Baltimore Ghosts
Odds & EndsStreetlightsStreetcarsStreetsSigns & SignalsRailroadsBuildingsVintage Advertising
Email MeWhat's NewLinksForum BoardIntroduction

Streets
Curbside Treasures
Photos by JoAnne Schmitz and Adam Paul
with special Thanks to Greg Halpin and Brad Schlegel

For most people, a curb is something that one pays little attention to.  Pedestrians use it for safely while waiting to cross the street while motorists try to avoid hitting it when parrallel parking.  Certainly there is nothing of interest to be seen on the curb, is there?

Well, if one's interests are as eclectic as mine, you actually can entertain yourself peeking about the curbs of Baltimore, as you might very well find some very tangible traces of life long ago in the monumental city.  Here are some examples of Baltimore's Curbside Treasures:
Survivors
Ball and Bender
The "Ball and Bender" in the 200 Block of East Redwood Street is certainly an odd sight in the middle of the Financial District.  Many Thanks to Brad Schlegel for this lead!
 Ball and Bender Plaque
Plaque on the "Ball and Bender" reads:
THIS BOMB
was fired from a British Warship during the Bombardment of Fort Mc Henry September 13 and 14, 1814 and fell inside the fort.  It was presented to Michael Hewser by an Officer of the Fort.
THE RACK
on which it rests was used to bend bar iron so that it could be advantageously loaded into the old Conestoga wagons before wagon transportation had been superseeded by railroads.
Stone Horse Ring on Calvert Street
On Calvert Street just North of Mount Royal Avenue lies this stately hitching post, carrying a monumental look to it.
 Another view of same stone
Another view of the old hitching post on Calvert Street.
Horse mount at Fayette and Eutaw
Another hitching post stands on the Southwest Corner of Fayette and Eutaw Streets, outside the recent home of the Baltimore Equitable Society.  One has to wonder how many years it's gone since securing a horse.
 Marker at Broadway Market
Outside the Broadway Market, the original stall markers can still be found on the cubstones, such as 60 and 61 shown here.  Thanks to Greg Halpin for this lead.  Photo courtesy of JoAnne Schmitz.
Calvert Street Ring
Not as glamourous as the Ball and Bender, but remarkable in its survial nonetheless is this ring laid into the curb of the East side of Calvert Street below Baltimore.  It was likely used to secure horses many years ago.
GOT ANOTHER GOOD CURBSIDE TREASURE?!? CONTACT ME!!!
HOME