
• Air and Radiation Administration at the Maryland Department of the Environment
• Department of Environmental Health & Engineering at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at the University of Maryland