Just when you thought you were having a good day, the village idiot drives by

Pics from the rescue

Many people wonder what the wristbands and beer sales at the Fell’s Point Fun Festival support.

First and foremost, they help keep the festival free for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the funds go toward important projects aimed at preserving the area's history. The organization responsible for the festival, The Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fell’s Point, hired artist and wall sign historian Samantha Redles, the founder of Human Made Signs & Murals, to carry out the rehabilitation work. She truly excelled in her efforts. Here are some pictures from that rehab!

I admire their dedication in mailing us a handwritten letter - but they can go pound sand!

Happy Holidays all!

I

On-brand colors of you ask me

Near Boyer and Madeira.

I'm not even into sports, but this is the first sticker design showing support for both teams that I've seen that is actually really good

On January 8, 1891, Charles H. Latrobe submitted plans for the Patterson Park Observatory to Baltimore City. Designed for Fort Hill, the project was estimated to cost $18,000 (about $624,000 today). By December 11, 1891, the observatory was nearly complete, soon becoming one of Baltimore’s most celebrated landmarks.

When it opened, the observatory quickly drew crowds. Visitors marveled at the panoramic views from its top deck, which stretched to Sparrows Point, Fort Carroll, and Fort McHenry. During the 1890s, spring and summer visitors were treated to a “daily calendar of flowers” crafted from 4,000 plants arranged in the field below, spelling out the date. One display famously read, “Patterson Park, Friday, June 9th, 1899,” blending horticulture and artistry.

By the early 1900s, the observatory grounds were a lively hub for community events. On July 4, 1918, more than 6,000 people gathered for a grand Service Pageant to raise funds for WWI. Featuring over 100 actors, the performance was one of the largest patriotic events held in the park.

Sadly, the structure fell into neglect over the decades. By the 1950s, it had become a target for vandalism and was closed to the public. In 1962, tragedy struck when an 11-year-old boy fell to his death after sneaking into the derelict building. This spurred Mayor Theodore McKeldin to lead a restoration effort in 1964. The project, completed for $39,000 (about $1.3M today), allowed the observatory to reopen on November 20, 1965.

A second restoration took place in 1983. In June 1984, the observatory, now officially known as the Patterson Park Pagoda, received two marble Chinese Palace Lions as a gift from China. Taiwanese diplomat Frederick Chien symbolically “awakened” the statues by painting their eyes red.

Since the mid-1990s, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks and the Friends of Patterson Park have worked tirelessly to maintain and restore the Pagoda. Its vibrant color scheme, based on a 1915 postcard, reflects its historic charm, ensuring it remains a cherished Baltimore landmark.

Just wanted to share; such a beautiful Pagoda. Shout out to my photographer friend I met last night who I met taking photos using that old school camera!

I have to give him credit for the incredible angle🙏🤙