Brooklyn-Curtis Bay

Location

The boundaries of the neighborhoods are the Patapsco River to the north and northeast, Curtis Creek to the east and southeast, and Anne Arundel County to south and west.
Zip codes: 21225 and 21226

Description

Brooklyn and Curtis Bay combine the advantages of living near the Inner Harbor with small town USA. The roots of both communities are tied to the industries that grew up around the peninsula. Conveniently located near the Inner Harbor with easy access to the harbor tunnel and the beltway, residents can easily commute to major employment and shopping areas.

History

Once part of Anne Arundel County, Brooklyn and Curtis Bay were annexed by Baltimore City in 1918. With the opening of the Hanover Street Bridge and the booming industries on the Fairfield peninsula, many homes began to spring up. Many of the first residents were immigrants from Germany and Poland who came to work in the chemical and shipbuilding companies. During World War II thousands of workers arrived to build the Liberty Ships and other essential wartime commodities. After the war, many of the workers stayed. In 1925, the Polish Societies of Curtis Bay purchased a building that had been the town center, union hall and firehouse as a social hall. “The Polish Home Hall” became the center of many activities. Early on it was an elementary school for the youth to learn English. Later the next generation learned to speak Polish there. And every wedding, baptism and other parties were held here. Today the Coalition owns the building and is in the process of restoring it to its rightful center of community activities Today, these neighborhoods still are settled by workforce families who care deeply about their neighbors. The neighborhood associations have long histories of activism. They have created new murals and gateways that honor the history and celebrate the future.