Architecture Culture of Baltimore

1 architecture

1.1 row houses
1.2 formstone
1.3 marble steps

architecture
row houses

simple row houses these in locust point make of baltimore s housing stock.

baltimore noted near-omnipresent row houses. row houses have been feature of baltimore architecture since 1790s, examples of style still standing in federal hill, locust point , fells point neighborhoods. older houses may retain of original features, such marble doorsteps, considered baltimore icons in themselves. later row houses dating 1800s–1900s can found in union square , throughout city in various states of repair. popular renovation property in neighborhoods undergoing urban renewal, although practice viewed warily harbinger of yuppification , particularly when term town house used instead of row house. around city, row houses can found abandoned , boarded-up, reflective of baltimore s urban blight.

formstone

a tour through many of baltimore s row house neighborhoods reveal façade style not found in many other cities, formstone. introduced in 1950s, formstone modern-day solution baltimore brick poor needed frequent painting keep deteriorating. formstone became icon of status many homeowners.

the appeal of formstone that, once installed, required virtually no maintenance. salesmen boasted insulation lasted forever , first cost last no upkeep or repair required. salesmen pointed out formstone one-third cost of other façade improvement solutions. colorful stucco-veneer gave stone-like appearance shaped different textures. formstone particularly popular in east baltimore, residents believed stone imitation made neighborhood resemble of eastern european town, thought had appearance of affluence.

patented in 1937 l. albert knight, formstone similar product invented 8 years earlier in columbus, ohio, , called permanent stone. permanent stone veneer. in 1970s preservationists , rehabbers felt formstone took away historic , architectural value of homes , many had removed. can costly , time consuming process. once removed, brick requires thorough acid-wash cleaning , repointing of grout.

marble steps

marble steps, east fort avenue, locust point, august 2014

marble steps used @ front entrances of rowhomes in baltimore. use of marble steps due presence of high quality white marble in cockeysville, town 17 miles north of baltimore s inner harbor highway. indeed, marble found there attractive, stone hauled way northern maryland town nation s new capital, instead of local potomac marble quarries, use in decorative construction around washington, d.c., including washington monument, , 108 columns of capitol building. during construction phase of washington monument, through middle of 19th century, marble gained in popularity decorative stone , used omnipresently steps of row houses surrounding baltimore s inner harbor , in fells point. scrubbing marble steps has become tradition in baltimore. ritual includes scrubbing marble bon ami powder , pumice stone.