Baltimore - Historical Background
Download the Schmap Baltimore Guide
With Schmap 2.0 you can:
Baltimore Home
Schmap Baltimore guide and map

The most blue collar of American cities started as the most blue blooded. Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, hoped to reproduce England as perfectly as possible. But by the end of the 19th century, the city built as a seat for landed gentry had become a collection of fiercely solid working class neighborhoods.

Cecil appointed his brother Leo as the first governor, and, on November 22, 1632, the Ark and the Dove set sail from England with about 140 settlers, a mix of Protestants and Catholics. By March 25, 1633, the Feast of the Annunciation, they had established their first Maryland landing on the island of St. Clement's.

Maryland's early years were a rich time for landed gentry. With rolling estates, rich hunting and fishing, a good port and black slaves and indentured whites to do the work, it was very much like Lord Baltimore's vision of an idyllic England, except that Catholics and Protestants were trying to live in harmony. This religious mix was highly unusual at the time; within a few years the religious tensions back in England would lead to civil war.

In the colony's early years, 80 percent of the land was controlled by about 10 percent of the population. The town of Baltimore was chartered on August 8, 1729 as a place to put the colony's new customs house; eventually it became the chief port, and today it is the fifth busiest port in the United States.

Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

By the 1750s, the main export crops were cereal grains and flour, ground in the new mills of Baltimore. Indentured servitude came to an end, and these new freemen opened a series of small farms across the state. Trade with the other colonies and with Europe was the principle industry of this seaport town, and the forces that propelled America into the Revolutionary War were keenly felt here—Baltimoreans raided British merchant frigates under officially sanctioned "privateering" laws.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Baltimore ships proved adept at skirting British blockades to supply France. Eager to take another crack at the ex-colonies, Britain declared war. During the War of 1812, the British burned Washington D.C., General Andrew Jackson made a name for himself defeating the British in the Battle of New Orleans, and in 1814 British troops advanced on Baltimore, planning to burn the town and destroy the core of the American merchant fleet in the harbor. On Sunday, September 11, 1814, they attacked the harbor defenses at Ft. McHenry.

The battle raged for 12 hours. Eight miles away, aboard a British vessel, an American watched the bombardment. Francis Scott Key was a doctor; he'd been inquiring after a patient when a British officer detained him for the duration of the battle. As evening fell, Key could plainly see the American flag—80 feet long and 40 feet high—above the fort. The sight inspired Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner," which was later declared the official national anthem of the United States. Though the lyrics are Key's, the tune comes from an old British drinking song.

End of the 19th Century

By the end of the Civil War, Baltimore started to resemble the city it is today. The landed gentry of Lord Baltimore's time were long gone. The rising cities of New York and Boston and Philadelphia had become the new centers of culture, and many of the rich had moved on.

The end of the 19th Century marks the beginning of baseball. The Baltimore Orioles was among the first teams. Babe Ruth was born here in 1895; his father ran a pub on a spot in what is now Camden Yards. The Orioles' Cal Ripken, Jr., is a legend here, and everywhere that baseball is followed.

Modern Baltimore

Modern Baltimore began at the end of World War II. As the new suburbs developed, downtown fell on hard times. By the 1960s, Baltimore faced the same sort of abandonment and blight as most American cities. This changed in the 1980s with the development of the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, the new home of the Orioles.

