Gwynns Falls in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gwynns Falls Park at Wilkens Avenue
Gwynns Falls Trail
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 8, 2017
1. Gwynns Falls Park at Wilkens Avenue Marker
Swimming pools and a basketball court were once located on the floodplain here along the Gwynns Falls. Now, trees stabilize the stream banks to help reduce erosion during periodic floods and restore the stream’s health. The basketball court was moved to higher ground. Nearby Wilkens Avenue is named for William Wilkens, a German-born entrepreneur who build a large factory complex in 1845 to the east where the Westside Shopping Center is located. His factory, which processed hair from slaughterhouses, often discarded waste into the stream eventually flowing to the Chesapeake Bay.
Study the Map
Before you start or resume your journey, study the kiosk map and determine your destination along the 15-mile Gwynns Falls Trail. From Wilkens Avenue, the trail heads north to Frederick Avenue (Trailhead 5). To go south to Carroll Park Golf Course (Trailhead 6), carefully cross Wilkens Avenue to the street light and head east on Wilkens Avenue over the Gwynns Falls. Get on the trail on the other side of the bridge and proceed south to Trailhead 6.
(Inscription under the image in the upper right)
In 1910, when Gwynn Falls became too polluted for swimming, the City Public Bath Commission built swimming pools in this area with separate male and female sections.
(Inscription above the image in the lower right)
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 39° 16.63′ N, 76° 39.752′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Gwynns Falls. Marker is on Wilkens Ave just east of Hurley Avenue. The marker is located in Lower Gwynns Falls Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Industries (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Mt. Olivet Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rowhouses: a Baltimore Tradition (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gwynns Falls Valley (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ellicott Flour Mills (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gwynns Falls Park at Frederick Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carrollton Viaduct (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 8, 2017
2. Gwynns Falls Park at Wilkens Avenue Marker-Reverse side
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 8, 2017
3. Gwynns Falls Park at Wilkens Avenue Marker-At a distance
Notice the World War II Memorial in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
