
During the last week of June, I spent a few days in Baltimore, Maryland. I didn’t have a lot of time to explore, but I did have to walk to and from meetings and meals, and I was fortunate to walk past some very interesting doors.
Many of the doors are the kind most door aficionados understand very well – they are interesting doors that stand on their own merit. We don’t need to know much about the building, the builder or what sits behind the door – we just know that we like the door. Other doors in the gallery have a little history associated with them, and I’ve tried to include that in the captions. You can click on a photo to start a slide show, in which the full captions are visible. One set of doors is attached to nobility, which, in the United States, is rare. These are the doors of The Lord Baltimore Hotel. According to the National Registry of Historic Places nomination form:
“The Lord Baltimore Hotel is a 22 story, 120 f X 150* building located at Charles Center in downtown Baltimore. This steel frame structure with a brick veneer and granite base is capped with an octagonal tower and French Renaissance style mansard roof. The base of the building features three large arched multi-paned windows which can be considered Georgian in style. The base is decorated with Indian Head and Lord Baltimore stone medallions. The U-shaped brick shaft which rises above the base is sparsely decorated except for Benedict stone trim on the upper and lower levels and large lion head stone ornaments at the 17th floor. The tower which caps the building features granite trim at the roof line and a copper covered mansard with carved stone dormers.”
In terms of Lord Baltimore, the royal, there were actually six of those rascals. The one that we’re interested in is Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore for whom the city, and presumably the hotel, were named.
- Sir George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore (1579–1632)
- Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore (1605–1675)
- Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore (1637–1715)
- Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore (1679–1715)
- Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore (1699–1751)
- Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore (1731–1771)
While he may not sport a royal lineage, Norm Frampton, the organizer for the Thursday Doors blogfest, is a gracious host and a fine photographer. Norm’s doors are always worth a look, and they line the entrance to the Thursday Doors Gallery. From Baltimore, you need to travel about 450 mi (725 km) northeast to Montreal. I can make those arrangements for you, simply click here. When you get to Montreal, look for the blue frog – click that little tadpole and he’ll take you into the gallery here you view the other doors and share yours with the world.
Unfortunately, the gallery is lacking a great picture of the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Neither my pics or the ones submitted with the NRHP nomination form are very good.
Terrific doors, Dan! I think the old Bank building is my favorite. I love the colors. Even the color photos have an antique feel to them. I was in Maryland once but don’t think I went to Baltimore. I was near Annapolis and had flown i to DC. It’s so pretty there in the Autumn. Great doors as always. Enjoy your time off!
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Thanks Cheryl. I did like that building. If I lived in a city, I’d like to live in a building like that. I think I’m done traveling to DC, unless I go as a tourist.
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That’s a good thing I suppose. You got to see a lot. I doubt I would choose to go back to DC. Once was enough, though interesting.
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I made it a point to visit Arlington. I would have gone back to see that if I hadn’t.
I may do some day trips and some overnights, but, other than visiting my brother, I don’t see much travel in my future. Unless it involves a serious train ride 😏
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Of coures! Toot, toot! I saw a lot when I was in DC. Arlington, Plymouth Rock museum, part of the Smithsonian, Lincoln memorial and Washington Monument. I can’t believe I did all that alone.
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Wow, that’s a lot. I could spend days in some of the museums.
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I too was struck by your shot of the Central Savings Bank, which harkens back to a time when we conducted our banking transactions with real bank tellers and not just with faceless ATMs. Nowadays bank buildings are pretty much the same as other commercial buildings, nondescript and lacking in character. One of the coolest things about your door postings is the reminder of the amazing diversity in what often looks like a cookie-cutter daily world.
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Thanks Mike. I always feel good when I see that they’ve preserved some of these buildings. The stuff we build today is usually pretty blah.
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Hear! Hear! Your last sentence summed it up perfectly!
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I haven’t been to Baltimore in several years, so I enjoyed the tour and assortment of handsome doors. And, I’m guessing you found a nice cold one to go with your meal at Mick O’Shea’s. :-)
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I did indeed, Judy. It was tough sitting amidst so much Ravens memorabilia, but good food, nice local beers and a friendly bartender.
The city has a tired look, but it seems like a lot is happening. Maybe it’s on the long rebound like do many old industrial cities.
