Pasadena in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The History of Ft Smallwood Park
Photographed by F. Robby, October 6, 2016
1. The History of Ft Smallwood Park Marker
The Public Park Era (1927-Present)
Recreation and places dedicated to its pursuit were a nation-wide phenomena in the early 20th Century. The shores of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers were dotted with swimming beaches, waterfront amusement parks, and residential summer communities.
The Olmstead Brothers, prominent landscape architects of the early 20th century, included Ft Smallwood in their Baltimore City Park Plan, and in July of 1927, the City of Baltimore acquired the former military installation for use as a public beach and park.
New found prosperity of the 'Roaring Twenties' meant that leisure time was no longer a privilege reserved only for the wealthy and middle classes. Ft Smallwood Park opened its gates in 1929, offering public beaches and recreation space.
Residents of Baltimore City and from rural farms and villages had the means and time to travel by trains, steamships and, in ever-increasing numbers, automobiles, to the sea or mountains in search of rest, relaxation, and fresh air.
Ft Smallwood Park's popularity peaked during the 1940s, following World War II. In the 1950s, the NAACP brought suit in Federal Court, challenging Ft Smallwood's policies of racial segregation, a case that was argued and won by future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1927.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 9.743′ N, 76° 29.078′ W. Marker was in Pasadena, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It could be reached from Fort Smallwood Road (Maryland Route 173) 0.1 miles north of Parkside Drive. Marker is within the park, near the boat ramp, and directly in front of the old concession stand. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Pasadena MD 21122, 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 Maryland’s Baltimore Metro Region. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Bill Burton Fishing Pier (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Smallwood Park Flagpole (about 800 feet away); Fort Smallwood Park Memorial Grove (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prime View (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Carroll Lighthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away);
Photographed by F. Robby, October 6, 2016
2. The History of Ft Smallwood Park Marker
This marker is the one in the middle of these three.
Other markers no longer nearby. Preservation in Progress (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The History of Ft Smallwood Park (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,277 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
