Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Fell's Point is a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, and home to a variety of shops, restaurants, coffee bars, music stores, and over 120 pubs. Located on the harbor and famous for its maritime past, it now boasts the greatest concentration of pubs/bars in the city. The pubs and bars in Fell's Point provide excellent entertainment and nightlife. This waterfront community is a much-visited location in Baltimore, accessible by water taxi
, freeway, and several bus lines. The neighborhood has also been the home of large Polish, Irish, and Puerto Rican populations throughout its history. In recent years a steadily increasing numbers of middle to upper middle income residents have moved into the area, driving up property values. Fell's Point is one of several areas in and around Baltimore that are listed on the National Register of Historic Districts, and the first from Maryland.
Some of the first vessels commissioned for the US Navy were built in Fell's Point shipyards, including the USS Constellation
in 1797. However, the area became best known for producing topsail schooners, sometimes erroneously called Baltimore clippers, renowned for their great speed and handling. They were excellent blockade runner
s, and were frequently used as armed privateer
s. The Pride of Baltimore II is based on the Chasseur
, built by Thomas Kemp, which was one of the most successful privateers built in Fell's Point.
During the War of 1812
, Fell's Point built and supported dozens of privateers who preyed on British shipping vessels. Thus, Baltimore became a principal target of the British during the war, which eventually led to the bombardment of Fort McHenry
.
Another growth industry in Fell's Point was immigration
, and it became a major point of entry into the United States. Since jobs were plentiful in shipbuilding and in the warehouses and factories, many of the immigrants stayed in Fell's Point. This added to the multicultural fabric of the area, but also caused the more affluent to move into other parts of the city.
Fell's Point remained a shipbuilding center until the Civil War
, when it could no longer accommodate larger ship designs. Likewise, the shipping industry slowly moved away to larger facilities, and the area transitioned into a manufacturing center, with innovations in canning and packing. The neighborhood escaped serious damage during the Baltimore Fire of 1904, which destroyed the financial area downtown. Eventually, much of the manufacturing left the city, resulting in urban decay
until preservationists organized to save the area's historic buildings. The cobblestone
streets of Fell's Point lend to its unique historic character, which attracts many tourists and businesses to the area.
In 1965, transit planners proposed to link I-83
and I-95
by building an elevated highway along the north shore of the Baltimore harbor. This project would have entailed extensive demolition within Fell's Point, and the highway would have cut off the remainder of the neighborhood from the waterfront. A freeway revolt
against the proposals was raised by local residents and derailed the project. Fell's Point's addition to the National Register of Historic Places prevented the use of federal funds for the road project, and contributed to the project's cancellation. One of the leaders of the revolt was Barbara Mikulski
, who would go on to become a U.S. Senator from Maryland.
Fell's Point achieved some fame as the central setting for the 1990s network police drama Homicide: Life on the Street
, and has been the site of many films shot in Baltimore.
Fell's Point, located to the east of the Inner Harbor
, suffered extensive flooding during Hurricane Isabel
in September 2003, with water as high as 10 feet.
of 2000, there were 3,050 people residing in the neighborhood. The racial makeup of Fell's Point was 71.3% White
, 8.5% African American
, 0.5% Native American
, 3.0% Asian
, 4.5% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
of any race were 19.3% of the population. 37.0% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied. 17.4% of housing units were vacant.
68.8% of the population were employed, 3.0% were unemployed, and 27.1% were not in the labor force. The median household income was $46,167. About 7.5% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line.
Water taxi
A water taxi or water bus, also known as a commuter boat, is a watercraft used to provide public transport, usually but not always in an urban environment. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops, operating in a similar manner to a bus, or on demand to many locations, operating in a similar...
, freeway, and several bus lines. The neighborhood has also been the home of large Polish, Irish, and Puerto Rican populations throughout its history. In recent years a steadily increasing numbers of middle to upper middle income residents have moved into the area, driving up property values. Fell's Point is one of several areas in and around Baltimore that are listed on the National Register of Historic Districts, and the first from Maryland.
