Federal Hill Park
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Federal Hill Park | |
---|---|
Type | Baltimore, Maryland |
Coordinates | 39°16′47″N 76°36′31″W / 39.2798°N 76.6086°W |
Created | 1880 |
Federal Hill Park is a 10.3 acres park located in
History
John Smith’s Hill
The first
The Federalist
In May 1788, Baltimoreans paraded through the streets to celebrate the State of Maryland's ratification of the United States Constitution the seventh state of the first nine required out of the original Thirteen Colonies to do so. The parade featured a 15-foot scale model of a fully rigged sailing ship named the Federalist led by then young naval hero Joshua Barney that was to be installed atop John Smith's Hill. The day turned into quite a celebration; the thousands of celebrants were treated to "untold quantities" of grog, toddy, beef, ham, and cheese, financed by leading Baltimore business scions. Revelers were having so much fun that they opted to slide the Federalist down the hill and launch it from "The Basin" (today"s Inner Harbor) to be sailed later down the Chesapeake Bay to the state capital at Annapolis, following then up the Potomac River to be presented to retired Continental Army General George Washington at his riverfront Mount Vernon estate plantation. This celebration was so legendary that Baltimoreans renamed ‘John Smith’s Hill’ in tribute to the party boat. Hence the origin of the Park's name: "Federal Hill".[3]
Observatory
Federal Hill's views were first put to commercial use in 1795 when, in cooperation with the Maritime Exchange, Captain David Porter established a "marine observatory" and signal tower on the site. The tower provided a panorama that stretched a good 15 miles or more down the Patapsco River. Spotting an incoming ship, the watchman would unfurl the observatory's "house flag" to alert the merchants and ship owners at the Maritime Exchange of an imminent arrival.[4]
War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore
A military battery was built on Federal Hill in anticipation of an attack by sea from the
Civil War and Fort Federal Hill
The hill gained notoriety during the
19th and 20th century
For much of the 19th century, the Federal Hill shore shared with Fell's Point the city's thriving shipping trade and related industries. Federal Hill itself was mined for sand for a nearby glassworks, leaving behind some caverns which exist to this day and are a favorite subject of legends.[8] Modern Federal Hill was born in the 1960s, when a few hardy pioneers bought and began renovating homes in what had become a forgotten neighborhood. Federal Hill was threatened in the mid-60 by plans for an interstate highway. Residents rebelled, joined hands across the harbor, and eventually quashed the plans.[9]
The rebuilding of the Inner Harbor area in the late 70s and early 80s greatly increased interest in Federal Hill as an enclave of intimate residential streets within minutes of the city's business and entertainment heart. Due to the traffic and development, particularly at the foot of the Hill along Key Highway and Covington Street, the Hill has collapsed at least twice during the last 10 years, requiring the city to fund major reconstructive efforts to preserve Federal Hill Park.
One refurbishment project was completed in 1995 and in 2000, the park was rededicated after a nearly $2 million stabilization project to combat an erosion problem.
Present day
Today, Federal Hill Park captures one of the most iconic views of the Inner Harbor.[citation needed] The "great red bank of clay" is now a big green hillside, used by picnickers and star-gazers.[citation needed] Monuments commemorating history enhance the Park, cannons that once manned at Fort Federal Hill during the Civil War are featured, as well, embellishing the promenade that overlooks the downtown cityscape. Bikers, hikers and parents behind strollers are common in the park.[2]
Recreation
At the foot of Federal Hill Park lie recreational features such as a basketball court (recently renovated by Baltimore-based Under Armour sportswear) and Rash Field, containing a variety of events and activities including beach volleyball and a gated kids playground area.[10]
References
- ^ "Visit Baltimore - Federal Hill, Baltimore". Historicfederalhill.org.
- ^ a b c "About Federal Hill – South Harbor Renaissance – Federal Hill Park". Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ^ "Federal Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland". MiniTime.com.
- ^ "FEDERAL HILL ONLINE". Federalhillonline.com.
- ^ "What Did Fort Federal Hill Look Like in 1862? - Ghosts of Baltimore". Ghostsofbaltimore.org. 5 October 2015.
- ^ "George Armistead Monument on Federal Hill". Monumentcity.net. 2 March 2009.
- ^ magazine, Baltimore (1 April 2011). "Where The Civil War Began". Baltimoremagazine.com. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ "Lore and lies about underground passages fascinate". Articles.baltimoresun.com.
- ^ "Preservation Society of Federal Hill and Fell's Point | Greater Baltimore History Alliance". Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ^ "Federal Hill Park". Archived from the original on 2016-01-12. Retrieved 2016-02-06.