There are two people to follow on Instagram for pictures and information on Baltimore salt boxes:
Juliet Ames:
thebrokenplate_jules
and
Baltimore Saltbox:
baltimore.saltbox
Category: Baltimore
Pascault Row – Baltimore
Pascault Row is a group of 1891 townhouses about a mile from where I live. I have passed by it many times and it looks great.
I recommend following historichomesofbaltimore on Instagram. I also recommend donating to Baltimore Heritage which does a great job informing us about historic Baltimore architecture.
Baltimore Public School No. 103
Robert Long House – Baltimore
The oldest surviving home in Baltimore
Baltimore “solves” a sidewalk problem
Several nearby trees fell during a storm in June 2021. One of them uprooted the sidewalk on Scott St. near Pratt St. By the time I got there, only a stump was left. The city recently “solved” the problem but did nothing to level the sidewalk. Sad!
Update: It was finally fixed in June 2023 – see last photo
Another tree that fell on Scott St. in June 2021.
My favorite Orioles nicknames
Don Stanhouse – “Full Pack”
Earl Weaver called him “Full Pack” because of how many cigarettes Weaver would smoke when Stanhouse pitched. He was a relief pitcher for the Orioles in 1978 and 1979. He took a long time between pitches and threw a lot of pitches that were not strikes. He counted on hitters being impatient and eager to swing at anything. It was very frustrating to watch as a fan but he got the job done most of the time as a closer. I saw him at an autograph show a few years ago and the long curly hair is gone. I can’t recall if he just had short hair or was bald.
Joe Altobelli – “Cement Head”
Altobelli was the manager who led the Orioles to the last World Series win. He did not come across as a great baseball mind like Earl Weaver, his predecessor. The Orioles owner, Edward Bennett Williams called him “Cement Head”. I guess a famous successful lawyer like Williams didn’t like having his huge investment managed by a guy who only went to high school.
Curt Blefary – “Clank”
Blefary was primarily an outfielder for the Orioles from 1965-1968. He could hit and was Rookie of the Year in 1965. He was not a good fielder and was nicknamed “Clank” by teammate Frank Robinson.
Fire at a vacant former brewery
Support Independent Bookstores
Baltimore Magazine had a fine article on local independent bookstores. The Barnes and Noble store at the Inner Harbor closed but I think there are more independent bookstores here than ever.
I especially recommend Charm City Books which is only a few blocks from my house. It’s a great store with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. They are a real asset to the neighborhood and the city. For example, they hold book drives for schools and other worthy causes, for example. I don’t see Amazon doing that. Charm City Books posts often on Instagram and I recommend following them.
Here’s a recent post about a Charm City Books book drive where they are collaborating with several other local independent bookstores:
The Birckhead-Bond House/Mount Royal House in Baltimore
Update with good news:
I didn’t know about this building in Reservoir Hill either.
Here are some older articles and documents.
Maryland Historical Trust Architectural Survey File
Hugh Lennon Bond Historical Marker
Up for grabs: Baltimore’s storied ‘Mount Royal’ mansion dates to 1792 (from 2019)
A. Hoen & Company Lithograph building in Baltimore
This building has been renovated. Here are new and old stories on the process. There are lots of old industrial buildings in Baltimore.
Jacques Kelly: At former A. Hoen & Co. lithography plant, ‘audacious’ hope for East Baltimore
Sad! 