Canton in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Captain John O'Donnell
1749-1805
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2010
1. Captain John O'Donnell Marker
Captain John ODonnell, the founder of the Canton Community, was a man of great vision and accomplishment. He initiated trade between Canton, China and Baltimore in 1785 operating his own merchant sailing vessels. This public square once the site of the Canton Market is dedicated in his honor.
Erected by The Canton Improvement Association-The Board of Recreation and Parks, the City of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1785.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 16.806′ N, 76° 34.482′ W. Marker was in Baltimore, Maryland. It was in Canton. It was on O'Donnell Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21224, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Historic Canton (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Canton (within shouting distance of
this page online
More about this marker. The O'Donnell statue and pedestal were removed on April 5th, 2021. The statue was removed to an undisclosed location. The Canton Community Association and the chair of the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance said the statue did not represent the values of the community they want to build. In 1786, O'Donnell founded Canton as a plantation where he owned slaves.
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2010
2. Captain John O'Donnell Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2010
3. Captain John O'Donnell Marker
Inscription on the base of the statue
via WBAL-TV 11 News Today, April 6, 2021
4. Capt. John O'Donnell statue removed from Canton Square.
WBAL-TV article with video showing statue and pedestal removal:
"On Monday night, Baltimore City crews removed the statue of O'Donnell, who, in 1786, founded Canton as a plantation where he owned slaves."
Click for more information.
"On Monday night, Baltimore City crews removed the statue of O'Donnell, who, in 1786, founded Canton as a plantation where he owned slaves."
Click for more information.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 3, 2016
5. Captain John O'Donnell
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 3, 2016
6. Captain John O'Donnell
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 3, 2016
7. 1978 Statue Captain John O'Donnell by Tylden Westcott Streett
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,396 times since then and 87 times this year. Last updated on October 23, 2021, by Jordan Butler of New Windsor, Maryland, USA. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 31, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 14, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 29, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
