Monument City » Midtown

Fallsway Fountain Monument (Baltimore, MD)

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:43:34 +0000

Location

E Biddle Street & Guilford Avenue (Street View)

GPS: 39° 18′ 12.00″ N 76° 36′ 42.60″ W

History

The Jones Falls Expressway is a mostly above ground thoroughfare connecting the northern suburbs of Baltimore to downtown. Created around 1960, the motorway is the city’s main north-south artery. The highway project started where the old Fallsway system ended. The Fallsway was a massive public works project that took place between 1911-1916, consisting of elevated downtown roads that passed over the Jones Falls waterway. The stream, impounded at Lake Roland in north Baltimore, eventually empties into the Inner Harbor. The Fallsway ended dangerous overflows onto city streets, making travel in downtown safer and more efficient. Parallel to the creation of this roadway, a new sewage and water system was built. Before the government opened the works, they arranged a tour of the operations by automobiles, impressing the local media. James Harry Preston, who served as Mayor from 1911-1919, spearheaded the effort. A Monument, sculpted by Hans Schuler, was erected to commemorate the Fallsway.

Notes

Installed at Eager Street and the Fallsway, in 1915, the fountain was re-located by Mayor Theodore McKeldin in 1967. After comparing postcards from the early 20th century, it appears that the monument was only moved a few blocks north during the expressway’s creation. The statue is of a woman holding a shield in one arm and a vase, that once poured water, in the other. She is sitting atop a pedestal inscribed with the names of commission members involved in the Fallsway’s development and completion. The pool at the structure’s front is now filled with dirt, the fountain long since operational. Theodore Wells Pietsch served as architect.

Nearby

Links

James Cardinal Gibbons Memorial (Baltimore, MD)

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:19:06 +0000

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Location

W Mulberry Street and Cathedral Street (Street View)

GPS: 39° 17′ 39.60″ N 76° 36′ 58.20″ W

History

Dedicated Dec. 17, 1967, this monument depicts Cardinal James Gibbons (1834-1921), Archbishop of Baltimore. Sculptors: Harold Schaller and Betti Richard. Gibbons served as a chaplain at Fort McHenry during the Civil War. Gibbons was the second American to be elevated to the office of cardinal. Notable for his support of the labor movement. There’s another monument dedicated to him in Washington, DC.

Notes

The monument is located within the gate at the Baltimore Basilica, in the southwest corner, diagonally across the property from the papal prayer garden. Gate is open during the day, with a ramp and staircase. The monument’s inscription describes him as an “exemplary citizen” and “friend of humanity.” Enoch Pratt Free Library faces Gibbons across Cathedral Street.
Nearby

Links

Smithsonian entry for this sculpture
On Panoramio & Flickr

Pope John Paul II Monument & Prayer Garden (Baltimore, MD)

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:32:36 +0000

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Location

W Franklin Street and N Charles Street (Street View)

GPS: 39° 17′ 42.19″ N 76° 36′ 56.38″ W

History

Commemorates Pope John Paul II’s 1995 visit to Charm City. The trip came at the invitation of William Keeler, who was elevated to Cardinal by the pontiff. The sculpture is based on a photo of the Pope arriving in Baltimore, embracing two Baltimore children. The prayer garden is also dedicated to religious freedom and ecumenism. Artist: Joseph Sheppard; garden designed by Scott Rykeil. Once the site of the historic Rochambeau apartments which were demolished to create this contemplative space. Ground-breaking ceremony held April 11, 2008.

Notes

Located in the prayer garden at the north-eastern corner of the Basilica of the Assumption, also known as the Baltimore Basilica. Across the street is the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, which bears a uniquely beautiful facade of its own. A high-energy location as traffic flows in from the east and south.

Nearby

Links

An urban ’sanctuary’: Archbishop O’Brien dedicates Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden (includes video)
Baltimore Remembers Visit By Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden Groundbreaking press release
On Panoramio & Flickr