History
Founded in 1730 by William Fell, who was attracted by its beautiful, deep water and proximity to agriculture and thick forests, Fell's Point became a shipbuilding and commercial center. About 1763, William's son Edward Fell laid out streets and began selling plots for homes. The town grew quickly, and eventually incorporated with Baltimore Town and Jones Town in 1797 to form the City of Baltimore. The area grew wealthy on the tobacco, flour, and coffee trades through the 18th and 19th centuries.Some of the first vessels commissioned for the US Navy were built in Fell's Point shipyards, including the USS Constellation
USS Constellation (1797)
USS Constellation was a 38-gun frigate, one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. She was distinguished as the first U.S. Navy vessel to put to sea and the first U.S. Navy vessel to engage and defeat an enemy vessel...
in 1797. However, the area became best known for producing topsail schooners, sometimes erroneously called Baltimore clippers, renowned for their great speed and handling. They were excellent blockade runner
Blockade runner
A blockade runner is usually a lighter weight ship used for evading a naval blockade of a port or strait, as opposed to confronting the blockaders to break the blockade. Very often blockade running is done in order to transport cargo, for example to bring food or arms to a blockaded city...
s, and were frequently used as armed privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s. The Pride of Baltimore II is based on the Chasseur
Chasseur (ship)
Chasseur was a Baltimore clipper commanded by Captain Thomas Boyle, a American privateer. She sailed from Fells Point in Baltimore, where she had been launched from Thomas Kemp's shipyard in 1812...
, built by Thomas Kemp, which was one of the most successful privateers built in Fell's Point.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Fell's Point built and supported dozens of privateers who preyed on British shipping vessels. Thus, Baltimore became a principal target of the British during the war, which eventually led to the bombardment of Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay...
.
Another growth industry in Fell's Point was immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, and it became a major point of entry into the United States. Since jobs were plentiful in shipbuilding and in the warehouses and factories, many of the immigrants stayed in Fell's Point. This added to the multicultural fabric of the area, but also caused the more affluent to move into other parts of the city.
Fell's Point remained a shipbuilding center until the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, when it could no longer accommodate larger ship designs. Likewise, the shipping industry slowly moved away to larger facilities, and the area transitioned into a manufacturing center, with innovations in canning and packing. The neighborhood escaped serious damage during the Baltimore Fire of 1904, which destroyed the financial area downtown. Eventually, much of the manufacturing left the city, resulting in urban decay
Urban decay
Urban decay is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude...
until preservationists organized to save the area's historic buildings. The cobblestone
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
streets of Fell's Point lend to its unique historic character, which attracts many tourists and businesses to the area.
In 1965, transit planners proposed to link I-83
Interstate 83
Interstate 83 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. Its southern terminus is in Baltimore, Maryland at the Fayette Street exit; its northern terminus is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at Interstate 81....
and I-95
Interstate 95 in Maryland
Interstate 95 in Maryland is a major highway that runs diagonally from northeast to southwest, from Maryland's border with Delaware, to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, briefly entering the District of Columbia before reaching Virginia...
by building an elevated highway along the north shore of the Baltimore harbor. This project would have entailed extensive demolition within Fell's Point, and the highway would have cut off the remainder of the neighborhood from the waterfront. A freeway revolt
Freeway and expressway revolts
Many freeway revolts took place in developed countries during the 1960s and 1970s, in response to plans for the construction of new freeways, a significant number of which were abandoned or significantly scaled back due to widespread public opposition; especially of those whose neighborhoods would...
against the proposals was raised by local residents and derailed the project. Fell's Point's addition to the National Register of Historic Places prevented the use of federal funds for the road project, and contributed to the project's cancellation. One of the leaders of the revolt was Barbara Mikulski
Barbara Mikulski
Barbara Ann Mikulski is the senior United States Senator from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Mikulski, a former U.S. Representative, is the longest-serving female senator in U.S...
, who would go on to become a U.S. Senator from Maryland.
Fell's Point achieved some fame as the central setting for the 1990s network police drama Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
, and has been the site of many films shot in Baltimore.
Fell's Point, located to the east of the Inner Harbor
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and iconic landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World.” The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the...
, suffered extensive flooding during Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
in September 2003, with water as high as 10 feet.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,050 people residing in the neighborhood. The racial makeup of Fell's Point was 71.3% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 8.5% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.5% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 3.0% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 4.5% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of any race were 19.3% of the population. 37.0% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied. 17.4% of housing units were vacant.
68.8% of the population were employed, 3.0% were unemployed, and 27.1% were not in the labor force. The median household income was $46,167. About 7.5% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line.
External links
- Fell's Point Main Streets Web Site
- Fell's Point Web Site
- Fell's Point Baltimore
- Fell's Point Guide
- Fell's Point Ghost Tours
- Fell's Point Preservation Society Web Site
- Fell's Point Residents' Association Web Site
- Demographics from Neighborhood Indicators Alliance
- Baltimore, Maryland, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary