Chinquapin Park-Belvedere

Location

The Belvedere Improvement Association represents the area of North Central Baltimore which surrounds the intersection of York Road and East Belvedere Avenue. The northern portion of the community along E. Belvedere Avenue is referred to as "Belvedere square"; the southeast portion, south of Belvedere Square and east of York Road is referred to as "Orkney Heights "; the southwest portion, south of East Belvedere Avenue and west of York Road is referred to as "Elsinore Village."

The BIA area is part of the area of Baltimore known as Govans. Govans developed as a continuous ribbon of country homes lining York Road-early a major trade route between Baltimore and Pennsylvania and today Baltimore's main north-south commercial artery. There has been considerable controversy over the precise boundaries of Govans. Some residents see Govans' boundaries as Cold Spring Lane and Orkney Road, while others consider the area from Woodbourne Avenue to the City line to be Govans proper. More specifically, Chinquapin Park refers to the area bounded by Walker Ave to the north, Woodbourne to the south and Charles and Northwood to the west and east, respectively.

Most, however, agree that the center of Govans has always been the intersection of York Road and Bellona Avenue, the site of early Govans' largest hotel, now a residence for senior citizens run by GEDCO (Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation).

Zip Code: 21212

Description

The community has the character of a village with residential sections surrounding the community-scaled commercial hub at the intersection of York Road and E. Belvedere Avenue. Chinquapin Run burbles through the park that bounds the neighborhood on the east, from which it derives its name. Lined by tall trees and rolling lawns, the well-kept park is at once a never-tiring romping ground for children, a place for neighborhood picnics and other functions, and a peaceful scenic stroll. The park includes a traditional playground, with awnings, seesaws, slide and basketball and areas. In addition, sandwiched between the new Northern Parkway and Lake Avenue, is an innovative and imaginative city playground. 

The area is anchored by three landmarks. The Govans Presbyterian Church is a beautiful old stone church sitting on 8 acres of land, up a small knell on the west side of York Road. The church has been a leader in the community, providing an excellent pre-school used by many local families, and featuring a Senior Center with extensive offerings. The tolling of its bells can be heard throughout the community.

The Senator Theatre, one of the finest Art Deco buildings in Baltimore, is probably the best-known landmark. The Senator features quality movies and special events and hosts premieres of films shot in Baltimore.

The Belvedere Shopping Center, now called Belvedere Square, was opened in 1948. It, along with the rest of the commercial district, provides shopping, dining and services to area residents.

The Belvedere Improvement Association is a very active community organization with meetings, special events, and a newsletter, the Belvedere Beacon. It also represents the community to the City government and its agencies and other civic organizations on matters of local importance. Each street has one or more "Block Representatives" who provide direct outreach. BIA GeneraI Meetings are held at locations within the community approximately Jive limes a year. The BIA believes that four major attributes-sociability, activity, comfort, and access-help define livable communities. It also believes that healthy and vibrant communities serve all age groups and value all populations. The BIA is committed to making and keeping these precepts a reality in our community.

History

In 1755 our neighborhood was part of an 800-acre estate known as Drumquechastle, owned by William Govane, founder of Govanstowne, our neighbors to the south along York Road. As York Road grew into a major artery connecting Pennsylvania and points north with the busy port of Baltimore, wealthy Baltimoreans began buying large parcels of Govans land for country retreats. In 1846, Joseph William Patterson purchased 55 acres of Drumquehastle. Once president of the B&O Railroad, Patterson is remembered as well for his sister, Betsy, who married Jerome Bonaparte, younger brother of Napoleon, then emperor of France. A house, dating to approximately 1800 was on Patterson's land, but by 1857 he had remodeled and expanded it, and named it after the Vale of Evashem, in Worchester, England. The stately mansion was reached by following a picturesque, winding drive from Evashem Avenue across a wooded bridge over Chinquapin Run. The house, with steeply gabled roofs, stained glass windows, and walls two feet thick, was crowned by a "widow's walk", which afforded a view that reached as far as the Bay. Fields of hay, grain and corn spread out around the house. Chinquapin trees, a variety of dwarf chestnut, surrounded along the banks of the stream. A stucco house on Dartmouth Road at Hunstel Road is all that remains of the original estate. The old mansion, which many older residents remember well, was sold to the city after most of its acreage was bought by developers. It was razed in 1961 to make room for a school that was never built.