JUMP TO A TIME PERIOD
In 1789, the Baltimore Abolitionist Society was founded — the first of its kind in the South.
The group included Quakers, Methodists, Lutherans, and Baptists, centered around what is now the Inner Harbor and Otterbein. There is also evidence that the Sharp Street corridor may have been a hub of the Underground Railroad.
In 1797, the Abolitionist Society opened the African Academy of Baltimore, the first African American school in the south and the first purpose-built African American school in the country.
By 1857, more than 300 African American families lived in South Baltimore.
The area was home to a broad mix of incomes and jobs, from laborers to lawyers. Immigrants, entrepreneurs, and free African Americans all rubbed shoulders.
With the construction of the B&O Railroad tracks between Howard and Eutaw Streets, and the building of Camden Station, the western boundary for the neighborhood was set in brick and iron.
In 1907, a report on housing conditions and poverty identified the Otterbein area as overcrowded with a death rate greater than Baltimoreʼs average.
Officials responded by building a citywide sewer and park system. Around 1913, the Hamburg Street and Ostend Street viaducts were built, and in 1914 the Hanover Street Bridge was opened.
In 1931, the area was zoned for heavy industrial use. Many industries acquired adjacent properties to expand and residents began leaving the area.
After World War II, highway engineers drew plans to build highways through Baltimore.
The planning process and the construction of I-395 greatly accelerated deterioration of the neighborhood.
In 1966, the City demolished 360 houses and relocated 3,000 residents. Between 1968 and 1974, approximately 620 families were relocated (over 80% were African American).
Sharp Leadenhall residents responded to these tumultuous times with extraordinary efforts.
Local resident Mildred Mae Moon joined a citywide coalition. Together, activists squelched the proposed highway that would have demolished buildings throughout south Baltimore.
In the 1990s, organizers fought to restore what was lost and create new housing.
Now, the Neighborhood was divided in two. The northern Otterbein half — which was predominately white — was given more resources to rebuild than the lower Sharp Leadenhall half.
Mildred Mae Moon helped secure federal Urban Renewal funds to build a 77-unit Senior housing midrise project and 100 townhomes. In April of 1993, the Hamburg Street Bridge on Sharp Leadenhall’s western border was dedicated to Mildred Mae Moon.
The neighborhood is leading a revitalization effort with a coalition of city officials, residents, and nonprofit developers.
In the last few decades, community efforts in Sharp Leadenhall have been led by Betty Bland-Thomas. A life-long Baltimore resident, Ms. Betty moved into her home on Cross Street in 1999 and became president of the neighborhood association in 2001.
Ms. Betty has been recognized for her dedication to Historic Sharp Leadenhall. She is the winner of the Neighborhood Design Center’s 2023 Baltimore Community Advocate of the Year award, and Heritage Baltimore’s 2024 Historic Preservation award.
THE NEIGHBORHOODʼS ADVOCACY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:
Received CHAP Designation (City Historical and Architectural Preservation District).
Commissioned the Megaphone Project production of a 15-minute documentary short called, “Sharp Leadenhall: A Promise to Keep” designed to capture the disparity in the neighborhood.
Worked in collaboration with the Baltimore City Department of Planning on the creation of the “Sharp Leadenhall Master Plan” in 2004 to assure that low-income housing was built in response to rising housing costs in the nearby communities of Otterbein and Federal Hill.
The neighborhood was critical in pushing for the full-time opening of the Hamburg Street Light Rail Station in 2005. (The station has since been renamed to the Stadium/Federal Hill Light Rail Station).
In 2018, the neighborhood association engaged with state and local entities, including State Senator Bill Ferguson and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, for the creation of the Solo Gibbs Master Plan. One part of the plan was installment of a new recreation center for which money was finally allocated in 2022 from the state.
Supported archaeological digs and the preservation of historical artifacts from Solo Gibbs in 2023 and 2024.
Changed to neighborhood parking designation to assuage traffic on game days for the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles.
Created street banners that celebrate historical figures.
Launched our website as a tool to celebrate our impressive past and secure the resources we are due.
THERE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY, PARTICULARLY WITH GENTRIFICATION:
In 2023, the Baltimore City Council passed CB 22-0295 which changed the regionʼs zoning to allow more than 160 market-rate units as a part of a planned development at 810 Leadenhall St. Residents called for an equitable development that includes affordable housing and to amplify the rich Black history in Sharp Leadenhall.
Solo Gibbs Master Plan delays.
Street calming requests through city council and DOT.
Affordable housing Sharp-Leadenhall Master Plan failed.
Lack of continued relationship with Stadium Authority.
Continued disinvestment.
YET THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
OUR ONGOING PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Senior programming.
Clean streets, neighborhood beautification, wayfinding signage, and street banners.
Annual Heritage Festival.
Monthly meetings and walking tours.
Food giveaways for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays
Historic Preservation efforts.
Acquisition of city lots for future affordable development project
We believe more people should know about this amazing history.
Share our story with your friends and neighbors so that Historic Sharp Leadenhall can be properly recognized for our many contributions in shaping past and present Baltimore.