Captain John O'Donnell

1749-1805

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 21, 2010

1. Captain John O'Donnell Marker

Inscription.
Captain John O’Donnell, 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. Marker 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 sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Historic Canton (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canton Library

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Railroad to Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frederick Douglass' Escape from Slavery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Canton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Canton (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Canton (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

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

Capt. John O'Donnell statue removed from Canton Square. image. Click for more information.

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.

Captain John O'Donnell image. Click for full size.

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

1978 Statue Captain John O'Donnell by Tylden Westcott Streett image. Click for full size.

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 2,205 times since then and 118 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.