Downtown

Location

Downtown Baltimore serves as an icon for both the city and the region. While the term itself generically refers to the central core of Baltimore City, it specifically refers to the following areas: City Center, Inner Harbor, West Side, and Camden Yards.

Zip Code: 21201 and 21202

Description

City Center: The historic heart of Downtown Baltimore, City Center encompasses such communities as Historic Charles Street, Charles Center, Market Place and is home to hundreds of businesses and offices.

Downtown's Inner Harbor features world class attractions such as the National Aquarium and Port Discovery Children's Museum as well as thousands of hotel rooms and acres of meeting space. One can enjoy fine shopping, dining, and entertainment at Harborplace, the Power Plant, and Power Plant Live. Nearby communities include Little Italy, Historic Jonestown, Harborview, and Inner Harbor East.

The focus of massive new investments, Downtown's West Side is being transformed by ambitious development projects such as the just completed Atrium at Market Center. West Side communities include University Center, and the Loft District.

Home to both the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens, Camden Yards is much more than just architecturally acclaimed sports stadiums. Camden Yards is the gateway to downtown with unparalleled access from I-395, the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and MARC's Camden Line with service to Washington DC. Enjoy the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, neighborhood bars and restaurants while you are here. Nearby communities include the neighborhood of Ridgley's Delight and the Carol Camden Business Center.

History

Downtown Baltimore has been the stage upon which much of Baltimore's history has played out since the City was incorporated in 1796.

Here are some significant and esoteric milestones:

The first monument to George Washington, a 128-foot marble tower, was established in Downtown Baltimore in 1829.

In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while imprisoned aboard a British ship in the harbor. The original manuscript is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society.

Downtown Baltimore was nearly destroyed during the great fire of 1904. Total damages reached $150 million.

Established in 1806, the Basilica of the Assumption is the nation's oldest Roman Catholic cathedral.

Downtown Baltimore was the home of the first commercial electrical streetcar line.

The first branch of the YMCA was established at Pratt and Schroeder streets.

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office in what is now the Garmatz Federal Office Building.

In 1995, Cal Ripken played his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record set by Lou Gehrig IV, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.