Downtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fish Market
In 1851 what was perhaps America's finest market-type assembly hall was built here between Baltimore and Water Streets to house the Maryland Institute. Presidents Pierce and Fillmore were nominated at national political conventions held here. President Lincoln delivered his famous Liberty Speech here on April 18, 1864, three years after the Pratt Street Riots. The Maryland Institute was destroyed in the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904.
The marketplace was expanded in the rebuilding that followed the Fire. Built in 1907, the current structure served as Baltimore's wholesale Fish Market. It was one of three market buildings erected in a row, all designed by architects Otto Simonson and Theodore Wells Pietsch. The others housed Baltimore's retail and wholesale produce markets. The Fish Market thrived for almost a century before it closed in 1984 when Maryland Wholesale Seafood Center opened in Jessup, Maryland.
In 1997 the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore granted the Baltimore Children's Museum a 100-year lease on the Fish Market, to establish one of the nation's largest children's museums, Port Discovery.
Erected by the City of Baltimore, Baltimore City Heritage Area, Martin O'Malley, mayor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #14 Franklin Pierce, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1911.
Location. 39° 17.347′ N, 76° 36.398′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Market Pl, Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baltimore's Great Fire (here, next to this marker); Baltimore's Holocaust Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baltimore Police Department (about 500 feet away); Cast-Iron Façade (about 500 feet away); 9 North Front Street (about 600 feet away); Carroll Mansion (about 600 feet away); Cistern (about 600 feet away); Holocaust Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,744 times since then and 108 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.