Baltimore, Maryland, USA
1854 - Baltimore

Baltimore, a city, port of entry, and sent of justice of Baltimore county, Maryland, is situated on a small bay or estuary which extends about two miles and a half inland from the N. side of Patapsco river, about 12 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake bay. The city, by ship channel, is about 200 miles from the ocean. It is 38 miles by railroad N. E. from Washington, and 98 miles 8. W. from Philadelphia. Lat. 89° 17' N., Ion. 76° 87' W. Baltimore is admirably situated both for foreign and internal commerce. The bay around which it is built affords a secure and spacious harbor, and it has communication by railway not only with Philadelphia and Washington, but with Winchester, Annapolis, Cumberland, Frederick City, York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg. The limits of the city comprise about 10,000 acres of land, extending about four miles and a half from east to west, and three and a half from north to south. It consisted originally of more than fifty elevations or hills, separated by abrupt valleys, or ravines, and in a few instances by formidable marshes, while, nearly in the centre, it is divided by a rapid stream of water known as "Jones' Falls." This stream has several times overflowed its banks, causing loss of life as well as occasioning a great damage to property. The city authorities have in consequence been at great pains to remove all obstructions from its bed, and have taken care that the numerous bridges by which the stream is crossed should be constructed with a single arch, and of such a height as to remove all further danger from this source. The city east of Jones' Falls is divided into two parts, Fell's Point and the Old Town. The Point is the most easterly portion of Baltimore, and has the advantage of greater depth of water at the wharves than the upper harbor contains. It is the resort of seamen and immigrants, and the place where the greater part of the ship building and manufactures of the city are carried on. Old Town lies north and west of this, and is principally inhabited by mechanics and laborers. The portion west of "the Falls" is likewise divided into two parts, the City Proper and Spring Garden section. The former is the centre of trade, and contains most of the residences of the more wealthy citizens. Spring Garden section is the extreme south-western quarter, and is inhabited chiefly by mechanics and laborers. From the number and prominence of its monuments, Baltimore has been denominated the Monumental city. The most remarkable of these is the Washington monument, which stands on an eminence at the intersection of Charles and Monument streets, about 150 feet above high-water mark. Its base, 20 feet high and 50 feet square, sup ports a Doric column 167 feet in height, surmounted by n statue of Washington 13 feet high. The shaft, 20 feet square at the base and 14 at the top, is ascended by means of a winding stairway within. The whole is composed of white marble, and cost $200,000. Its summit commands a beautiful and varied prospect. Battle monument, at the corner of Calvert and Fayette streets, was erected in 1816, to the memory of those who fell while defending the city from the attack of the British, September 12, 1814. The base is square and 20 feet in height, with an Egyptian door on each front. The column, 18 feet high, is in the form of the Roman, fasces, and encircled by bands having the names of those who fell in the battle inscribed on them in letters of gold. On its summit stands a beautiful statue of a female, emblematical of the city of Baltimore, making the entire height of the monument 62 feet. The Armistead monument, a beautiful specimen of sculpture, near the city fountain, was erected to the memory of Colonel George Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry, when bombarded by a British fleet in September, 1814. Among the public edifices of Baltimore may be named the city hall, on Holiday street, occupied by the city council and public offices: it is a plain building three stories high, with a portico supported by four massive pillars. The court house, a commodious edifice at the corner of Washington and Lexington streets, contains the rooms of the city and county courts. It is 145 feet long. 65 feet wide, and two stories high, surmounted by a dome. Being elevated considerably from the ground, the approach to it from the front and rear is by flights of steps, above which is a colonnade of marble pilasters, of the Ionic order, supporting a plain entablature at the top. The state penitentiary, at the corner of Madison and Forrest streets, consists of three separate buildings besides the workshops. The whole occupies about four acres of ground, which is surrounded by a stone wall 20 feet high. A short distance from the penitentiary stands the county prison, a handsome building, surmounted by a cupola, and ornamented with a tower at each end in the form of an octagon. The exchange, in Gay street near Water, is a spacious structure 225 feet in front, 141 in depth, and three stories high above the basement. It is surmounted by a dome, the top of which is 115 feet from the ground. On the east and west sides is a colonnade of six Ionic pillars, each a single block of beautifully wrought Italian marble. The merchants' room, which is the principal one in the building, is 60 feet square. The south wing, fronting on Lombard street and entered from Water street, is occupied as a custom house. Among the first objects that strike the attention of one approaching the city are the shot towers, one of which, the Merchants' Shot Tower, is the highest in the world, having an elevation of 250 feet. The most imposing church edifice in Baltimore is the Roman Catholic cathedral, on Mulberry street, between Charles and Cathedral streets. It is a massive granite structure, 190 feet long, 177 broad, and 127 feet from the ground to the top of the cross surmounting the dome. At the vest end of the building are two towers crowned with Saracenic cupolas, resembling the minarets of a Mohammedan mosque. The original design was to place an Ionic portico between these towers. The cathedral contains one of the largest organs in the United States, having 600 pipes and 86 stops; and two beautiful paintings, one, "The Descent from the Cross," presented by Louis XVI. of France ; the other, "St. Louis burying his officers and soldiers slain before Tunis," presented by Charles X. The Catholics have a number of other churches besides the cathedral, the principal of which are St. Mary's chapel, on Pennsylvania avenue, and St. Peter's, in Saratoga near Charles street, the oldest Catholic church in the city. The Unitarian church, at the corner of Franklin and Charles streets, is much admired for its architecture. It is 108 feet long and 78 wide, with a dome 55 feet in diameter, supported by 4 arches, each 83 feet span. It is 80 feet from the ground to the summit of the cupola. In front is a colonnade formed by four Tuscan columns and two pilasters. The interior of the building is a square, the entrance to which is by five bronze doors, in imitation of the Vatican at Rome. St. Paul's, an Episcopal church on the corner of Saratoga and Charles streets, the First Presbyterian church, corner of North and Fayette streets, the First Baptist church, at the corner of Lombard and Sharp streets and the German Reformed church in Second, between Gay and Belvidere streets, are all distinguished either for elegance or their style of architecture. At the last census, Baltimore contained 99 churches of the various denominations. Hunt's Magazine (article on Baltimore, vol. xxiii. p. 34) gives 104 churches, as follows: — Methodist, 48 ; Protestant Episcopal, 12; Presbyterian, 11; Roman Catholic, 11; Lutheran, 8; Baptist, 6; Disciples, 2: German Reformed, 3; Evangelical Association, 2; Friends, (Quakers,) 8 ; United Brethren, 1 ; Universalist, 1 ; Unitarian, 1 ; Winnebrannians, 1 ; besides 2 Jewish synagogues.

