Downtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Beehler Umbrella Factory

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, August 3, 2007

1. Beehler Umbrella Factory Marker

Inscription.
On this site, from 1886-1908, stood the Beehler Umbrella Factory, the oldest umbrella house in America. Founded in Baltimore by Francis Beehler in 1828.

Erected 1990 by The Albert Beehler, Jr. Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 39° 17.502′ N, 76° 37.1′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Downtown. It is on West Lexington Street east of North Howard street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 W Lexington St, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: The Read's Drugstore Sit-In (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); To Commemorate the Inauguration of a Chemical Industry in America (about 400 feet away); Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Building (about 400 feet away); South Union Building (about 400 feet away); St. Alphonsus Parish World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); Provident Savings Bank (about 600 feet away); Westside (about 700 feet away); Rectory of Old St. Paul’s Parish (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Regarding Beehler Umbrella Factory.

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Baltimore can lay claim to the nation’s first umbrella factory, established by William Beehler in 1828. The company’s motto: “Born in Baltimore, raised everywhere.”

Additional commentary.
1.
I looked for this marker on January 18, 2022. It appears that several buildings, including the one with the marker, have been razed as part of the redevelopment of Market Center. In the buildings' location is a temporary open green space/park called, "The Meadow".

— Submitted January 24, 2022, by Mary Noor of Baltimore, Maryland.

Beehler Umbrella Factory Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, August 3, 2007

2. Beehler Umbrella Factory Site

Marker can be seen on the right side of the center building, about halfway up the steel door.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9,755 times since then and 101 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week March 16, 2008. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.