Lexington Market-Market Center - Baltimore MD - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

The Market Center Historic District comprises Baltimore's historic retail core. Spurred by the activity generated by Lexington Market in the early 19th century, the area evolved from a small-scale urban residential neighborhood into the city's premiere, early 20th century shopping district.

The increasing importance of the automobile and growth of the outlying shopping areas led to the slow decline of the area's retailing following World War II.

Market Center's development in the time following the Revolutionary War was reflected in the patriotic street names selected by John Eager Howard when he subdivided Lunn's Lot in 1782: Lexington, Saratoga, and Eutaw after important battles; Greene, after Howard's commander in the southern campaign; Paca for William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence; and Fayette for the famed French volunteer, the Marquis de la Fayette.

The period of significance of the Market Center Historic District starts at c. 1820, the date of the earliest buildings, and concludes in 1945, at the end of World War II and the beginning of the rapid decline of the area as the city's principal retail center. Despite many post-war intrusions to the Market Center area, the district retains its historic character as Baltimore's primary retail district from the late 19th century through the end of World War II.

The major intrusions to the district are large-scale late 20th century buildings and vacant lots. The fabric of Market Center area does not date from one time period but evolved from the early 19th century through to the present day.

Contributing Registration Inventory Resource Number B-2275
Lexington Market, Lexington and Eutaw Street.

A number of large scale buildings have been erected in the Market Center area in the last several decades. Many of these occupy entire city blocks, contrasting with the small-scale 19th- and early 20th-century fabric of the historic district. Some examples are: Lexington Market One Market Center, Eutaw and Lexington; MTA Operations Center, Eutaw and Saratoga.

The old Lexington Market was destroyed by fire in the 1950s and replaced with two new, indoor modern market buildings, one of which included a large garage. Lexington Market also faced competition from suburban supermarkets, no longer the strong magnet for the department stores and other retail activities in the area. The retail section was no longer growing, but in a decline. Automobile traffic created congestion that discouraged shoppers. New suburban shopping centers had ample free parking and were closer to customers. Lexington Market was expanded with the construction of an arcade, featuring additional seating for lunch time customers, and the erection of a new garage.

Name of Historic District (as listed on the NRHP): Market Center Link to nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com page with the Historic District: [Web Link] Address: 520 W. Lexington Street (Lexington and Eutaw Streets), Baltimore MD 21201 How did you determine the building to be a contributing structure?: Narrative found on the internet (Link provided below) Optional link to narrative or database: [Web Link] NRHP Historic District Waymark (Optional): Not listed

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