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This is a beautiful hotel. Your photos are great and convey a kind of wistful glimpse into a time past when travel was stylish and formal.
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Thank you, Ally. I was mesmerized while standing in the old lobby area.
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The Central Savings Bank building is my heart! I imagine the condos to be spacious with high ceilings. I hope they are–to be able to live in one of those…..walking distance to everything. My kind of place. Great doors, Dan.
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If I lived in an urban area, Lois, this is the kind of building I would choose.
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I love the Central Savings Bank, the Lord Baltimore Hotel and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Beautiful structures from top to bottom. When I was growing up, banks, hotels and churches were the most elegant buildings around. The old photos inside the hotel show a time where formality and grace and elegance were every-day occurrences, and all done with great style and taste.
🔹 Ginger 🔹
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I’m right with you. Walking into a hotel lobby today is a very bland, transactional experience. Walking into a bank…I can’t remember the last time I did that.
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Love the photos, Dan. Banks tend to be in lovely old buildings, don’t they?
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I like to see the. Preserving the old bank buildings. They were so elegant inside and out. Thanks!
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Old buildings have a soul, a history, they are evocative. New buildings are simply there.
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That’s so true, and so sad about the new ones. There’s almost no emotion when you walk in.
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Those pictures of the historic buildings sitting amongst the stark, modern ones really amplify the difference in architectural styles. I hope we can hold on to the old ones and not let them get eaten up by “progress.” Love the corner door!
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I love corner doors. I’m so glad to see the old buildings being reused, even if for a new purpose. So much thought and effort when into them. “Progress” is a word that so often needs to be in quotes.
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The church, the old newspaper office are my favorites in this series for their juxtaposition to the modern buildings surrounding them.
The Baltimore Hotel looks grand! I love the red bricks with the natural stone, and their windows.
The Cafe Poupon, is it really a popcorn shop? Poupon as its name seems odd to me, b/c it doesn’t mean popcorn. It’s just Popcorn even in French. 🤷♀️
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I thought it said popcorn. Oh well, not paying attention is a characteristic I exhibit often.
I do like brick buildings and I love seeing the ones that look like they’re holding out against the threat of progress.
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It’s a baby shop :P I was waiting to see whose French would get here first ;)
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:) Your French is so much better than mine!
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Thanks! Although, I would have rather it been popcorn :)
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ME TOO
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I have updated the caption – thank you!
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Excellent post, Dan. I really like the NRHP photos even though they are not terrific. Gives a bit of a frozen time feel. :-D
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DOOR INNA CORNER! Why do they always make me happy? Oh, and you forgot a Lord Baltimore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hauser Indian tracker featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a real guy painted by John Hauser.
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Yes, I did see a reference to that one 🙂 I might like him better.
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BTW, I love corner doors !
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You weren’t too far from where I grew up in Newark, Delaware.
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Wow. I’ve been in DC a bunch, and Philly but this was my first time in Baltimore. I’ll have to look Newark, DE up on a map.
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Get out your magnifying glass! We lived in Landenberg, Pa. when I was little and I loved it there. Lots of farms and rolling hills; a child’s paradise to romp and play.
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Found it! Pennsylvania has some beautiful country.
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My favorite place in the world!
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The Lord Baltimore definitely looks haunted!
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Ha ha – that’s an interesting assessment.
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I like the pillars on either side of the doors on the bank and The Grand. St. Paul’s and the hotel – I prefer the architectural detail and windows rather than the doors. So, for having almost the whole package, my favorite I think has to be the one with the angled windows, the door is great too.
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Thanks. I like everything. My favorite is the old bank, but I really do like this angled windows. It’s an interesting detail. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve only been to Baltimore once about six years ago and only for a day. We were at Camden Yards and then the harbor/waterfront area. This impressive old hotel makes me wish I had stayed to explore a little more. The savings bank building is my fave though because it has two of the features I enjoy the most: corner door and columns.
Fun post Dan :-)
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I do like the bank building the best. I’d like to go to Camden Yards, maybe in the future. This was two days full of meetings and meeting-meals. I got up early and walked a bit.
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I like the first brownstone building pic the best. And I’m going to Baltimore next month.
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I hope you enjoy your visit. I had some great seafood while there, and some good local beers.
