Federal Hill Walking Tour

Situated on a street grid with street names retained from its original settlement, Federal Hill demonstrates distinctive characteristics of a significant place combining various architectural styles and workmanship well-preserved over the course of its long history. Federal Hill comprises about 24 city blocks just south of the Inner Harbor. At its northeast corner, Federal Hill Park rises steeply from Key Highway overlooking the downtown skyline and providing open recreational space for the community.

The neighborhood retains remarkably intact streets of largely residential properties reflecting the eras in which they were built and the economic status of their early residents. Likely the oldest house in the district at 130 East Montgomery dates to the late 1700s, built of wood with side gables. This form continues in many early examples in Flemish bond brick construction with gabled roofs and dormers. Simple Greek Revival rowhouses are found throughout the district, along with many Italianate rowhouses, along with a few detached houses with small front gardens. Details include stained glass, bracketed cornices, and iron fencing.

Join us on a tour of the Federal Hill neighborhood and learn about the history of the waterfront, park and charming homes and streets. Notable stops include the Major General Samuel Smith Monument; 200 ½ Montgomery Street (“the half house”); the Watchman Volunteer Fire Co. House; the original Southern High School; Cross Street Market; Rope Walk Alley and more!

Tour guide Jerome Gray is not only a neighborhood resident and architect, but also a prolific sketcher and painter who documents Baltimore buildings both artistically and through historic research on his Instagram page.

Meeting place: Corner of Warren Ave. & Battery Ave. (the southwest entrance to Federal Hill Park)