Upton, Baltimore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Upton
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Neighborhood of Baltimore
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Alley rowhouses in Southeast Upton
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| Nickname(s):
"Baltimore's Harlem"
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 Upton
Location in Baltimore
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| City | Baltimore |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| ZIP code |
21217
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| Area code | 410, 443, and 667 |
Upton is a historic neighborhood located in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. It sits in the western part of the city. The main street running through Upton is Pennsylvania Avenue.
Upton is part of the Old West Baltimore Historic District. For many years, it was a very important center for Baltimore's African American community. It was a place for business, politics, and culture. Today, the city is working to make Upton even better through special improvement programs.
Contents
Exploring Upton's Past
Upton has a rich history, especially for African Americans in Baltimore. Let's look at how this neighborhood grew and changed over time.
How Upton Grew in the Early 1900s
Around the year 1900, Upton was one of the wealthiest African American neighborhoods in the United States. A train station was built there in 1884, making it easy for people to travel. By the 1920s, many educated African American property owners in Baltimore lived in Upton.
To the south and west of Upton were neighborhoods where working-class African Americans lived. To the east were neighborhoods with German-American and Jewish-American families.
Pennsylvania Avenue: A Lively Center
Pennsylvania Avenue was the best shopping street for black Baltimoreans. People even compared it to Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York City. It was home to many important people, like doctors and lawyers. There were also shops for middle-class and wealthy customers.
The street was famous for its jazz clubs, dance halls, and theaters. Many famous black artists performed there. For example, Cab Calloway grew up in Upton. Eubie Blake performed his first show in a club on Pennsylvania Avenue. The Royal Theater, located at Pennsylvania and Lafayette, became a very popular venue for black entertainers.
Upton's Role in Civil Rights
Upton was a key location for the civil rights movement, both locally and across the country. Important leaders like Booker T Washington, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Marcus Garvey visited churches in the area. The Baltimore chapter of the NAACP, a major civil rights organization, was also based in Upton.
Changes in the Mid-1900s
In the middle of the 20th century, more and more people moved to Upton. This happened because the neighborhood was popular. Also, state laws kept African Americans living in certain parts of the city.
Many single-family homes were divided into smaller apartments to fit more people. Pennsylvania Avenue became very crowded, especially on Saturday nights. Some new residents brought more noise and lively activities to the area. Over time, wealthier black families started moving out of Upton. They moved to neighborhoods further from the city center, just like people were doing in many other cities.
Urban Renewal and Its Effects
In the 1960s and 1970s, the city started "urban renewal" projects. These projects aimed to improve the city, but they also caused problems. Many historic buildings in Upton were torn down, especially in the southwestern part of the neighborhood.
The city built new public housing to house more people. However, they did not replace all the homes that were lost. Once the old buildings were gone, it was hard to find people to build new ones. The famous Royal Theater was torn down in 1971.
A statue of Billie Holiday, a singer from Baltimore who often performed at the Royal Theatre, is located at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was put there in 1985 to honor her.
Marble Hill: A Preserved Section
The eastern part of Upton was not affected much by the urban renewal projects. This area was recognized as a national historic district in 1985. Today, it is known as Marble Hill.
Marble Hill has many beautiful old rowhouses. These homes are built in the Queen Anne and Italianate styles. They often have high ceilings, fancy ironwork, and white marble steps.
Getting Around Upton
Upton is easy to reach. It's about a fifteen-minute walk from Downtown Baltimore. The neighborhood has its own subway station, the Upton/Avenue Market Metro Subway Station. This station is located under Pennsylvania and Laurens Street.
Several bus routes also serve the area. Bus Route 7 runs along Pennsylvania Avenue. Routes 5 and 21 also run nearby.
Upton Today: Looking to the Future
The Avenue Market in Upton sells fresh food and sometimes hosts events like jazz shows. The city is working to improve Upton.
