Federal Hill is a neighborhood that lies to the south of Baltimore’s central business district. The area is very significant in the growth of Baltimore’s early maritime trade. It contributed to the growth and early development of the city. The Federal Hill Historic District consist of 20+ blocks south of the Inner Harbor. The neighborhood is named for the prominent hill on Federal Hill Park that rises from Key Highway and giving you a view of the Inner Harbor’s skyline. It provides a open recreational space within the city. It’s a venue of important events in Baltimore’s History. Its been used as a signal observatory to identify vessels from 1795- 1902, the venue for the ratification of the US Constitution and a military outpost during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
This particular community includes many residential brick rowhouses and some with small front yards. Commercial buildings are concentrated between Charles and Light Streets. A variety of churches, school buildings, and community- related facilities, recreation center, fire station, library are all in this diverse urban area including the industrial waterfront south of the Inner Harbor. The residential area that developed in this vicinity housed both merchants and laborers employed directly or indirectly by the port.
Federal Hill’s architecture is amongst the most diverse in Baltimore which includes many of the earliest houses in the area. They are Flemish bond brick construction with gabled roofs and dorm style housing. It also have Post Civil War and Victorian era houses that have stained glass, bracketed cornices, ornate storefronts and iron fencing. Federal Hill is a multi-use community with recreational, social, residential, commercial community and educational facilities that still plays an important role in Baltimore’s growth and development today.
