Washington Village/Pigtown is one of the most racially and economically diverse and integrated communities in the city. It is home to many generations of families. Many people who grow up here choose to stay and raise their families here. Traditionally a white, blue collar neighborhood, we have evolved into one of the most diverse communities in the city. Our proximity to the I-95 corridor, the University of Maryland Medical campus, and downtown Baltimore have brought upscale townhomes to the eastern edge of our neighborhood, including the eclectic renovations of Barre Circle, one of Baltimore's famous dollar-house neighborhoods. However, other parts of the neighborhood have remained working class, as any trip down an 'alley street' will show you. The result of this evolutionary process has been one of the few communities in Baltimore that is completely mixed racially, culturally and economically. When the incredible historic sites at the B&O Railroad Museum and the Mount Clare Mansion in Carroll Park are added to the mix, along with old-fashioned manufacturing companies and state of the art biotech facilities, Washington Village/Pigtown becomes a dynamic, ever-changing place to live. There are approximately 2,740 homes in this friendly community. Our "hood" encompasses the Roundhouse Square, Mt. Clare and Barre Circle communities. Unlike other neighborhoods in the city, Washington Village- Pigtown continues to enjoy an influx of population. From 1980 to 1990 the population increased 3% from 6,503 to 6,705 people, strengthening our diversity even more.

Nearby attractions (within a 15 min. walk) include:

• Oriole Park at Camden Yards & Babe Ruth House and Museum
• The new Ravens Football Stadium
• The B&O Railroad Museum - reopening November 13 & 14, 2004
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore
• University Hospital
• Carroll Park Golf Course
• Carroll Park •Mt. Clare Mansion & H.L. Mencken House
• Mt. Clare Junction Shopping Center & Hollins Market
• The Inner Harbor and Lexington Market
• The Convention Center
• Federal Hill shops, pubs, Cross St. Market

The neighborhood is located on bus lines 11 and 31 and provides easy access to MARC trains via Camden Station as well as to Interstate highways 395, 95, 295, and 695. Washington Village/Pigtown offers 2 shopping plazas and a small commercial strip along Washington Boulevard. We are proud to be part of the federally designated Empowerment Zone and home to WPNPC, the Washington Village/Pigtown Neighborhood Planning Council " Village Center".

Washington Village/Pigtown is one of ten featured Baltimore Main Streets, each of which maintains an organization that collaborates with the city to strengthen and improve these designated commercial districts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation established the National Main Street Center in 1980 to assist with the revitalization of historic downtowns. Located in one of Baltimore's most storied neighborhoods, the emerging Washington Village commercial district is surrounded by history near I-95, downtown, the stadiums and the University of Maryland. More detail about the Baltimore Main Streets programs can be found at www.baltimoremainstreets.com.

A legacy of the working class beginnings of Washington Village are its numerous, two story rowhouses. However, there is also a great number of large, three story rowhouse structures for which housing demand is increasing. Many of the houses boast a fantastic view of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Because of its situation in the Empowerment Zone, many special grants and programs are available to people who chose to buy a home in "the zone". Tri-Churches Housing, Inc. offers a free homebuyer education and counseling program and maintains a list of properties available. We welcome you to check out the hood!

The name 'Pigtowne' originates from the 1800's when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad released its cargo of pigs to run through Ostend and Cross streets enroute to slaughterhouses in South Baltimore and on Wilkens Avenue. Washington Village is the urban renewal name designated by the City of Baltimore. The community housed many of the railroad workers from the B&O and is currently home to the B&O Railroad Museum, as well as Mt. Clare Mansion in Carroll Park.