Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts
October 12, 2009
August 31, 2009
The Shot Tower #67
Ok. . .Apparently C is very excited to tour the Shot Tower. This should be perfect for my fear of heights and confined spaces. Tours are by appointment only. . .
The Phoenix Shot Tower was built in 1828 and at 215 feet tall was the tallest building in the US until 1846. Apparently, they used to make about 2,500,000 pounds of "drop" shot annually in the tower up until 1892.
The guide at the Carroll Mansion was telling us that if you search the Internet for the Phoenix Shot Tower (or maybe Baltimore Shot Tower) there are all kinds of made up stories and rumors about what it's used for. He said one account said the city stored it's gold there. Ha! I haven't Googled yet. . .Maybe while I'm waiting outside waiting for C to emerge from the tour and my panic to subside?!
The Carroll Mansion #54
So as you might recall, I've been reading and learning about the Carroll family and their presence in Maryland. The Carroll Mansion was the winter residence of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He was cousin to John Carroll - whom we learned about at the Basilica, and was also related to Carroll the Barrister of Mount Clare. Carroll of Carrollton was the last surviving signer of Declaration of Independence. (And if I recall the only Catholic signer).
The mansion is undergoing restoration and was very sparsely furnished but the docent was excellent and more than made up for the decor. Here is the beautiful staircase.
The Carroll Mansion is located at 800 East Lombard Streets. Tours are given year-round Wed-Sun, 12-4 (mainly on every hour) or by appointment. If the place isn't a mob scene, ask for a sneak peak of the adjacent Carrollton Inn. It's owned by same family that runs the Gammercy Mansion and it's easily just as well appointed and charming. The clerk happily showed us at least 5 of her favorite rooms, the dining room, the parlor, and the gardens. I might just ask for an overnight visit there for our anniversary it looked so great!
Fells Point #52 - Lancaster & South Durham Sts
I haven't been at the intersection of Lancaster and South Durham Streets in ages. Johns Hopkins has been on a major building and development spree for quite some time now. C and I were astounded to look up Durham Street and see the massive, multi-colored glass-front building at Hopkins blocks and blocks away.
Fells Point #46
Arrrgggghhhhh! The didn't mess around. The tourist pirate ship looks very well appointed. I understand it's also available for "adult" cruises - which apparently involves BYOB and bombarding unsuspecting pleasure watercraft with water balloons.
Fells Point #44 - The Pirate Ship
Given Baltimore's privateering history, it's fitting we have a tourism operation with a pirate theme. . .
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