"Building Paintings"
"Building Paintings"
DOWNTOWN'S WEST SIDE - RETAIL AND WAREHOUSE DISTRICTSDOWNTOWN'S EAST SIDE - FINANCIAL AND MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
MIDTOWN - COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
PAINTED WALLS:
CLICK ON ANY OUTLINED PHOTO FOR A LARGER, HIGH QUALITY IMAGE
Among the largest and most visible of the area's painted walls is this one for the Applefeld Clothing Company, located in the 300 block of West Baltimore Street. This one is very likely an endangered species as the looming Hippodrome redevelopment will likely result in the razing of this buiding.
Although not as vivid as the Applefeld sign, this advertisement for PICADILLY SHIRT retains an impressive appearance, despite its muting from an overlay of two ads. The bottom aspect of the ad reveals "Belding's Silk" and "Stands a Bulldog Strain" within the copy.
With elements of the modern and vintage city skyline in the backdrop, this painted wall for the Baltimore Bargain House is easily visible from the corner Baltimore and Eutaw Streets looking Eastward.
On occasion, successive ads are both largely readable. This one on the 300 block of West Redwood Street features an ad for the SHOPPERS PARKING CENTER garage with an underlying ad of what appears to be "Wannamaker's Clothing Outlet Store," located at what would now be the Mercantile Bank Tower.
Another neat ad in the Downtown area is the remnant of this one, visible only from the North Side of Lombard Street, East of Greene, advertising Night Shirts and Pajamas.Now that awnings around the University of Maryland's construction have been removed, more details of this loft apartment can now be seen, inlcuding this solicitation for applications on South Paca Street
Still on the other side of the building, more nice details can be found, such as these....
Just across the street from the above loft lies this beautiful wall ad for the August Maag Company, easily visible to motorists stopped on Southbound Greene Street at Lombard, or those awaiting the 11 and 31 buses on Lombard Street.
Rarely do they get as colorful as this advertisement for Adam's Pepsin Gum. There are two versions of the ad superimposed on each other, though it still is reasonably easy to make out. This gem stands at Lexington and Arch Streets.
Catch them while you can, as they're about to vanish. The Hippodrome Ad for Matinees was visible before the demolition of the neighboring Eutaw Building, while the faint VAUDEVILLE ad only then became exposed once again. Sadly, the construction of a new building for the Hippodrome complex will soon mean the covering of both ads very soon!
Despite a crude attempt to conceal the Mano Swartz name Downtown on Howard at Clay Streets, the furrier's name still shines through.
Two different Sealy Matress ads can be found on Howard Street. The above example is easily visible from Howard and Fayette Streets looking South, and has the added grace of being painted over a classic Meyer and Thalheimer Stationers sign. The below one is visible near Howard and Mulberry Streets looking Northbound.
Coward Shoe was still in existence until the early 1990's, and this ad visible looking South from Howard and Mulberry Streets, still remains to tell of the store's existence.
The Hecht Brothers ran a furniture store at Howard and Mulberry Streets. This painted sign is still in excellent shape to mark the spot.
Just South of the Hecht's sign lies this one for Schuster's Furniture and Bedding.
One can gather that this painted sign at Saratoga Street and Park Avenue for Progress Federal predates the Savings and Loan crisis of the early 1980's.
It takes a good angle to see it, but to the astute pedestrian on Howard Street below Fayette looking Northwest, this Bernheimer's Big Home Stores is a sure winner!
Two separate applications of the MAY CO name are evident on this enhanced photo of the old Hecht Company Building. The result today has the appearance of saying "M A A Y"
Is it a Lunch Room or a Restaurant? Kruger's lovely building on Howard Street below Fayette Street features two applications as well.
This Shoe manufacturer's ad is only visible along a short potion of Redwood Street between Eutaw and Paca Streets. It reads "?????? & Son" and also carries the place "BALTIMORE!"
While the "TOTTLES - 5¢ - 10¢ - STORE" is the most pronounced of the ads in this view of the East side of Eutaw Street below Lexington, a Murphy's ad and a home furnishing ad are also visible within the same ad.
The building may be burnt out, but the ad for Simon's remains at least partially legible. Ad is on the North side of Clay Street (bet. Saratoga and Lexington) West of Liberty Street.
Among the most recent painted wall ghosts is this one that towers above the West side of Liberty Street above Lexington. The Luskins chain is no longer in business, and "carphones" like the one shown have not been offered for several years.
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