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Neighborhood Spotlight: 4 Things You Need to Know About Historic Fell’s Point

Maybe you’ve driven through it. Maybe you’ve spent the day there. Maybe you even live there. Whichever it may be, we all have a special place in our hearts for the Southeastern Baltimore neighborhood of Fell’s Point.

Giving off a trendy, yet historic vibe, the cobblestone streets of Fell’s Point have quite a storied past. So next time you’re in the old neighborhood for a bite to eat, a stiff drink, or just a walk around the shops, try to keep in mind these four things about Fell’s Point:

  1. Fell’s Point was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 21, 2007
Fells Point, Baltimore photo credit: baltimore.org
Fells Point, Baltimore
photo credit: baltimore.org

First named Long Island Point in 1670, Fell’s Point was established in 1730 by an English Quaker named William Fell. After purchasing 100 acres on the Patapsco River, Fell established the area’s first shipyard. Thirty-three years later, William’s son Edward plotted out streets on the land and began selling lots, thus creating Fell’s Point. If you walk around the neighborhood today, you’ll find most of the streets laid out by Edward almost exactly the same as they were over 250 years ago. Fell’s Point is also still home to the oldest standing residence in Baltimore City, the Robert Long House at 812 S. Ann Street.

 

  1. It was once known as the nation’s largest shipyard

Fell’s Point, the deepest point in the natural harbor, soon became the colony’s main ship building center. As shipyards began to grow up the river, some of the most storied vessels in American sailing history were built. Among these vessels were the Constellation, which was the first ship to be commissioned in the United States Navy in 1797, and the Chasseur used in the War of 1812.

  1. It was once home to brothels, bars, and boarding houses

Fell’s Point is still home to many 18th- and 19th-century houses and storefronts, most of which once served as boarding houses, brothels, and bars. Sailors arriving from all corners of the world once crowded into rowdy saloons and lewd boarding houses of Fell’s Point while they awaited the next ship. As Fell’s Point became known by the mid 1800s, news stories about wild brawls outside of taverns and prostitutes robbing their clients were standard.

  1. Many people believe that the old buildings are now haunted

what-a-cool-placeGhost tours are readily available in the neighborhoods of Baltimore, and you can see why. The many haunted taverns, shops, and residences in the community seem to come alive at night according to the residents. Some of the eerier spots include The Horse You Came In On, a pub on the last street before docks, where it is rumored to have been one of Edgar Allen Poe’s favorite drinking spots. There’s also The Cat’s Eye Pub which, according to many patrons, is haunted by several ghosts who lived when the bar was a brothel.

Fell’s Point is just one of the many neighborhoods that contribute to the city’s historic charm. Knowing more about each area helps us all to appreciate them just a little bit more.

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Josh Mente

Real Estate Leader Josh Mente, is a founding member and owner of The MD Home Team of Keller Williams Excellence, and is responsible for business administration and marketing for the firm. Josh’s career path began in 1998 as a loan officer for Eastern Savings Bank, where he managed national accounts. He later joined Option One Mortgage originating more than 500 transactions per year valued at $100M+ in sales. In 2006, Mente shifted his expertise to real estate sales, gained his license and focused on buy/fix/sell transactions. Josh is a member of Elite Real Estate Network (ERN), the 2009 Rookie of the Year for Long and Foster corporate, and in 2012 ranked 206 and 2013 ranked 234 in Real Trends of the Wall Street Journal, ranking in the top 250 agents nationwide for all brokerages. From any early age, Josh was introverted and worked hard to overcome a fears of sales - a business that doesn't lend itself well to introverted people. When challenged by a manager that he didn’t have what it took for a specific job, Josh pushed forward and won approval in his new position. That was a pivotal moment that set the pace for his success in real estate sales. Having earned an AA degree from Montgomery College in business administration in 1995 and a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Towson University in Mass Communications 1997, Josh married his college sweetheart Melinda and they now have three wonderful daughters that provide the opportunity to watch them grow up and experience things for the first time. A committed sports fanatic, Josh spends time on the golf course, and follows the Ravens and Orioles as a season ticket holder. He is a part owner of two restaurants in Manhattan, enjoys music and time away with the family at their beach house in Rehoboth, DE. He hopes to find time for his hobbies that include building furniture, playing guitar, learning Spanish and flying planes.

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