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Man, that bank is stunning. Everything about it is attractive. I’m glad you caught a person there for scale, too. I wouldn’t have thought it was so big!
Lord Baltimore deserves a great facade for his name’s sake, I suppose. It’s a grand place, as is that Old Paul’s church. Love them both.
I always enjoy the old photos, too, and that hotel lobby shot is so moody — that’s a great old shot.
Lots of great stuff today, Dan! :)
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Thanks! I like the bank the best of all. I’m so glad they have restored that building. I think it would be a fun place to live.
I always like finding old photos in the NRHP nomination forms. They are often taken from vantage points that a tourist can’t get to.
The sixth Lord Baltimore died without a male offspring, so the line ended with him.
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I like all the photos, but my favorite ones are usually the ones with people – for some reason a single person just reflects the season, a mood, and adds something unique., Not always, but in some of the city shots they do – ya know?
anyhow, enjoyed the random – and Baltimore has a nice history
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I used to edit and try to get photos without people but I decided that, unless it’s a crowd in front of the door, I’m good with people. It makes it look alive.
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yes, you are right – has that alive feeling – and I can also agree that there might be times when we need 100% door-guess is depends on the post – and with a city highlight post a few folks add something.
and it makes me wonder how “some” of the images with people will look 30 years from now.
Like once in a while I see a picture from the 1970s and the pointy collars leap out…
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Central Savings Bank and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – I’m in seventh heaven. Marvelous photos and doors, Dan. Thank you.
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Thanks Jennie. The bank is my favourite.
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You’re welcome, Dan. It’s quite stunning. Good to know it’s your favorite.
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Hi Dan – Baltimore has lots of history (relatively!) … so great to see all your doors – and having just been to Vancouver … see similarities in some of the buildings – though not as old as Baltimore … cheers Hilary
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I love Vancouver. I haven’t been there since around 2004
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It’s changed monumentally I’d say … you’ll probably see when I do my write up … amazing place … but of today! Hope you get to go back … but perhaps not a good idea … still lots to see here …
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I’d like to go back, but it’s a hike from here.
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More reasons to like Baltimore.
And I notice Café Poupon, the bakery with a French touch. It’s not far from where my daughter lives.
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I messed up on that shop but I like the doors. Baltimore has a lot going for it and, like most old industrial cities, it needs a lot of help.
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The city has changed in the good direction, but more has to done, especially to make some neighborhoods safer. It’s so different from one to another. I know that most cities are like that. But maybe more in Baltimore.
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It is great to see the old black and white from NHR in comparison to the current photos you share. It is an interesting building.
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Thanks. I always like it when I find those older photos.
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Great doors…love the pics!!
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Thanks Kirt – I really like the old bank building. I’m a sucker for a corner door.
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I love the architectural appeal…
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These are some seriously cool doors…
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Thanks. I love finding the old ones.
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Great images. The Lord Baltimore Hotel looks great but I also liked the Episcopal Church image. There is so much of history that I would have missed out if I hadn’t been your friend. I don’t have the funds to travel the USA, but your posts provide a virtual tour which is good for me.
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You have reciprocated with a grand tour of India. A cultural exchange.
These old brick and stone buildings are the hallmarks of some of the best years for cities like Baltimore. Most industrial cities fell in hard times in the 60s and 70s. Many are still trying to recover.
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I think my love for old buildings come from the fact that I have always lived in such structures. I mean the building where I was born and lived the initial 26 years of my life was around 100 years old. My school building was more than 100 years old and my college was around 150 plus years old. The only new building I live in is where I live now. Luckily South Bombay still has most of the heritage buildings, while some are in bad shape, I think around 65% of buildings are still in good shape.
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It’s tough to work the modern conveniences into those buildings, but they have such character.
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Gorgeous photos of a land *giggle* I’ve never seen. One day the East Coast! Thank you for sharing them, Dan.
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The east coast has a lot to offer but a lot of cities here are still struggling. Still, I love seeing the history.
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Love seeing Baltimore doors — and not just because I’m a long-suffering Orioles fan! Good pics, Dan, as always.
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I’m glad you like them, Paul. I wish those birds could chase after those two big-money teams.
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Plenty of fascinating door scenes here and if I’m not mistaken, there is a Dan-in-the-door photo!
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Ha ha – yes there is. Good eye!
Thanks.
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