Fell's Point: An Extraordinary Baltimore Attraction

Baltimore, Maryland, is a city that has always provided plenty of entertainment for locals and tourists alike. The Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Canton, and many other areas downtown are filled with practically endless restaurants, bars, stores of every kind, museums, theatres, and even an aquarium and a zoo. Particularly, there is one area of Baltimore, a town called Fells Point, which offers something equally appealing: an extensive and very interesting history.

The town dates back to the early 1700's, when William Fell, an English carpenter, sailed over and bought 100 acres of land. He saw the proximity of the land to the harbor, and knew that with his knowledge of carpentry and ships, he could profit greatly from his purchase. Ultimately, he was right. Even when Baltimore Town, as the city was then known, wasn't doing well economically, Fell's Point was growing. What began as a small harbor with a couple of boats grew into a vey prosperous town. When William Fell died, he left his estate to his son, who continued to expand it. When the Revolutionary War began, Fell's Point was indispensable, as war ships for the country's first navy were harbored there.

Much of Fell's Point's interesting history still remains, and what doesn't has been carefully replaced to retain the old-town charm. In addition to the enchanting brick streets along many blocks of the town, most of the buildings represent the intricate brickwork used during the eighteenth century. The residential area is tight-knit but beautiful, with its long line of townhomes, each of them unique. The residents, who are for the most part upper-class individuals and families, have maintained the historical features of their neighborhoods to enhance the overall atmosphere and character of the town.