A Brief Chronology

A Brief Chronology 1634 - Arrival at St. Clement's Island. 1689 - Anne Arundell Town named Maryland's capital. Renamed Annapolis, 1695. 1729 - Baltimore established, August 8. 1745 - Baltimore becomes the state capital. 1808 - Mother Elizabeth Seton opens a school for girls on Paca Street. 1812 - University of Maryland founded. 1814 - Ft. McHenry defends Baltimore from British invasion after the burning of Washington, Sunday, September 11. Eight miles away, Francis Scott Key writes "The Star Spangled Banner." 1849 - Edgar Allan Poe found ill in a gutter October 7; died a few days later. 1891 - John McGraw joins the Orioles. 1895-96 - Orioles win the pennant two years in a row. 1895 - George Herman “Babe” Ruth born, February 6. 1904 - Massive fire destroys most of Baltimore's business district. 1906 - Satirist and critic H.L. Mencken (1880-1956) joins the Baltimore Sun newspaper. 1924 - Mencken, with George Jean Nathan, founds the American Mercury magazine. He continues as editor until 1933. 1975 - Mother Elizabeth Seton canonized as the first American saint. 1980 - National Aquarium opens. 1982 - The critically acclaimed movie “Diner” shows a side of Baltimore the world had forgotten: a nice place to live. 1981—Cal Ripken, Jr, gets his first hit as an Oriole August 16, 1981. In his career, he has hit over 3,000, only the 24th man to do so. Over the next 13 years, Ripken never misses a game, breaking Lou Gehrig's "iron man" record of 2,130 consecutive games on Sept. 6, 1995. 1992 - Oriole Park at Camden Yards opens April 6, setting the standard for modern baseball parks. 1995-99 - The television series "Homicide" makes the city's high crime rate a source of pride and a popular tourist location.





Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Our apologies: your internet browser is not yet fully supported by our Schmap online guides. If you continue, pages in this guide may display or function incorrectly.

Would you like to continue anyway?Continue Anyway

Schmap.com supports the following browsers:

