Named for the charming and graceful park that lies at its center, Union Square is an exceptional and diverse urban setting. Within its borders the colorful and storied history of 19th and 20th century Baltimore unfolds through distinctive architecture, historic markets, local museums, and longtime residents. The neighborhood is home to several art galleries, artist studios, and a bed and breakfast (The 1870 Guest House) that overlooks the square. An uncommon synergy prevails in the neighborhood as residents, both longstanding and newly arrived, work together through various committees and forums to enhance the area's quality of life. Toward that end, Union Square is also actively engaged in outreach with other nearby neighborhoods and non-profit groups. This historic neighborhood, one of Baltimore's friendliest, is marked by pre- and post-Civil War architecture, period street lamps, brick sidewalks and stately row homes. Walking tours of historic sites are available.The lifelong home of 'The Sage of Baltimore' H.L. Mencken, is at 1524 Hollins St. The Neighborhood Design Center, whose mission it is to assist in building better communities, is housed in the former No. 2 Pratt Library building (now beautifully restored) at 1401 Hollins St. Viva House, a Catholic outreach center is at 26 S. Mount St. The commercial district runs along W. Baltimore St. and is home to a wide variety of businesses.

Union Square Park
At the heart of the neighborhood is Union Square Park, a shady and charming urban commons surrounded on three sides by classic Italianate style row houses. With park benches situated along winding paths under tall shady trees, Union Square Park is one of Baltimore's loveliest public spaces. The Park has several notable features; a beautiful (working) Victorian era fountain surrounded by cast iron replicas of many of H.L. Mencken's books. On the Southeast corner of the park stands a Greek-style gazebo designed by architect John Hoss, built in 1850. Over forty feet tall with fluted columns, it provides an elegant stylistic counterpoint to the nearby fountain and brick homes that encircle it. Beneath its sky-blue dome various neighborhood events are held: potluck dinners, week end breakfast's and music performances. Union Square Park was the primary shooting location for the film Washington Square, released in 1997.

H.L. Mencken House
From 1883 to 1956, (excepting a brief 5 year stay on Cathedral St.) Henry Louis Mencken lived at 1524 Hollins St. on the north side of Union Square. The Mencken House is a National Historic Landmark and like many of the homes that surround it, is an example of the Italianate style that prevailed in Baltimore in the late 1800's. As of spring 2002, the Mencken House is city-owned and not open to the public. Several highly promising efforts to restore the Mencken House and create an endowment for its long term viability are currently underway. Information on Mencken's life and work can be found at www.americanwriters.org. The Mencken House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

B&O Railroad Museum
Housed in a beautifully restored roundhouse, the B&O Museum is the birthplace of railroading in America. It occupies the very location where the first federally charted railroad began in 1827. Charles Carroll, revolutionary War patriot and last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, turned over the first spadeful of dirt on July 4, 1828.
Beginning in February of 2002 and extending to July of 2003, the B&O celebrates 175 Years on Track, a yearlong celebration of the B&O's exalted place in American history. For more information click on: www.borail.org The B&O is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

The Irish Shrine and Railroad Workers Museum
Affiliated with the B&O Museum, these unique three-story alley row-houses have been painstakingly restored to reflect the living conditions of 19th Century Irish immigrants, many of whom helped build the Hollins Market and worked at the B&O. Through the unflagging efforts of community preservationists, this slice of Baltimore history is now preserved for current and future generations. Opens in the summer of 2002.

Patrick's Pub
Pure Irish charm beneath tin ceilings just across from the B&O. Named for founder J. Patrick Healy who started it all back in 1847, Patrick's has been pulling drafts on Pratt St. since 1862. This Union Square favorite is a lively dinner spot, where neighbors and friends chat across tables, sample robust brews, fine wines, and great fare. Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Sowebohemian Arts Festival
An urban legend in the making, this festival now seventeen years running, is one of Baltimore's hippest arts venues. Glass blowing demo's, children's arts, Black Cherry Puppet Theater, art shows, performance art, art rock, punk rock, gospel, blues and jazz all combine to make this festival one of the city's most vibrant and enduring celebrations. Get a little taste of Charm City street life on the last Sunday in May. Held adjacent to the historic Hollins Market. Sowebo Arts Inc., a local non-profit, organizes the festival as well as other neighborhood art happenings. Look for city's coolest Art Auction held two weeks after the festival. For information call 410-big-tent or e-mail: sowebo100@yahoo.com.

Hollins Market
Heart and soul to go in Baltimore's oldest and longest running public market. Over a hundred and fifty years old, the Hollins Market delivers the quintessential urban experience, to know thy butcher, thy baker, thy fried-chicken maker. Smaller now than back in the day but no less vibrant, the Market's history is as varied, rich, and full of tales as the city itself. See the Market in it's heyday in the Barry Levinson film Avalon.

Annual Christmas Cookie Tour
Union Square residents usher in the season in style on the second Sunday of December as hundreds of visitor's tour lovingly restored homes of Baltimore's Victorian era. Christmas decorations provide a festive backdrop as guests munch freshly baked cookies, sip a hot cider or two, and get to meet the friendliest folks in Baltimore. Enjoy the cookies, hon!

Annual Progressive Dinner
After a long, cold winter a number of Union Square homes are the site of a neighborhood get-together to share the love just as spring arrives. Forty to sixty people gather for appetizers, cocktails, dinner and desserts for a great night of story-swapping and socializing. 

On the Square and on nearby streets, spacious three-story Italianate style row houses pre-dominate. Most are pre- and post- Civil War Italianate in style, but there are many examples of Early Victorian Greek Revival and Late Victorian Romanesque Revival. Many homes have ten-to fourteen-foot ceilings, tall distinctive windows, wood floors, and plaster walls. Exteriors are brick and mortar facades with attractive cornices and marble steps. On side streets and alleys are found still charming two-story and two-story-with-attic rows. House prices range from $50,000 to $175,000.

Much of the neighborhood is built on the former estate of Thorowgood Smith, a merchant and shipper who was also mayor of Baltimore from 1804 to 1808. In 1799 Smith built Willow Brook, a Palladian style villa popular in mid-18th century England and America. Falling on difficult times, Smith was forced to sell Willow Brook within a year and it then passed to his nephew, John Donnell. The land, comprising twenty-six acres in all, was then parceled out by Donnell's children for lots for the construction of new homes. Willow Brook's interior oval drawing room had long enjoyed local and national acclaim and it was moved intact to the Baltimore Museum of Art for permanent display.

The estate house was acquired by Emily Caton McTavish, granddaughter of Charles Carroll (signer of the Declaration of Independence) She in turn, donated it to the Roman Catholic Church which modified and renovated the structure for use as a school for delinquent girls. In 1965 the school closed for good and its buildings were dismantled. The Steuart Hill Elementary School now stands on the site. The land for the one-block, two and a half acre park was donated to the city by the Donnell family in 1847.