Baltimore in the 1850s Archives - Ghosts of Baltimore

1853 Towson Town Plan

Map dated Dec. 14, 1853 which shows proposed lots for a courthouse, jail and alms house in Towson Town, Md., if it is chosen as the county seat of Baltimore County by the voters.

Colored lithograph by E. Sachse & Co., one of two prominent lithography companies in Baltimore in the mid-1800's, that features various views of Baltimore prior to 1853. The center view is from Federal Hill but differs somewhat from others in the collection taken from the same point. From the upper left corner, in clockwise order, the small surrounding views are as follows: Washington Monument, Market-Street, Broadway, City Hotel and Battle Monument, Odd Fellows Hall, St. Paul's Church, Exchange Hotel, Calvert Street City Spring, Lighthouse and Fort McHenry, Gateway of Greenmount Cemetery, The Cathedral, St. Alphonsus Church and Zion's Church. The Market Street scene in upper row is a miniature replica of the Market Street print in this collection, Cator Print number 168. The Odd Fellows Hall at Gay and Fayette Streets was built in 1831 and enlarged in 1843. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, built in 1817 after designs by Robert Cary Long, was destroyed by fire in 1854. It stood on the site of the present St. Paul's Church which was built immediately thereafter. Among the other prominent structures shown, Old Zion Church, St. Alphonsus Church and Greenmount Cemetery gateway are standing today. The view of the harbor was made from the landward side of the Lazaretto.

A Look Back at Baltimore in 1853 Through a Rare Print

Take a look back at the city of Baltimore as it appeared 160+ years ago through this rare print from 1853. View the Washington Monument, Market Street, Broadway, City Hotel, and more in this historic lithograph by E. Sachse & Co.

Baltimore Sun advertisement October 22nd, 1853

Uncovering History: An Old Advertisement from 1853 in The Baltimore Sun

Take a look at a piece of history with this Baltimore Sun advertisement from 1853. Discover the Giles' European Hotel from 124 Baltimore Street, printed in The Baltimore Sun 160 years ago today.

Uncovering the Story of a Runaway Slave From Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

A look back at the story of a runaway slave from Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 1858. Through research, the Edwards family was found in the 1870 U.S. Census. Learn more about the runaway slave notice from the Baltimore Sun in 1858.

Uncovering Fascinating Statistics from the Baltimore Sun: Prisoners in the Penitentiary in 1850

This article uncovers fascinating statistics from the Baltimore Sun about prisoners in the penitentiary in 1850. Read on to learn more about this interesting historical data!

The Cost of a Journey to California in 1850: A Baltimore Sun Advertisement

Take a look at this Baltimore Sun advertisement from 1850 for the steamship Cherokee, commanded by Henry Windle, departing for Chagres, Panama. See how much it cost to travel to California before the Panama Canal was built! A state room was $100, or $3,000 today, and passage to California was $300, or $9,000 today.