Institutions. - The educational, literary, and benevolent institutions of Baltimore are numerous. St. Mary's College, founded in 1805, and situated at the corner of Franklin and Green streets, is a well-conducted and flourishing institution, under the direction of the Catholics. The medical school of the University of Maryland was founded in 1807. In 1852 it had 909 graduates, 100 students, and 6 professors. Washington Medical College was founded in 1827, and has 25 students, and 6 professors. Tho University of Mary land, founded in 1812. is situated on Lom-bard street, between Green and Paca streets, connected with it is the Baltimore Eye and Ear Infirmary, where students have an opportunity of attending lectures and witnessing operations. The Maryland Institute occupies a suite of rooms in the Athenaeum, at the corner of Lexington and St. Paul streets. Its object is, the diffusion of useful knowledge and the promotion of the mechanic arts. It possesses an extensive chemical laboratory, and a very complete philosophical apparatus. The building is a noble brick edifice, 112 feet by 50, and 66 in height. It was completed in 1848, at a cost of over $28,000. The various apartments be sides those appropriated to the use of the Institute are occupied by the Mercantile Association, who have a well-selected library of 8000 volumes, and an ample supply of the choicest magazines and papers of the day; the Baltimore Library company possessing a valuable library of 14,000 volumes and the Maryland Historical Society, whose library numbers about 15,000 volumes, consisting for the most part of statistical and historical works. The City Library, designed for the use of the stockholders, the Apprentices' Library, and the Exchange Reading-room, are all important institutions. The Exchange Reading-room is supported by subscription. Strangers and masters of vessels, however, have access to the periodicals and newspapers, free of expense. The Baltimore Hospital, in the north-western suburb of the city, consists of a centre building, four stories high, flanked with wings that connect with two other buildings which form the ends of the vast pile. The entire structure cost $150,000. It occupies a commanding elevation, overlooking the city, the bay, and a wide extent of country. The interior arrangements are upon the most approved plan. The Almshouse is on the Franklin road, about 2 miles N. W. from the city : the building consisting of a centre and two wings, has 375 feet front, and is surrounded with spacious grounds. The Baltimore Manual- Labor School for Indigent Boys has connect ed with it a tract of land, on which, between the hours of study, the pupils are occupied in labor, thus combining useful employment with healthful exercise. The Baltimore Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor is under the direction of those whose duty it is to visit and inquire into the circumstances and character of the persons relieved, with a view to discourage indiscriminate and injudicious alms-giving. The other prominent benevolent institutions are the City Dispensary, corner of Holliday street and Orange Alley, the Eastern Dispensary, corner of Market street and Hart ford Run avenue, two Orphan asylums, and the Indigent Sick Society, composed of ladies, who visit the poor and minister to their comforts in sickness.

