Wednesday, October 6, 1999

This morning is bright and sunny, with a bit of autumn nip in the air. After breakfast, I take off for a second look at the area of Baltimore known as Fell's Point.

On the ride over, I notice a large, worn down building. It looks as though it's almost ready to fall in. The captain of the water taxi tells me that it's an old and very historic warehouse that the community is hoping to turn into a museum. I hope it happens soon, because I don't think the building will be able to stand up much longer.

Preserving buildings and communities from our past is a wonderful way to experience "living history." If you've ever been to Williamsburg, VA, or many places in Maryland, you've probably had the opportunity to experience this type of history. People who lead these preservation efforts are called "preservationists". One of Fell's Point's leading preservationists is Romaine Somersville. Romaine first became interested in preserving Fell's Point when some people wanted to build an interstate highway along the water's edge. Many of the residents organized a "Stop the Road" campaign. They didn't want to see their old, historic buildings torn down, and they didn't want a busy highway through their community. They fought, and they won.

If I said, "Let's go to Baltimore Harbor," I'll bet you'd think of the Inner Harbor, with all the shops and restaurants. But, the first harbor of Baltimore was actually Fell's Point. In 1726, William Fell, an Englishman, purchased the peninsula on which Fell's Point rests. He thought it was valuable land because it had deep water to it's shoreline - the perfect place for ships to dock, and the perfect place for shipyards (places where ships are built or repaired).

William Fell was right! Between 1800 and 1860, 18 different shipyards operated in Fell's Point, building hundreds of ships.

The most famous were the topsail schooners - sharp, two masted vessels that had large sails with small cargo spaces. These boats were nicknamed "Baltimore Clippers." Clippers were especially popular during the war of 1812, because they could run the blockades the British had set up around American ports. The British Navy was trying to prevent sea trade between Europe and the U.S. Pride of Baltimore II is a replica of a Baltimore Clipper which was built at Fell's Point, so I guess she really felt at home during the Festival.

You can see the place on the waterfront where Chausser, the original "Pride of Baltimore," was built in 1812. It's on the Fell's Point Walking Tour. There are 37 sites on this tour, all within easy walking distance for you and your family.

Have you ever read about Frederick Douglass? He was an African-American who became a world famous abolitionist, author, reformer, and statesman. Born as a slave on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Douglas became a houseboy for the Auld family of Fell's Point when he was 7 years old. At age 20, Douglas escaped north where he became a free man.

Later in his life, he returned to Fell's Point and built a row of houses which still stand on Dallas St.

Fell's Point is sometimes called "America in Miniature" because people of so many cultures and countries live here. In the 1800's, the Point was the place where many immigrants disembarked, much like Ellis Island in the harbor of New York City. The walking tour features homes and businesses of many of these immigrants. Now, as then, families of many different nationalities continue to live here.

I hate to leave the Point - there's so much to see. You need to come yourself to see all these places, plus the City Pier, Broadway Market, the Robert Long House, the more than 80 restaurants, and the boats tied up at the dock. By the end of the year 2000, a new Fell's Point Visitor's Center will be open to the public. You'll have an exciting day.

I walked back to the Inner Harbor on the Baltimore Waterfront Promenade. It's a 7.5 mile walk along the waterfront. On this gorgeous October day, it gives me time to remember all my experiences at the Point.

Continue with Part 3 of the Oct. 11, 1999 Log

Return to Part 1 of the Oct. 11, 1999 Log