Central Avenue aka Canal Street

Central Avenue - a.k.a. Canal Street
Photos by Jennifer McLaughlin
To the uninitiated, the street name of Canal Street may seem to be unfitting for the thorofare now known as Central Avenue. However, the name is in fact far more appropriate. Since Central Avenue is not the Central divider of the city, this name is largely mismatched. However, there was in fact a Canal running amidst the street, some portions of which more than a few not-so-old Baltimoreans should clearly remember. In fact, there still is a canal in the midsts of Central's presence, though it only makes an occasional appearance when streetwork need be done. Fortunately, as you'll see, a site viewer was keen enough to get some photos of the canal when it was recently redone (more than I can say for myself! )
Looking at the early descriptions of the Central Avenue area in the midst of Fells Point, it is a wonder that it was ever developed. Much of the area was swampland, and was alleged to be disease laden. Only after the area was drained could the land be built upon. However, there was still an issue of what to do with Harford Run. This small tributary ran from the far Northeast reaches into early Baltimore, and out to the basin near Fells Point. At first, builders decided to channel the stream into a canal that would run in the middle of the roadway. However, this would in time prove impractical, and arched vaults were built to contain and cover the stream, resulting in one of Baltimore widest streets. One will note that the railroad tracks that ran along much of Cenral Avenue did NOT run down its immediate Center, but were instead two pairs of tracks offset from the Center. This is no doubt the desire to keep as much weight OFF of the canal roof as possible.
The containment program proceeded as far South as Fleet Street, where, for the final two blocks before the basin, it stopped. Work was resumed in the late 1940's, but stopped again when it was noticed that the concrete vault being used on this portion was instable, and began sinking. Thus, it was not until the mid-1950's when work finally resumed, and Harford Run and it's associated Canal, fully submerged.

A LOOK AT EARLY "CANAL STREET"

1869 map of Baltimore shows Canal Street in all it's glory. Harford Run came beneath the street at present day Dunbar High School.
1897 City Survey map shows the existence of the Canals still below Fleet Street (Canton Avenue). Strong railroad presence led to the development of the area as a heavily industrial base.

The canal as it was in 1954, with roadways along either side. At one time, the length of the road was set up this way.

Recently, faced with the problems of an imminent danger of collapse, the city finally had to effect some long term repairs on the old canal. As a result, the roofing was dug up, and appears to have been reinforced at cross streets. For the other portions of the length, a new "roof" was laid down, and covered by a wide asphalt median about 20-25 feet wide. This is no doubt to keep weight off of the roof of the canal. The railroad trackage along Central was abandoned in the 1980's, so thankfully there was no longer a need for the roof to support the weight of a switching locomotive, but just as ominous was the thought of all the tractor-trailers using the street on a daily basis.
Jennifer McLaughlin was on the site of the work performed on the canal last year, and got some great photos of the site. Here's a look at today's Central Avenue, showing a fascinating glimpse of the Canal Street of yesterday!

Looking North from just below Fayette Street, the old canal, and it's fascinating archway construction, are clearly visible.
A southward view of the same trench reveals the challenges that workers encounter on projects like this, particularly working around other submerged utilities.

The early construction techniques for supporting Central Avenue included the use of wooden timbers, easily seen here.
The new face of Central includes the wide Asphalt median seen to the right. Note the railroad spur peeking out at the left center.

On a recent journey to East Baltimore, I visited the foot of Canal, er, Central, and it's easy to see where Harford Run dumps into the basin. Note the more simplifed flat concrete roof to this section, as opposed to the elegant stone arches used further up.

GOT INFO ON CANAL, OR AM I ALL WET? CONTACT ME or DROP A MESSAGE!

A LOOK AT EARLY "CANAL STREET"
1869 map of Baltimore shows Canal Street in all it's glory. Harford Run came beneath the street at present day Dunbar High School.	1897 City Survey map shows the existence of the Canals still below Fleet Street (Canton Avenue). Strong railroad presence led to the development of the area as a heavily industrial base.
	The canal as it was in 1954, with roadways along either side. At one time, the length of the road was set up this way.

Looking North from just below Fayette Street, the old canal, and it's fascinating archway construction, are clearly visible.	A southward view of the same trench reveals the challenges that workers encounter on projects like this, particularly working around other submerged utilities.
The early construction techniques for supporting Central Avenue included the use of wooden timbers, easily seen here.	The new face of Central includes the wide Asphalt median seen to the right. Note the railroad spur peeking out at the left center.