“Ednor” a name echoing through Baltimore’s history. Have you ever wondered about the story behind this community? Ednor Gardens-Lakeside isn’t just a neighborhood. It’s a testament to grand visions and evolving architectural tastes.
We’re standing at the edge of what was once General Samuel Smith’s estate. He was a Revolutionary War hero. Later the Garrett family one of Baltimore’s most powerful families owned it. They ran the B&O Railroad. In 1923 a significant piece of this land changed hands. Mary Garrett sold a 49-acre parcel to Edward Gallagher.
Gallagher a prominent real estate developer had a vision. He named his new development Ednor Gardens. It was named for his two sons Edward and Norman. He combined the first few letters of their names.
Gallagher wanted to create rowhouses unlike anything Baltimore had seen. Inspired by the stately English-style mansions in Guilford and Roland Park he aimed for affordability. He incorporated unique styling into rowhouses. The first homes rose on East 36th Street in 1925.
These homes had a unique feature. There was no streetcar access so Gallagher built rear-access garages into every house. He correctly predicted the rise of the automobile. These houses were popular. Other developers started copying the English style in new projects.
Development continued through the 1930s 1940s and 1950s. Later rowhouses built further north and east were brick. They lacked the decorative touches of the original English-style homes. In the early 1930s Gallagher faced a lawsuit. Another developer Frank Novak believed Gallagher’s rowhouses depreciated his property. Novak won and Gallagher had to build detached homes adjacent to Lakeside.
Before 1968 racially restrictive covenants were common. A 1926 advertisement described Novak’s Lakeside development as carefully restricted. This meant excluding African-Americans and other minority groups.
Ednor Gardens-Lakeside remained relatively stable despite changes in surrounding communities.
A significant change came in 2002. Memorial Stadium once home to the Baltimore Colts Ravens and Orioles was demolished. This left a 32-acre hole in the community. The city tasked Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation GEDCO with creating a new plan.
Stadium Place emerged. It features an oval-shaped road around a multipurpose athletic field. The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation developed the field. Maryland’s largest YMCA sits on the southwest corner. GEDCO built four large senior apartment buildings on the eastern edge. Future plans include more apartments and a commercial center.
Today Ednor Gardens-Lakeside is a diverse community. The Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Community Association is very active. Most homes are owner-occupied. The neighborhood showcases a variety of housing styles from single-family homes to townhouses.
Ednor Gardens stands as a reminder. It reflects architectural shifts and community resilience. It is a place where history lives on in every street and home.