Garnet Baltimore facts for kids

Garnet Douglass Baltimore (born April 15, 1859 – died June 12, 1946) was a very important person in engineering. He was the first African-American engineer to graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York.

He was named after two famous people who fought against slavery: Henry Highland Garnet and Frederick Douglass. Garnet's father, Peter, knew both of these important leaders.

Garnet Baltimore was known for his amazing work in designing buildings, engineering projects, and beautiful landscapes. Some of his famous projects include Prospect Park in Troy and Forest Park Cemetery in Brunswick, New York. He also invented a special way to test cement while working on the Oswego Canal. This test became the official standard for New York State!

Early Life of Garnet Baltimore

Garnet Baltimore was born in Troy, New York, on April 15, 1859. His parents were Peter F. Baltimore and Caroline Newcomb Baltimore. Peter owned a popular barbershop in Troy called the Veranda.

Peter and his brother William were very active in the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. They even helped Charles Nalle escape in 1860. Garnet's grandfather, Samuel Baltimore, was a slave who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Garnet Baltimore lived at 162 Eighth Street in Troy his whole life. A big fire, called The Great Fire, happened on May 10, 1862. It destroyed his home. Baltimore later remembered taking shelter with his family and other children at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church during the fire.

Baltimore went to the Troy Academy. He and his brother were the first two African-American students to attend this school. He graduated in 1877. In 1881, he earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Garnet Baltimore's Engineering Career

Garnet Baltimore lived in Troy, New York, his entire life. He worked on many projects around the Capital Region. After graduating from RPI, Baltimore worked on the Albany and Greenbush Bridge. He was also an assistant engineer for other projects. These included the Sandy Hill Railroad and the Albany, Granville, and Rutland Railroad. He stayed in this job for eight years.

Developing a New Cement Test

In 1884, Baltimore was put in charge of extending a lock on the Oswego Canal. This area was known as the "mud lock." Engineers faced a big challenge because they had to build on quicksand. Baltimore came up with a new way to create cement that could handle this problem. His method became the new standard for New York State when making cement.

In 1891, Baltimore returned to Troy. He was hired as an assistant engineer for the city’s Public Improvement Commission. Three years later, he was promoted to assistant city engineer.

Work on Waterways and Landscapes

Baltimore was well known for his work on waterways. He helped improve many parts of the Hudson River and Troy's water systems. While working for the New York State Department of Public Works, he worked on the Shinnecock and Peconic Canal.

Baltimore was also a landscape engineer. He designed many cemeteries in the Capital Region. These included the Oakwood Cemetery and Forest Park Cemetery in Troy. He also worked on cemeteries in Hoosick Falls, Glens Falls, and Amsterdam, New York.

Designing Prospect Park

In 1903, Baltimore was appointed as a landscape engineer for public park systems. In 1906, he became the engineer for Troy’s Department of Parks. During this time, Baltimore was asked to create plans for a park on "Warren Hill." Today, this park is known as Prospect Park. It is located in downtown Troy, New York, and is a popular spot for locals and students.

The design of Prospect Park became very famous. Baltimore used similar ideas for other big projects. These included Central Park in New York City and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Baltimore worked hard to make Troy, New York, more beautiful. His most famous achievement in Troy was designing Prospect Park. This 80-acre park is still used by Troy residents today. Sadly, much of Baltimore's original design has been lost over time due to poor management.

In 1943, Baltimore wrote an article in The Times Record newspaper. He shared his frustration about how the park was being managed. He asked, “Is the civic pride of Trojans so deadened that no murmur of regret is heart at this willful neglect?” By the 1940s, many original features were gone. These included the Warren Mansion, Band Stand, and Bascom fountain.

In 1998, a group called "Friends of Prospect Park" was formed. They have tried to make the park popular again and restore its beauty. Baltimore once wrote that the main goal of a park is "a place where natural beauty can be enjoyed free from the turmoil of the city.” He also said that a landscape engineer's job is to arrange land so that the result is "as thoroughly beautiful as possible.”

In his later years, Baltimore made maps for lawyers. He would map out accident and crime scenes. He also gave expert testimony in court about his measurements. The Times Record newspaper called Baltimore "probably the greatest surveyor of the city’s history.”

Personal Life

Garnet Baltimore was married to Mary Lane. They did not have any children.

Death and Lasting Legacy

Garnet Baltimore passed away on June 12, 1946, in Troy, New York. He was 87 years old. At the time, he was the oldest living graduate of RPI.

In 1946, Baltimore became a life-member of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers. He was also active in the Rensselaer Alumni Association and the 50 Year Club.

Since 1991, RPI has held the Garnet D. Baltimore Lecture Series in his honor. In February 2005, the mayor of Troy, Harry Tutunjian, officially renamed a section of Eighth Street as Garnet Douglass Baltimore Street. RPI has also created the Garnet D. Baltimore Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship helps students from groups that are not often represented in engineering.