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

The Munsey Building

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 24, 2008

1. The Munsey Building Marker

Inscription. When this structure was completed in 1911, it was Baltimore's tallest office building. Of steel construction, faced with Bedford limestone on the lower floors, and brick and terra cotta above, the building stands as a monument of sorts to the whims of newspaper magnate Frank Munsey.

Known as the "dealer in dailies," and the "undertaker of journalism" for his cavalier buying and selling of papers, Munsey bought the News (forerunner of the News American) in 1908. He thus became the first non-resident owner of the newspaper since its inception. Munsey scorned the News building that previously stood on this site and decided to replace it a mere five years after its erection with the current building that bears his name.

The local architectural firm of Baldwin & Pennington, together with McKim, Mead & White of New York design the building. The Munsey Trust Company opened the ground floor in 1913. In 1915, the bank became the Equitable Trust Company with Munsey as the chairman of the board. The News continued to publish here until its move in 1924 to Pratt and Commerce Streets.

Erected by the City of Baltimore, Baltimore Investment Associates, sponsor, William Donald Schaefer, mayor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 39° 17.408′ N, 76° 36.735′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South Calvert Street (Maryland Route 2) and East Fayette Street, on the right when traveling north on South Calvert Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21202, 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: A different marker also named The Equitable Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Banking House of Alexander Brown & Sons (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover Baltimore’s Changing Skyline (within shouting

The Munsey Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 24, 2008

2. The Munsey Building

Marker is just to the left of the door.

distance of this marker); Discover Baltimore: The Monumental City (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Equitable Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Alex Brown Investment Banking Company (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Alex. Brown & Sons Company Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 24, 2008

3. The Munsey Building

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,421 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 24, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.