Off Campus ’s Best By Nick Clampitt Baltimore’s Best

A Brief History Baltimore: the city we to learn more about probably the most im- know it as today was the fascinating and portant site in Balti- incorporated as a city unique history the city more, Fort McHenry. in late July, 1729. This has to offer: Druid Hill Throughout Baltimore’s makes Baltimore one of Park, The Basilica of history you can find ex- the oldest cities in the Assumption, Lexington citing battles, both entire country! Balti- Market, Babe Ruth Mu- combat and activism, more has a great many seum, , that shaped the future landmarks and muse- and last but certainly of the entire United ums that you can visit not the least, in fact States.

Flag of Baltimore

Did You Know? • Our national anthem, • Every time a new • The Basilica of As- “The Star Spangled flag is designed for sumption was the first Banner,” was written the United States, Catholic Cathedral by the first time it flies is to be constructed in right here at Fort always at Fort the United States. McHenry. McHenry.

Baltimore’s Best

Druid Hill Park is the cyclist and the jogger For more, go to http:// third oldest large public their fair share of exer- www.druidhillpark.org. park founded in the cise taking a trip United States, after Fair- around the area to see mount Park in Philadel- hundreds of species of phia and Central Park flora, birds, and even in New York City. Host- butterflies! ing an assortment of Druid Hill Park also attractions, Druid Hill sports a more than Park will satisfy the century-year-old con- cravings of any out- servatory, and a huge doorsperson or history man-made lake that buff. Equipped with an freezes over in the win- 11-mile-long path, the ter, which is sometimes park offers both the used for ice skating! Howard P. Rawlings Conserva- tory. Druid Hill/CC-BY

Basilica of Assumption Founded by John Car- concluded in 1821; this many areas in the Unit- roll, the Jesuit member was a major success for ed States, including of arguably one of the Catholics in the United . For more, go most important families States because from to http:// in American history, the 1689 until 1787 when americasfirstcathe- Basilica of Assumption the Constitution was dral.org. was the first Catholic ratified, which gave all cathedral constructed religious creeds the in- in the United States. alienable right to prac- Construction began on tice their religion, Ca- Basilica of Assumption. Public this basilica in 1806 but tholicism was illegal in Domain

Lexington Market When visiting down- it’s technically older morning, is Kim’s Sea- town Baltimore, every- than the United States food, which sells fresh one has to try some itself. Lexington Market oysters, fried scallops, Faidley’s crab cakes, has over 100 vendors steak, fish, and plenty right? Well, I can tell selling many different more options for a sea- you that there is a lot products—from fresh food lover. For more, more to Lexington Mar- fish to cellphone cases, go to ket than just Faidley’s. there always will be http:// Originally founded in something for you! My lexingtonmarket.com/ 1782, it is the oldest personal favorite, market in the entire where you’ll find me Kim’s Seafood. Eli Pousson/CC- United States; in fact, nearly every Saturday BY

Babe Ruth Museum Born on February 6th, also has a candy bar 1895, on Emory Street, named after him, alt- George Herman hough the company “Babe” Ruth is a name denies it: the Baby that you probably Ruth. Back in ‘74, Balti- know, or at least have more led a campaign heard of before. The to restore Babe’s birth- greatest baseball play- place and childhood er of all time, Ruth has home in order to turn it created an image for into a museum. It is himself that reflects currently open and re- across of all America. ceives about half a mil- You can see Babe Ruth lion visitors a year. For imagery anywhere you more, go to https:// go in the country. Ruth baberuthmuseum.org/

Babe Ruth Museum. Public Domain. Patterson Park Patterson Park is very then invade Baltimore You can also see the old; it dates back to by land at Hampstead next site from the ob- even before the induc- Hill, which is the hill at servation deck at the tion of the city of Balti- Patterson Park. The Bal- Pagoda. timoreans defended more into the Maryland colony. It was originally their home with so founded in 1669 and is much zeal that when For more on Patterson still a public park to this the British reached the Park, go to https:// very day. During the Hill, they saw thousands bcrp.baltimorecity.gov , the British of soldiers and ../parks/patterson- decided to attack Fort and decided to turn park. McHenry by water and around and retreat.

Fort McHenry Patterson Pagoda Baltimore Heritage/ CC Fort McHenry is argua- Key to pen “Defence bly the most important of Fort M’Henry” which historical site in Balti- eventually became more and one of the “The Star-Spangled most important military Banner,” our beloved historical sites in the national anthem. Fort country. During the Brit- McHenry also has some ish invasion of Baltimore amazing views of the in 1814, Fort McHenry Bay and can be a did not fall. It was the great place for a pic- U.S. flag still standing nic. For more, go to after the attack that https://www.nps.gov/ Fort McHenry. Fredlyfish4/CC-BY inspired Francis Scott fomc/index.htm. See More!

The Path

Starting from Loyola, head west on Cold Spring Ln and turn south onto Keswick; after a short drive you will start to see signs directing you to Druid Hill Park. From Druid Hill Park, head south onto W 29th Street; merge onto I-83 S and take exit 4 onto Saint Paul Street. Head south on Saint Paul until you see the large white Cathedral and you’ve arrived at the Basilica of Assumption. Head over to Eutaw Street and head south a few hundred feet and you’ll find Lexington Market; from Lexington Market, keep heading south and turn west onto W Fayette Street—you will pass the grave site of Edgar Allan Poe. Continue on past the grave and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and turn south onto Schroeder Street. Turn east onto W . Drive until you reach Emory Street and head south to find the Babe Ruth Museum. To get to Patterson Park, you are going to head east on W Pratt Street and go straight through the . Eventually you will find yourself on S Patterson Avenue—find yourself a parking spot and go enjoy the park. From Patterson Park, head south on Linwood Avenue and make a left onto Boston Street; get onto I-95 S and follow signs for Key Highway. Get onto Key Highway and go onto E McComas Street. From there get onto E Fort and fol- low that to the memorial and base. Enjoy some of Baltimore’s Best!

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