Fun facts about Baltimore MD
Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore
When you think of Baltimore, a few things likely come to mind – world-famous Chesapeake blue crabs, the gritty crime drama The Wire, and the Ravens and Orioles pro sports teams. However, this charming city on the Patapsco River has a rich history and culture that often gets overshadowed. Here are some fascinating fun facts about Charm City that may surprise you:
It's an Actual Renaissance City
The very layout and design of Baltimore, MD displays its origins as a planned Renaissance city. Founded in 1729, the city was centered around four open-air public squares connected by a main promenade just like the great cities of Europe during the Renaissance period. Today, only two of the original four squares remain – Mount Vernon Place and Franklin Square.
Home to the First Long Distance Transmission of Morse Code
While Samuel Morse developed the revolutionary telegraph technology and code that bears his name in the 1830s, it was in Baltimore in 1844 where the first long distance transmission occurred. The famous message “What hath God wrought?” was sent from the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad outer depot building in Baltimore to the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.
Star-Spangled History
Baltimore and the valiant defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 directly inspired the poem that became the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After watching the massive overnight bombardment of the fort from the British on September 13-14, 1814, local amateur poet Francis Scott Key was so inspired by the tattered but still waving American flag over the fort, that he penned the timeless verse.
Edgar Allan Poe's City of the Macabre
The Gothic master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, spent more time living in Baltimore than anywhere else, including the remaining home where he penned many of his haunting poems and short stories. Poe House & Museum on Amity Street where he lived from 1833-1835 is now a National Historic Landmark where fans can walk through the rooms and see original furniture and relevant artifacts. Poe died under mysterious circumstances after being found delirious on the streets of Baltimore in 1849.
A Presidential Legacy
No fewer than five U.S. Presidents were born as Marylanders from the Baltimore area – William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and Chester Arthur. While none were born within the city limits, they all hailed from surrounding towns and counties. Having this dense concentration of presidential birthplaces from one general region is practically unheard of.
Quirky Laws and Firsts
Baltimore is a city filled with random quirks and historical firsts like:
- It was the last U.S. city to cease sharing communal outdoor “outhouse privies” when the last two were finally demolished in 1953.
- Maryland was one of the first states to institute a modern income tax in 1939, inspiring generations of residents to find creative new ways to avoid the taxman. -Baltimore’s harbor freezing over during the late 1800s led to the invention of the insulated tervis tumbler cups.
- Carrying a plate of jelly beans or other “harmless” food items onto a Baltimore street car or trolley is prohibited by law.
With its eccentric history, iconic roles in American history, and vibrant culture, Baltimore, Maryland definitely has far more to offer than just good crabs and gritty TV shows. Dig into Charm City’s deep and fascinating heritage on your next visit. Learn more about Local community Centers in Essex Maryland
Commonly Asked Queries
The nickname is believed to have originated from a 1970s advertising campaign to promote Baltimore's amenities and attractions and brand it as a charming, delightful place to visit or live.
The small home where Edgar Allan Poe lived from 1833-1835 at the height of his writing career was originally located on Amity Street in west Baltimore. It was later moved to a new location on North Amity Street to preserve it.
Baltimore's founders modeled the planned city's layout after the Renaissance grid design of Annapolis, Maryland which had four public open-air squares connected by wide promenades.
Mount Vernon Place and Franklin Square are the two remaining historic public squares from the original four.
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