Ghosts of Baltimore

The lost and untold history of Baltimore. New and old stories from the archives.

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In February 1925, a guard named Robert Holtman let an inmate with a burned arm into the Baltimore prison hospital. Minutes later Holtman lay dying on the brick floor, and Richard Reese Whittemore was gone.

https://t.co/ll3yYw6CNu

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In 1910, half a million Baltimoreans looked up as French aviator Hubert Latham crossed the city in a monoplane, chasing a $5,000 Sun prize.

https://t.co/8k3ytuTENc

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In 1911, Lewis Hine photographed Bessie, age 4, and Marietta, age 7, shucking oysters in a Biloxi cannery. Their mother, Ida Thompson, was from Baltimore. How did they get there?

https://t.co/UWSsju9QmO

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In February 1925, the Afro-American printed the names of 68 midwinter graduates of Baltimore's first Black public high school. One name in the second column: "Marshall, Thurgood."

https://t.co/DXk1BKbSnP

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Terrapin a la Rennert, cigars, and a wine simply called The Rennert. Upstairs, Senator Gorman lay on a lounge with a headache while Maryland's Democratic bosses cut their deals.

https://t.co/rdzqZaMosf

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

A thermostat alarm went off in a dry goods building on Liberty Street at 10:48 a.m., Feb. 7, 1904.

https://t.co/F4NECCJ2H3

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In December 1918, a wounded soldier at Fort McHenry's Army hospital asked to help build the library, "though he had but a left hand to offer."

https://t.co/5Hq3lSRW8x

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In 1911, Henry B. Gilpin climbed the steel framework of the giant medicine bottle atop Emerson Tower just to see Baltimore from up there. His verdict: "a dandy experience."

https://t.co/kznruBixmU

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Baltimore's first automatic traffic light went up at North and Mount Royal in 1924. A few years later, an inventor rigged one you could change by honking your horn. Then a dog figured it out.

https://t.co/g5M76kBBZw

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

A ten-story wall of stainless-steel letters once stood on 33rd Street, ending with "Time will not dim the glory of their deeds." How Baltimore built, filled and tore down Memorial Stadium:

https://t.co/oUNYSRh4IF

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

In 1861, Gen. Ben Butler's men warned him Federal Hill was mined and they'd all be blown up. He grabbed a lantern and went to see for himself.

https://t.co/vKa7GAbObY

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Before Harborplace, watermelons were thrown man to man off the Pratt Street boats, and buyers inspected them in midair. Plus a 1,500-pound hog off the Norfolk steamer.

https://t.co/JQpiqn13Gs

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Before Camden Yards meant baseball, it was a $170 million plan for 700 homes, two office towers and a 500-room hotel. "It will be built," the developer said in 1979.

It wasn't.

https://t.co/p7TsxV8EPh

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Ghosts of Baltimore is back. First up: Al Capone.

Fresh out of federal prison in 1939, he spent four months in Baltimore. Nobody could agree on who was guarding him.

https://t.co/zEhKyr545W

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Uncovering the Beauty of Camden Station: A Look Back at a Vintage 1872 Photograph #ReRun https://t.co/HwSTWXMyxX

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

It is a little-known fact that Babe Ruth's uncle was responsible for the death of his father, George Herman Ruth, Sr. #ReRun https://t.co/jhSoOgtmms

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Explore Baltimore's history by taking a journey through a 1910s photo of the Homewood Apartment Building. Compare it to how it looks today by viewing it on Google Street View. #ReRun https://t.co/Wvq5Qr6zfh

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Remembering the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904: A Defining Moment in Charm City's History #ReRun https://t.co/qNYBBMeqeY

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

Be amazed by an amazing old photograph from 1872 depicting Baltimore Harbor from Federal Hill. Prepare to be captivated by the intricate details! 😮 #ReRun https://t.co/psMUhhgNdz

[Ghosts of Baltimore @GhostsofBmore]

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Exploring 1940s Baltimore Through Photos of Guilford, Fayette, and Howard Streets #Baltimore1940s #ReRun https://t.co/49tIxBy4w4