2010 Tour du Port - Starting Location - Canton Waterfront Park
Register for Baltimore's Premier Bike Event - the Tour du Port (TdP)! The TdP route is an especially scenic and historic route that is fairly flat and well within the ability of most novice riders. It is also a lovely experience for more experienced riders. The route (approximate mileage):
The ride begins and ends at the Korean War Memorial, meandering through more than EIGHT fascinating Baltimore City communities, waterfront areas and parks including: Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, Canton, Dundalk, Patterson Park, Federal Hill, North Point State Park, Little Italy and Highlandtown. See Baltimore from an intimate angle and enjoy Charm City's historic neighborhoods and landmarks. Mountain or hybrid bicycles (including tandems and recumbents) are ideal for this event because their wider tires are better suited for the city roads, streetcar tracks, and cobblestone streets that are part of what makes Tour du Port unique. Thousands of riders have successfully participated using road bikes.
Inner Harbor:
Formerly the site of Baltimore's shipping trade, the Inner Harbor was recreated as a retail and historic site, starting a national trend of revitalizing downtown. Check out the USS Constellation, a Civil War-era ship docked in the Inner Harbor. The National Aquarium in Baltimore features stunning exhibits and more than 11,000 aquatic animals. The Maryland Science Center has three full floors of hands-on exhibits, IMAX films, planetarium shows, kids' room, observatory, Science Store and a new café. On the way to Fell’s Point, check out the Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum and the new Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.
Fell's Point:
Established during the colonial era, Fell’s Point is a neighborhood rich in history, attractions and colorful people. Englishman William Fell purchased the land in 1726, realizing its potential for shipbuilding and shipping in colonial America. Beginning in 1763, his widow Ann Bond Fell and son Edward divided and sold the land to speculators and adventurers anxious to take part in the growth this natural deep water port promised. Docks, shipyards, warehouses, stores, homes, churches and schools quickly turned Fell's Point into a bustling seaport that was the commercial heart of the area.
Fell's Point was annexed by Baltimore Town in 1773 and then the two were incorporated, along with Jones Town, as Baltimore City in 1797. Shipping traffic moved upriver to the docks at the Inner Harbor when its channel was dredged, but shipyards thrived here, most notably as builders of the famous clipper ships that irritated the British so thoroughly during the War of 1812 that they tried to capture Baltimore by land (stopped at North Point) and sea (stopped by Fort McHenry).
The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 destroyed many of the city's old buildings, but Fell's Point was spared when the fire was finally stopped along the banks of the Jones Falls. Check out the Fell's Point Visitor Center and the Robert Long House for the look back at Baltimore's past. And watch out for those cobblestones.
Canton:
The Canton area was developed from the plantation of merchant seaman, John O'Donnell, in the late 1800's 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 1900's European immigrants settled in the area, most notably, Welsh, Irish, German and Polish. More recently, as industry moved out, new housing and marinas have been developed along the waterfront.
Dundalk:
Dundalk was founded when Henry McShane decided to move his bell foundry from Baltimore after part of the foundry burned in 1893. The railroad line followed the foundry to the area in 1895, and officials told the McShanes that they must choose a name for the railroad stop. William James McShane, Henry's son and the vice-president of the foundry, wrote "Dundalk,'' the name of his father's hometown in Ireland, on a board and nailed it to a tree near the railroad. In 1916, Bethlehem Steel bought its Sparrows Point plant from the Maryland Steel Company.
The steel giant created the Dundalk Company, which purchased 1,000 acres of land near McShane's railroad stop. The company hired E.H. Bouton, designer of Roland Park, to create a "workingmen's Roland Park.'' The community was designed to be close enough to the Point to commute to work, but far enough away from workers to escape the noise of the mills.
Patterson Park:
Patterson Park is an urban jewel and one of the oldest parks in Baltimore. First settled by Quinton Parker in 1669, it was purchased at auction in 1792 by William Patterson for $8,500 and was considered to be at the edge of what was called Baltimore Town.
On Hampstead Hill, the ridge where the Pagoda now stands, Baltimoreans rallied on September 12, 1814 to protect the city from the threat of a British invasion. The British had entered the Patapsco River and bombarded Fort McHenry. By land they amassed forces at North Point. As they marched on to Baltimore, they were able to look up to Hampstead Hill and see Rodger’s Bastion - 100 cannons and 20,000 troops. The British returned to their ships and sailed away.