PC

MAC
Oriole Park at Camden Yards


Play ball!
333 West Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
+1 410 685 9800 / +1 888 848 2473
http://www.theorioles.com
Opened in 1992, this baseball stadium incorporates the old Baltimore & Ohio RR Warehouse building into its asymmetrical design. The home plate and right field foul pole came from the old Memorial Stadium, former home of the O's. Ninety-minute tours are given on weekday mornings, if there isn't an afternoon game. See the dugout, press box and field. Tickets to O's games can be tough to come by, but there is a scalp-free zone at the stadium where fans can buy tickets for face value or less.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Carlos Ho
Photo: Carlos Ho
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Sun Brockie
Photo: Sun Brockie
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Joe Hall
Photo: Joe Hall
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Jose Miguel Armenteros
Photo: Jose Miguel Armenteros
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Waldo Jaquith
Photo: Waldo Jaquith
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Steve Earley
Photo: Steve Earley
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Alan McAfee
Photo: Alan McAfee
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by R. Wesley Stone
Photo: R. Wesley Stone
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Nicholas Foote
Photo: Nicholas Foote
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Krug Photography
Photo: Krug Photography
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by chivrock
Photo: chivrock
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Carlos Ho
Photo: Carlos Ho
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Sun Brockie
Photo: Sun Brockie
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Jonathan Levitt
Photo: Jonathan Levitt
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Steven A. Hoenstine
Photo: Steven A. Hoenstine
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Craig Mellish
Photo: Craig Mellish
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Ben Knight
Photo: Ben Knight
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Vishal Charles
Photo: Vishal Charles
Oriole Park at Camden Yards photo by Eric Cotton
Photo: Eric Cotton
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this City:Baltimore
Baltimore - Historical Background
Baltimore - Neighborhood Guide
Baltimore - Where to Stay
Baltimore - Dining & Drinking
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Downtown
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Out & About
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Charles Village
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Canton
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Little Italy
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Fells Point
Baltimore - Sights & Attractions - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Sights & Attractions
Baltimore - Attractions & Landmarks
Baltimore - Historic Buildings
Baltimore - Churches & Temples
Baltimore - Baths, Saunas & Spas
Baltimore - Breweries & Wineries
Baltimore - Lakes, Rivers & Beaches
Baltimore - Parks & Gardens
Baltimore - Panorama
Baltimore - Zoos, Farms & Aquaria
Baltimore - Museums
Baltimore - Tourist Information Centers
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Downtown
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Out & About
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Charles Village
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Canton
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Little Italy
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Fells Point
Baltimore - Trips & Activities - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Trips & Activities
Baltimore - Day Trips & Walks
Baltimore - Guided Tours
Baltimore - Marine Excursions
Baltimore - Fun Days Out
Baltimore - Educational Outings
Baltimore - The Great Outdoors
Baltimore - Hiking & Climbing
Baltimore - Extreme Sports
Baltimore - Miscellaneous Activities
Baltimore - Cycling Tracks
Baltimore - Equestrian Activities
Baltimore - Places to Fish
Baltimore - Golf Courses
Baltimore - Water Sports
Baltimore - Winter Sports
Baltimore - Gyms & Health Clubs
Baltimore - Sports Grounds
Baltimore - Hotels - Downtown
Baltimore - Hotels - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Hotels - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Hotels - Out & About
Baltimore - Hotels - Charles Village
Baltimore - Hotels - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Hotels - Canton
Baltimore - Hotels - Little Italy
Baltimore - Hotels - Fells Point
Baltimore - Hotels - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Hotels
Baltimore - Hotels - Deluxe
Baltimore - Hotels - High-end
Baltimore - Hotels - Moderate
Baltimore - Hotels - Budget
Baltimore - Restaurants - Downtown
Baltimore - Restaurants - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Restaurants - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Restaurants - Out & About
Baltimore - Restaurants - Charles Village
Baltimore - Restaurants - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Restaurants - Canton
Baltimore - Restaurants - Little Italy
Baltimore - Restaurants - Fells Point
Baltimore - Restaurants - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Restaurants
Baltimore - Restaurants - Afghan
Baltimore - Restaurants - African
Baltimore - Restaurants - American
Baltimore - Restaurants - Australian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Belgian
Baltimore - Restaurants - British & Irish
Baltimore - Restaurants - Caribbean
Baltimore - Restaurants - Central European
Baltimore - Restaurants - Chinese
Baltimore - Restaurants - East European
Baltimore - Restaurants - French
Baltimore - Restaurants - German & Austrian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Greek
Baltimore - Restaurants - Indian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Indonesian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Italian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Japanese
Baltimore - Restaurants - Korean
Baltimore - Restaurants - Malaysian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Mediterranean
Baltimore - Restaurants - Mexican
Baltimore - Restaurants - Middle Eastern
Baltimore - Restaurants - Pacific Rim
Baltimore - Restaurants - Portuguese
Baltimore - Restaurants - Scandinavian
Baltimore - Restaurants - South American
Baltimore - Restaurants - Spanish
Baltimore - Restaurants - Thai
Baltimore - Restaurants - Turkish
Baltimore - Restaurants - Vietnamese
Baltimore - Restaurants - Bistros & Brasseries
Baltimore - Restaurants - Breakfast & Brunch
Baltimore - Restaurants - Buffet
Baltimore - Cafés
Baltimore - Coffee Shops
Baltimore - Restaurants - Contemporary
Baltimore - Restaurants - Créperies
Baltimore - Restaurants - Delis & Diners
Baltimore - Restaurants - Fish & Seafood
Baltimore - Ice Cream Parlors
Baltimore - Juice Bars
Baltimore - Local Traditional Cuisine
Baltimore - Pizzeria
Baltimore - Soup Bars
Baltimore - Restaurants - Steak & Barbecue
Baltimore - Restaurants - Tapas
Baltimore - Tavernas
Baltimore - Tea Shops
Baltimore - Restaurants - Asian
Baltimore - Restaurants - Alfresco
Baltimore - Restaurants - Business
Baltimore - Restaurants - Dine with a View
Baltimore - Restaurants - Romantic
Baltimore - Restaurants - Child Friendly
Baltimore - Restaurants - Just for One
Baltimore - Restaurants - Kosher
Baltimore - Restaurants - Late/24-Hour
Baltimore - Restaurants - Organic
Baltimore - Restaurants - Theme
Baltimore - Restaurants - Vegetarian
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Downtown
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Out & About
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Charles Village
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Canton
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Little Italy
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Fells Point
Baltimore - Bars & Clubs - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Bars & Clubs
Baltimore - Bars
Baltimore - Cocktail Bars
Baltimore - Wine Bars
Baltimore - Pubs
Baltimore - Beer Gardens
Baltimore - Bierkeller
Baltimore - Sports Bars
Baltimore - Theme Bars
Baltimore - Nightclubs
Baltimore - Gay & Lesbian
Baltimore - Extra Late
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Downtown
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Out & About
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Charles Village
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Canton
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Little Italy
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Fells Point
Baltimore - Art & Entertainment - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Art & Entertainment
Baltimore - Art Galleries
Baltimore - Casinos & Arcades
Baltimore - Cinemas
Baltimore - Comedy & Cabaret
Baltimore - Theater
Baltimore - Dance
Baltimore - Live Music
Baltimore - Concerts
Baltimore - Opera
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Downtown
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Out & About
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Charles Village
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Canton
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Little Italy
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Fells Point
Baltimore - Shopping & Services - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Shopping & Services
Baltimore - Antiques
Baltimore - Art Supplies
Baltimore - Bookshops
Baltimore - Clothing & Fashion
Baltimore - Computers & Software
Baltimore - Food & Wine
Baltimore - Jewelry & Accessories
Baltimore - Markets
Baltimore - Shoe Stores
Baltimore - Souvenirs & Local Goods
Baltimore - Specialty Stores
Baltimore - Sports & Outdoor Gear
Baltimore - Stores & Arcades
Baltimore - Toy Stores
Baltimore - Hairdressers & Barbers
Baltimore - Taxi Firms
Baltimore - Public Transport
Baltimore - Currency Exchange
Baltimore - Internet
Baltimore - Services - Business
Baltimore - Services - Local
Baltimore - Events - Downtown
Baltimore - Events - All Baltimore
Baltimore - Events - Mount Vernon
Baltimore - Events - Out & About
Baltimore - Events - Charles Village
Baltimore - Events - Federal Hill
Baltimore - Events - Canton
Baltimore - Events - Little Italy
Baltimore - Events - Fells Point
Baltimore - Events - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - All Events
Baltimore - Major Events
Baltimore - Sporting Events
Baltimore - Cultural Events
Baltimore - Festivals
Baltimore - Exhibitions
Baltimore - Carnivals & Processions
Baltimore - Street Parties
Baltimore - Trade Fairs
Baltimore - Top Attractions
Baltimore - Top Events
Baltimore - Top Hotels
Baltimore - Top Restaurants
Baltimore - Top Nightlife
Baltimore - Charm City
Baltimore - Inner Harbor
Baltimore - Art
Baltimore - Sports
Baltimore - Entertainment
Baltimore - History
Baltimore - Ethnic Festivals
Baltimore - Spiritual

