What do you really know about where we live, beyond Bolton Hill’s historical roots, its charming architecture and your friendly neighbors? A deep dive into available census and other gathered data about the neighborhood offers several surprises for those who see us strictly as a neighborhood of grand old three-story 19th century red brick rowhouses with white marble steps and high ceilings.
This year, the sidewalk in front of 225 Lafayette Avenue presents a spectacular display of twinkling lights, layers of greenery, a lighted Christmas Tree, and garlands of colorful glass baubles tucked under a new black and white striped awning. Through the front windows, you can see more lights, sumptuous bronze and silver garlands, beautiful flower arrangements, sculpted tabletops, and candles galore.
What’s the oldest house in Bolton Hill? Most sources will tell you it’s the cottage at the northwest corner of Lanvale and Bolton streets, but those claims may not have been entirely accurate.
As I walked around Bolton Hill and read all the blue historical plaques on homes identifying former residents, I was motivated to do research on who had owned the house I live in at 1526 W Mount Royal Ave. before it was converted to apartments. Interesting tile work around the fireplaces got me curious as to what inspired a resident to select that design.
Bolton Hill’s Eutaw Place has an important anniversary this month: it was on March 19, 1853, that Baltimore’s city council passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept from Henry Tiffany the deed for land now in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Eutaw Place, to create what was then to be called “Eutaw Square.”
Bolton Hill real estate values continued to rise in 2024, with 38 properties changing hands in the neighborhood at an average price of $466,510 and a median of $445,000, according to Live Baltimore, the non-profit organization working to boost the city’s population and support healthy housing markets.
Mike M. has created his paradise. It is a bespoke British glasshouse tucked away in the back corner of the side yard of his home at a spot near West Lafayette Ave. and Eutaw Place.
Bolton Hill’s Blue Plaques Task Force this month announced the addition of five new markers on residences that have been in the past homes to people who made a significant difference to the quality of life in Baltimore or on a larger stage.
If ever there were a time and place for the city’s historic preservation office to enforce the city’s Demolition by Neglect Ordinance, the time would be now and the place would be at 1232 Druid Hill Ave., just west of Bolton Hill.
So, what’s a Bolton Hill homeowner – or would-be homeowner – to do in 2023? Is this the right time to put your house on the market, or to jump from renting to owning your home?