With its historic significance and fine view of the harbor, this area became a popular place for citizens to promenade and picnic. In 1827 in an effort to re-create the beauty of the public walks that he had seen in Europe, Patterson offered the mayor of Baltimore six acres of land on the hill. The city eagerly accepted. In 1850, the city purchased another 29 acres from Patterson’s heirs. On the evening of July 13, 1853, twenty thousand citizens were there when the park was formally introduced.
Baltimore City purchased an additional 30 acres of land and plans began to create park structures fashioned after those in Central Park. However, by 1861 when the Civil War threatened to dissolve the Union, all parks and open spaces were earmarked for troop occupation. Camp Washburn was established. Once again, Hampstead Hill was a strategic military lookout and fortification.
Charles H. Latrobe, then Superintendent of Parks, designed the Pagoda, originally known as the Observation Tower, in 1890. Erected on Fort Hill, also known as Hampstead Hill, the Pagoda still stands on this site. The Parks Commission approved the design in 1891 and construction began in June of that same year under contract with Cornelius Sheehan, at a low bid of $16,730. Patterson Park is a living museum to Baltimore’s heritage and future and is by far the Best Backyard in Baltimore.
Federal Hill:
Captain John Smith discovered Federal Hill in 1608 on his first exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. It earned its name in 1788, when thousands of Baltimoreans marched from Fell's Point to the hill in celebration of the Maryland General Assembly's ratification of the Constitution.
Shortly after Independence, an observatory was erected on the hill so merchants could get advance warning of the arrival of their vessels. During the Civil War, Federal troops occupied the hill and trained their cannon on the city, whose loyalty to the North was in some doubt.
For much of the 19th century, the Federal Hill shore shared the city's thriving shipping trade and related industries with Fell's Point. Federal Hill itself was mined for sand for a nearby glass works, leaving behind some caverns that exist to this day and are a favorite subject of legends. Modern Federal Hill was born around 1960, when urban pioneers bought and began renovating homes in what had become a dowdy neighborhood. But the existence of the neighborhood was threatened in the mid-60's by a plan to plow through it with an interstate highway, part of a complex of connecting freeways that would have demolished the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point. The residents rebelled, joined hands across the harbor, and eventually defeated the plan. The rebuilding of the Inner Harbor area in the late 70s and early 80s greatly increased interest in Federal Hill as an enclave of intimate residential streets within minutes of the city's business and entertainment heart.
Sights in Federal Hill include the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the 18th-century brick fort from which soldiers defended Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812, and is the birthplace of the American national anthem. Also check out the American Visionary Art Museum as you head back to Rash Field on Key Highway -- designated by Congress as America's national museum and educational center for self-taught art.
North Point State Park:
While the North Point area has been continuously farmed for 350 years, evidence of human occupation dates back 9,000 years. The park boasts 11 prehistoric archaeological sites and is further complemented by nine historically significant sites.During the War of 1812, the North Point property was the site of several skirmishes between units from the Maryland State Militia and British troops invading Baltimore from the southeast. Advancing (and retreating) British troops passed through the North Point area.
In the first half of the 20th century, a small section of the North Point property was occupied by an impressive amusement park. Built by the United Railways and Electric Company in 1906, Bay Shore Park was an attractive getaway for residents of Baltimore City and the surrounding areas. In its heyday, meticulously manicured gardens and pathways accented sprawling grounds, and elegant Edwardian architecture dotted the landscape. For the price of a trolley ride, young and old alike could seek respite from the city’s oppressive summer heat at the park’s saltwater bathing beach, large picnic area and amusement attractions. Like most of the Chesapeake’s seaside amusement parks, Bay Shore Park was closed in 1947. Today little remains of this once premier park.The property was then purchased by Bethlehem Steel in an attempt to prevent rival U.S. Steel from developing a manufacturing plant there. Remarkably, Bethlehem Steel’s ownership resulted in the property’s ultimate preservation, leaving its diverse, unique natural and historical areas virtually untouched by intrusive activities.
Learn about the North Point Heritage Greenway Trail at the North Point Peninsula in southeastern Baltimore County
The North Point Heritage Greenway Trail is envisioned as a multi-use trail enabling residents and visitors alike to explore the rich character of the North Point peninsula. The Trail will provide a safe, walkable route linking neighborhoods, schools and other community facilities, historic sites, and Chesapeake tidal wetlands while offering the healthy benefits of active recreation. As a portion of the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, the Heritage Trail will enable users to retrace the steps of invading British troops during the Battle of Baltimore. The Trail will also connect area school children with the natural wonders of North Point. Details of the Trail have not been finalized. Contact fralintay@comcast.net if you have trail questions or suggestions.
Little Italy- information soon
Highlandtown-information soon
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