Canton, Baltimore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Canton is a neighborhood located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The neighborhood, located in the southeastern section of the city, is traditionally centered around O'Donnell Square (home to several bars, a former fire station, an art gallery, and several restaurants), though new developments in recent years have added other focus areas to the neighborhood.
Canton Waterfront Park & Fishing Pier Park, two marinas and a public boat launch, DuBurns Soccer Arena, and many small interesting restaurants. Close to Patterson Park, Fells Point, Highlandtown, Greektown and minutes to downtown.
[edit] History
The Canton area was developed from the plantation of merchant seaman, John O’Donnell, in the late 1800s by his son, Columbus O’Donnell, William Patterson, and Peter Cooper. The land was sold for expanding waterfront industrial uses and housing to support the blue-collar workers. During the early 1900s, European immigrants settled in the area, most notably, Welsh, Irish, German and Polish. In the past several years though, as industry moved out, new housing and marinas have been developed along the waterfront and gentrification of the existing housing has occurred further inland.
The first branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, is located in Canton on O’Donnell Square. The branch has been in continual operation since 1886.
[edit] Housing stock
The majority of houses in Canton are turn of the century two- and three-story rowhouses on narrow and wide streets. Some of the homes closer to the water date from the Civil War. New townhouses at Canton Square and the Anchorage. Waterfront apartments and condominiums in rehabilitated industrial buildings. Senior housing at Indeco, the Distillery, Messiah House, and proposed in the old Eastern Avenue shoe factory.
