Union Square
About Union Square
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Named for the graceful park at its center, Union Square is a diverse urban setting – home to art galleries, artist studios, H.L. Mencken’s life-long residence, and spacious three-story Italianate and Victorian rowhouses. On the historic ground of Southwest Baltimore known to locals as Sowebo, Union Square is less than a mile from Camden Yards and within walking distance of the Inner Harbor, B&O Railroad Museum, Ravens Stadium, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The state-of-the-art UMB Biotech Park on West Baltimore Street is a recent addition, with portions still under construction. A public golf course is nearby, next to the newly-renovated Montgomery Park office building. Access to I-83, I-95 and the MARC Train to Washington, D.C. are minutes away.
A 2.5 acre public space at the west side of the neighborhood, Union Square Park dates from 1847 and contains the community’s signature structure, a Greek Revival Pavilion (1850) with fluted iron columns. Other features include the H. L. Mencken Memorial Fountain (1976) and curved walkways with park benches. Throughout the year, there are many impromptu events in the Square, including neighborhood dinners, outdoor movies, tag sales, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Pumpkin Carvings, and various other parties.
A vital part of the community, Hollins Market was built in the Italianate style in 1838 at the east side of the neighborhood and is Baltimore’s oldest home to food merchants.
The Union Square / Hollins Market District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1967. The historic district is significant for its architecture and history, which reflect the development of urban America. The district is a community of well-preserved rowhouses used for both residential and commercial purposes and, as a result, it is a fine example of a nineteenth century neighborhood.
On the Square and on nearby streets, spacious three-story rowhouses predominate. Most are pre- and post-Civil War Italianate in style, but there are many examples of Early Victorian Greek Revival and Late Victorian Romanesque Revival. A majority of the homes have ten- to fourteen-foot ceilings, tall distinctive windows, wood floors, and plaster walls. Exteriors are brick and mortar facades with attractive cornices and marble steps. On the side streets and alleys there are an additional variety of charming two-story and two-story-with-attic rows. House prices range from $40,000 to $400,000.
An uncommon synergy prevails in the neighborhood as residents, both longtime and newly-arrived, work together through various committees and forums to enhance the area’s quality of life. Toward that end, Union Square is also actively engaged in outreach with other nearby neighborhoods and non-profit groups. This historic neighborhood is marked by classic architecture, period street lamps, brick sidewalks and stately row homes.