Pigtown, Baltimore
Encyclopedia
Pigtown, known sometimes as Washington Village, is a neighborhood in southwest Baltimore bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on the east, Monroe Street on the west, Russell Street on the south, and the B&O Railroad Museum
on the north. It is also known as the birthplace of the famous baseball player Babe Ruth
. It is rumored to have got its "pig" name from the scores of pigs that would be herded through its narrow streets every day on their way to be slaughtered
in meat-packing plants. Pigtown is well known across the country for its eclectic community festival, the Pigtown Festival.
Pigtown's proximity to the I-95
corridor, the University of Maryland Medical System campus, Gerald Field, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
and M&T Bank Stadium
, and downtown Baltimore have brought upscale townhomes to the eastern edge of the neighborhood, including the eclectic renovations of Barre Circle
, one of Baltimore's famous dollar-house neighborhoods.
However, other parts of the neighborhood have remained working class, as a trip down any alley or street will illustrate. This evolutionary process has created one of the few communities in Baltimore that are completely mixed racially, culturally and economically. There are approximately 2,740 homes in this community, which unlike many other Baltimore City neighborhoods continues to enjoy an influx of population. From 1980 to 1990 the population increased 3%, from 6,503 to 6,705 people, strengthening Pigtown's racial and socioeconomic diversity even more.
Pigtown, named as such due to the pigs that used to be brought in on the B&O Railroad and then run through the streets to the slaughter houses. Pigtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 2006. This neighborhood is undergoing a revitalization and with its proximity to downtown Baltimore, I-95
and 295, and the MARC train
to Washington DC, it is becoming more and more attractive to young residents who want urban living at an affordable price.
and the MARC Camden Line. The latter, along with the neighborhood's proximity to I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway
, make the neighborhood of interest to an increasing number of people who work in Washington, D.C.
but are looking to get out of Washington's expensive housing market. The bus that serves the area is the MTA Maryland Route 36.
B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum is a museum exhibiting historic railroad equipment in Baltimore, Maryland, originally named the Baltimore & Ohio Transportation Museum when it opened on July 4, 1953. It has been called one of the most significant collections of railroad treasures in the world and has the...
on the north. It is also known as the birthplace of the famous baseball player Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. It is rumored to have got its "pig" name from the scores of pigs that would be herded through its narrow streets every day on their way to be slaughtered
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
in meat-packing plants. Pigtown is well known across the country for its eclectic community festival, the Pigtown Festival.
Pigtown's proximity to the 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...
corridor, the University of Maryland Medical System campus, Gerald Field, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
and M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of...
, and downtown Baltimore have brought upscale townhomes to the eastern edge of the neighborhood, including the eclectic renovations of Barre Circle
Barre Circle, Baltimore
Barre Circle is a small neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is often considered to be a part of Pigtown. Most of the neighborhood's historic homes range from 1840 to 1890, with many populated by graduate students at the nearby University of Maryland's Baltimore campus...
, one of Baltimore's famous dollar-house neighborhoods.
However, other parts of the neighborhood have remained working class, as a trip down any alley or street will illustrate. This evolutionary process has created one of the few communities in Baltimore that are completely mixed racially, culturally and economically. There are approximately 2,740 homes in this community, which unlike many other Baltimore City neighborhoods continues to enjoy an influx of population. From 1980 to 1990 the population increased 3%, from 6,503 to 6,705 people, strengthening Pigtown's racial and socioeconomic diversity even more.
Pigtown, named as such due to the pigs that used to be brought in on the B&O Railroad and then run through the streets to the slaughter houses. Pigtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 2006. This neighborhood is undergoing a revitalization and with its proximity to downtown Baltimore, 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...
and 295, and the MARC train
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
to Washington DC, it is becoming more and more attractive to young residents who want urban living at an affordable price.
Transportation
Eastern portions of Pigtown are within easy walking distance of the Camden Yards Transportation Center, served by both the Baltimore Light RailBaltimore Light Rail
The Maryland Transit Administration Light Rail is a light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and the surrounding suburbs.In downtown Baltimore it uses city streets...
and the MARC Camden Line. The latter, along with the neighborhood's proximity to I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
The Baltimore–Washington Parkway is a highway in the U.S. state of Maryland, running southwest from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. The road begins at an interchange with U.S. Route 50 and Maryland Route 201 near Cheverly in Prince George's County at the D.C...
, make the neighborhood of interest to an increasing number of people who work in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
but are looking to get out of Washington's expensive housing market. The bus that serves the area is the MTA Maryland Route 36.