Education. - The system of public instruction in Baltimore has, within a few years past, been much improved, and is now rapidly increasing in public favor. December 31st, 1852, there were in the city 3 high schools, 21 grammar, and 26 primary schools, being an increase from 36 to 50 schools during the year. For these there were 173 teachers, 35 males and 138 females : increase over the former year, 35. The whole number of scholars in all the schools at this date was 9081 ; 482 of whom were in the high schools ; 2477 in the male, and 2321 in the female grammar schools, and 3788 in the primary schools. Increase of pupils over the previous year 1070. Salaries of the principals in the high schools $1000. except in the Central High School, which is $1200. Salaries of the principals in the male gram mar schools, $850 : of the male assistants, $450; female assistants, $150. Salaries of the principals in the female grammar schools, $450 ; in the primary schools, $250. Salaries of music teachers, $600. Whole amount expended for school purposes during the year ending December 31st, 1852, was $75,308 89. Attached to the high schools are normal classes, instituted with a particular view to qualify pupils to become thorough and competent teachers.

Commerce, Finance, &c. — In commercial importance, Baltimore ranks among the first cities in the United States. Its position is such as to render it a great centre of trade. Situated near the head of Chesapeake bay, it enjoys superior advantages for foreign commerce, while the numerous lines of railways that here have their termination, invite to it the agricultural and mineral wealth of a vast interior. The recent completion of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Wheeling is a most important event, and destined to exert an immense influence on the commercial activity of this great emporium. In the eloquent language of one of her citizens, "We have reached the threshold and stepping-stone of our true commercial greatness, and there is nothing now that can turn us back. The wide and far West has opened her ample arms to receive us, and bids us God-speed in our efforts to secure the prize which nature has no long and so patiently held out to us." The arrivals at the port of Baltimore, exclusive of the bay craft, during the year ending December 81st. 1852, were 128 ships, 292 barques, 401 brigs, and 1068 schooners; total, 1889 vessels. Of these, 39 ships, 58 barques, 97 brigs, and 29 schooners were from foreign ports. During the same year the number of vessels engaged in foreign trade, clearing at this port, was 583, with an aggregate burthen of 147,670 tons: 227 of these, the aggregate burthen of which was 68,772 tons, were owned in foreign countries. In the same period 72 vessels, of 14,698 tons burthen, were admeasured. There were received at Baltimore in 1852, 266,000 tons of Cumberland, and 125,000 of anthracite coal, (an increase from former years;) 33,594 bales of cotton; coffee from South America, 253,692 bags; hides, do., 173,987, (a decrease from former years ; ) Peruvian guano, 25,600 tons; sugar, 25,772 hogsheads, and 2960 barrels; West India molasses, 7027 hogsheads, 2064 tierces, and 80 barrels - coastwise, 838 hogsheads, 153 tierces, and 14,794 barrels; wool, about 925,000 pounds, of which some 326,000 pounds were of foreign raising; 3,416.150 bushels of wheat; 3,746,900 bushels of Indian corn: the total of all kinds of grain and pulse, 8,177,060 bushels; about 115,000 barrels of whisky; 76,402,129 feet of lumber, and 66,572 hogs heads of tobacco. There were also inspected at Baltimore the same year, wheat flour, 1,307, 165 barrels; rye flour, 0440 barrels; corn meal, 447 hogsheads, and 62,658 barrels ; mackerel, 22,337 barrels; herring, 29,000 barrels, and shad 4565 barrels. The provision trade of Baltimore is estimated at $8,000,000 annually. Imports of Baltimore in 1850, $6,417,113; 1861, $7,243,968. Exports in 1850, $8,530,970; 1851, $6,466,165; 1852, $7,649,766. There were, January 8, 1853, 12 banks in Baltimore, with an aggregate capital of $7,291,415, and a circulation of $2,074,587; 2 other banks have since been chartered ; 1 health and 10 fire and marine insurance companies, besides many insurance agencies. The total assessed value of the real and personal property of the city of Baltimore in 1850, amounted to $80,237,960. It is contemplated to establish a line of steamers between Baltimore and Savannah. The steamer Palmetto, sailing to Charleston, is to have a consort of 1300 tons, (the largest steamship ever built at Baltimore,) which is already in an advanced stage of construction.

Baltimore enjoys superior advantages for manufactures. Jones's Falls and Patapsco river afford immense water-power, which is extensively employed for flouring mills, of which there are over 60 within 20 miles of the city. Numerous cotton and other manufactories are also in operation. Mr. Ross Winans has here one of the largest engine establishments in the United States, where near 100 locomotives, worth each about $10,000, are made annually.

This city has an abundant supply of pure water, both from springs and from Jones's Falls. These springs, or fountains, are in different parts of the city, and enclosed with circular iron railings. Over them are small open temples, consisting of a dome supported by pillars. The water from Jones's Falls is brought by means of an aqueduct, about half a mile long, to a reservoir in Cal vert street, and from thence is conducted through distributing pipes to the various parts of the city. The more elevated portions, however, arc supplied from a reservoir replenished by forcing-pumps on an eminence in Charles Street, near Washington Monument. On Federal Hill is an observatory, which serves, in connection with an other at Bodkin Point, to announce the approach of vessels. In this way a marine telegraph is established, by which information is conveyed in a few minutes from the mouth of the Patapsco to an observatory in the exchange.

Among the numerous hotels which Baltimore contains, may be mentioned the City Hotel, (formerly Barnum's,) in Calvert street, near the Battle Monument; Mcintosh Howard House, in Howard street; the Eutaw House, corner of Eutaw and Baltimore streets ; the Fountain Hotel, in Light street; and the United States Hotel. About 25 newspapers are issued in Baltimore, of which 6 or 7 are dailies.

History. - The present site of the city of Baltimore was first fixed upon for a town in 1729; the name Baltimore was given to it in 1745. In 1708 it became the shire town of the county. Its first newspaper, "The Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser," a weekly, was issued on the 20th of August in 1778. It became a port of entry, a custom house was opened, and a naval officer appointed in 1 780. None of the streets were paved till 1782, when a beginning was made on Baltimore street, which has always been regarded as the main street of the city. In the same year the first regular communication with Philadelphia - a line of stage coaches — was commenced ; watchmen were employed in 1784; an act of incorporation was obtained on the last day of the year 1796, and the city government was organized in 1797. A census was taken in 1775, when the town was found to contain 564 houses and 5934 persons. In 1790, there were in Baltimore 13,530 inhabitants; in 1800, 26,514; in 1810, 46,455; in 1820, 62,738; in 1830, 80,620; in 1840, 102,618; in 1850, 109,064 ; in 1863, about 196,000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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