Downtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brown’s Arcade
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, February 20, 2008
1. Brown's Arcade Marker
Named for the governor who developed it, Brown's Arcade is a unique and early example of adaptive reuse in Baltimore. The four buildings that make up the Arcade were originally constructed as rowhouses in the 1820's. After the Great Fire of 1904, former governor Frank Brown bought 322-328 N. Charles and converted the buildings to shops and offices in an unusual and created departure from standard retail development. Architect Henry Brauns added storefronts, a cornice, bay windows and an arcade that led through the central entrance to a courtyard in the rear and to an adjacent building on Saratoga Street. Thus, the arcade provided a pleasant and whimsical short-cut from the Charles Street shopping area to the Howard Street retail district. Before his career as a developer, Frank Brown was a member of the House of Delegates, the Postmaster of Baltimore and, from from 1892-1896, Governor of Maryland. He is best remembered for his role in averting violence during the 1894 coal miners' strike in Frostburg. Brown died in Baltimore on February 3, 1920.
Struever Bros. & Eccles renovated the Arcade in 1982, preserving its original
this page online
Erected by the City of Baltimore, Struever Bros. & Eccles, sponsor, William Donald Schaefer, mayor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1920.
Location. 39° 17.594′ N, 76° 36.928′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Downtown. Marker is on North Charles Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 322 North Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Women's Industrial Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Baltimore's City Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brown's Loft Apartments (about 300 feet away); Rectory of Old St. Paul’s Parish (about 300 feet away); Moving Up To Cathedral Hill: Three Centuries of Change (about 400 feet away); George Washington Bicentennial Marker (about 400 feet away); The Latrobe House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
More about this
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, February 20, 2008
2. Brown's Arcade
Also see . . . Frank Brown, MSA SC 3520-1473, Maryland Archives. (Submitted on November 13, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015
3. Brown’s Arcade Marker
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, February 22, 2008
4. Browns' Arcade
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, February 22, 2008
5. Interior of Brown's Arcade
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015
6. Frank Brown
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015
7. The Original Design
Brown's original design for the arcade shows a parapet that was later abandoned.close-up of image on marker
Internet Archive
8. Frank Brown (1846-1920)
Governor of Maryland, 1892-1896
Governor of Maryland, 1892-1896
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,605 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 23, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on February 22, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 6, 7. submitted on January 23, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on November 13, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
