Havre de Grace in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Bayou
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 23, 2019
The Bayou Hotel opened for business in 1921. It's stunning facilities included a large lobby and 60 guestrooms with baths. The main dining room was located on the first floor and opened onto a large terrace where the diner could have a spectacular view of the Upper Bay. A building just north of the hotel (currently the Decoy Museum) was at one time the hotel's enclosed, heated swimming pool. A small garage was tucked under the pool for guests' automobiles.
The stock market crash and a fire in 1929 signaled the beginning of the demise of the Bayou as a grand hotel. The hotel was forced to close it's doors. The building was purchased by the Franciscan nuns for use as a home for the aged. A chapel was added to the water front side of the building.
In 1953, the Bayou was purchased and converted into apartments. In the early 70's the building again suffered a fire and in 1976, it was abandoned and given to the city of Havre de Grace. The Bayou was boarded up, stripped of it's plumbing and heating systems and for several years sat empty.
In September 1983, the National Park Service in conjunction with the Maryland State Historic Society designated the Bayou a national historic structure and and directed it's preservation. In 1984 the city sold the building and it was renovated and is now condominiums.
Erected by Wayne A. Bowie & Sons, General Contractor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1983.
Location. 39° 32.335′ N, 76° 5.285′ W. Marker is in Havre de Grace, Maryland, in Harford County. Marker is at the intersection of Commerce Street and Market Street, on the right when traveling east on Commerce Street. There are 4 occurrences of "it's", one at the beginning of a sentence, which should not have the apostrophe, because they are the possessive form of "it". Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Commerce Street, Havre de Grace MD 21078, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. State of Readiness (within shouting distance of this marker); Invasion at Dawn (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Enjoy the Havre de Grace Promenade (about 300 feet away); Home Base (about 300 feet away); Luxury on the Bay (about 400 feet away); Lure of the Chesapeake
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 23, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on January 15, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.