Old West Baltimore Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old West Baltimore Historic District
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Henry Highland Garnet School (P.S. 103) on Division Street, where Thurgood Marshall attended.
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 Location in Baltimore
Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by North Ave., Dolphin St., Franklin St. and Fulton Ave., Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Area | 675 acres (273 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001374 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 2004 |
The Old West Baltimore Historic District is a special neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It's known for its rich history and beautiful old buildings. This area is mostly made up of about 175 city blocks filled with row houses. These are homes that are built right next to each other in a long line.
But it's not just row houses! You can also find grand mansions, smaller alley houses, churches, and public buildings like schools. There are also shops and pretty landscaped squares. Pennsylvania Avenue is the main street here, and it has a market where people can buy fresh food.
This district is very important for African-American history. Many famous people who helped change the world lived or worked here.
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What Makes Old West Baltimore Special?
The Old West Baltimore Historic District is a place where history comes alive. It shows how people lived and worked in Baltimore over many years. The buildings here have different styles, like Greek Revival and Victorian.
A Look at the Neighborhood
The district covers a large area, about 675 acres. It's located just northwest of downtown Baltimore. Walking through the streets, you can see many different kinds of buildings.
- Homes: Most homes are row houses, which are common in Baltimore. But there are also bigger, fancy houses and smaller, simpler homes.
- Churches: Many churches are in the district. They were important places for people to gather and build community.
- Public Buildings: Schools are a big part of the area. They helped educate many generations of children.
- Shops: Commercial buildings, or shops, show where people bought their goods and services. Pennsylvania Avenue was a busy street for shopping and entertainment.
Honoring History
The Old West Baltimore Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it's recognized by the United States government as a place worth protecting because of its historical importance. It helps us remember and learn about the past.
Famous People from Old West Baltimore
Many important figures in American history lived or worked in the Old West Baltimore Historic District. These people made big changes in civil rights, politics, and the arts.
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was a very important person from this area. He became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. This means he was one of the most powerful judges in the country. He fought for equal rights for all people, especially African Americans, and helped end segregation. He went to school at P.S. 103, which is in this district.
Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway was a famous jazz artist. He was known for his amazing singing and energetic performances. He brought joy to many people with his music and helped shape the sound of jazz.
Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson
Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson was a strong civil rights leader. She worked hard to fight for fairness and equality for African Americans. She was a key figure in the NAACP in Baltimore.
Parren Mitchell
Parren Mitchell was a Congressman. He was the first African-American person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland. He worked in government to represent the people and fight for their rights.
Carl Murphy
Carl Murphy was the editor of the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper. This newspaper was very important for the African-American community. It shared news, opinions, and stories that were important to them during a time when many other newspapers did not.
These individuals, and many others, made Old West Baltimore a center for change and culture. Their stories are a big part of why this district is so special today.