guide schmapplets for other cities:Adelaide
Albuquerque
Amsterdam
Anchorage
Antwerp
Atlanta
Auckland
Austin
Baltimore
Barcelona
Bath
Belfast
Berkeley
Berlin
Bilbao
Birmingham
Boise
Bologna
Bonn
Bordeaux
Boston
Boulder
Brighton
Brisbane
Bristol
Brussels
Budapest
Buffalo
Calgary
Cambridge
Canberra
Cannes
Cardiff
Chattanooga
Chicago
Christchurch
Cologne
Copenhagen
Cork
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Dublin
Dusseldorf
Edinburgh
Florence
Florida Keys
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Myers
Fort Worth
Frankfurt
Galway
Genoa
Glasgow
Gothenburg
Hamburg
Hawaii
Helsinki
Hobart
Honolulu
Houston
Jacksonville
Kauai
Killarney
Lake Tahoe
Las Vegas
Leeds
Liverpool
London
Los Angeles
Lyon
Madrid
Manchester
Marseille
Maui and Molokai
Melbourne
Memphis
Miami
Milan
Minneapolis
Monterey and Carmel
Montpellier
Montreal
Munich
Napa Valley
Naples
Nashville
Newcastle upon Tyne
New Orleans
New York
Niagara Falls
Nice
Oklahoma City
Omaha
Orlando
Oslo
Ottawa
Oxford
Paris
Perth
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Plymouth
Portland
Prague
Reno
Richmond
Rome
Sacramento
Salamanca
Salt Lake City
Salzburg
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose and Silicon Valley
Seattle
Seville
Sheffield
Southampton
St. Louis
Stockholm
Sydney
Tampa
Tampere
Toledo
Toronto
Trieste
Tucson
Turin
Valencia
Vancouver
Venice
Verona
Vienna
Washington DC
Wellington
York
Yosemite
Zaragoza

Schmap.com
About
News & Reviews
Travel Store
Privacy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
© 2008 Schmap, Inc. All rights reserved.