Union Square

Location

Just nine-tenths of a mile from the finest baseball stadium in the land at Camden Yards, the Union Square/Hollins Market Historic District is sited on the rich historical ground of Southwest Baltimore known to locals as Sowebo. We are bounded by S. Schroeder and S. Fulton streets from the east and west respectively. W. Baltimore and W. Pratt streets make up our northern and southern boundaries. Union Square proper, just west of the market, is bounded by S. Carey and S. Fulton streets from the east and west respectively, and by W. Baltimore and W. Pratt Streets from the north and south. The Inner Harbor, B&O Railroad Museum, Ravens Stadium, and the University of Maryland-Baltimore are all within walking distance. A public golf course is nearby, adjacent to the newly renovated Montgomery Park office building. Access to Interstates 83, 95 and the MARC commuter train to Washington D.C. are minutes away. The Union Square/Hollins Market District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Zip Code: 21223

Description

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.

History

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.