Photo credit:
Ann Milkovich McKee, Marie-Therese Giguere, 2019
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Glenn L. Martin Company Plant #2
Inventory No.:
BA-2824
Date Listed:
8/14/2023
Location:
2800 Eastern Boulevard, Middle River, Baltimore County
Category:
Building
Period/Date of Construction:
1940-1947
Architect/Builder:
Albert Kahn
Boundary Description:
The nominated property, approximately 64 acres, consists of four parcels described among the Land Records of Baltimore County and identified on Tax Map 91, Grid 8: Parcel 41, 45.46 acres described in Book 41931, Page 342; Parcel 465, 4.94 acres described in Book 08654, Page 00825; Parcel 440 [1], 5.846 acres described in Book 41365, Page 453; and Parcel 440 [2], 7.971 acres described in Book 41365, Page 453. The nominated boundaries encompass all surviving resources and property historically associated with Glenn L. Martin Plant #2.
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Description:
The Glenn L. Martin Company Plant #2 is located to the north of the Martin Airport in Middle River, Baltimore County, Maryland. Plant #2 was built in 1940-1942 as a satellite facility just east of the Martin Plant #1 specifically to produce B-26 Marauder bombers for the Army. The plant was well-sited to take advantage of the expansion of Eastern Boulevard and the construction of local workforce housing by the Federal government and the Glenn L. Martin Company. The Pennsylvania Railroad’s main line bounded the site to the north and provided a mode for delivery of materials. Spur lines off the main line served Plant #2 throughout its ownership by the Martin Company. The current site contains 12 resources, 10 of which are contributing and 2 non-contributing. The site formerly included 2 additional resources that are now demolished. Glenn Martin retained the services of Albert Kahn, the architect for Plant #1, to develop the design for the new plant. Plant #2 would follow the successful model of Plant #1 utilizing a high-volume, one-story, manufacturing building that housed both the component assembly area and the final assembly bay. Architectural designs for the 1937 and 1939 additions to Plant #1 were modified for use at Plant #2. The natural grade of the site allowed for a full lower level with three exposed sides to be utilized for additional manufacturing spaces (e.g., parts and sub-assembly) and personnel services (e.g., cafeteria, locker rooms). The Plant #2 buildings are designed in an Art Moderne Industrial style, with their simple geometric shapes, and horizontal orientation. Kahn employed this style with his larger industrial plants, as the overall form accommodated the manufacturing processes required to produce a large-scale product efficiently. He used either steel frame construction, especially when a large open space was required on the main levels, or reinforced concrete as seen with the mushroom columns in the lower level of the original Assembly Building (AA). In keeping with the utilitarian nature of the buildings, the structure was exposed in all but the Personnel building. Horizontal “ribbons” of steel that framed windows or glass block further reflect the Art Moderne style, but maximized the amount of natural lighting to the factory floor.
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Significance:
The Glenn L. Martin Company Plant #2 is significant for its role in World War II as the primary production facility for the B-26 Marauder bomber from late 1941 to 1945. Of the total 5,266 B-26s produced during the war, 3,572 were produced in Plant #2. While production of the B-26 ended in March of 1945 with delivery of Tail End Charlie “30,” the plant continued to contribute to the war effort through the manufacture and assembly of components for other aircraft. Glenn L. Martin, who by the time of its construction had established himself as one of the top military aircraft designers in the country, is credited with the MB-1 Bomber (Army, World War I), the B-10 Bomber (1934), the China Clipper (1935), the Martin Mariner (PBM-1, 1939) and the huge MARS flying boat (1941). The B-26 allowed the Martin Company to continue to build upon their success and introduce several innovative features including an aerodynamically perfect fuselage and an all plexiglass bombardier’s nose. It was not an immediate success within the Army, due to elements of its design and shifting strategies for air warfare. However, by the time the war ended, the B-26 had the lowest loss rate amongst US Army Air Force (USAAF) planes. The plant is also significant as a major work of Albert Kahn, the premier industrial architect in the United States during the period. The simple geometric massing of the buildings along with their smooth wall surfaces, minimal ornamentation, ribbon bands of steel framed windows and flat roofs are all markers of the Art Moderne style. The specific layout and design of the buildings and interior spaces were based on providing an efficient and flexible space for the manufacturing process and the needs of the workers. By the end of his career Kahn had become one of the premier industrial architects worldwide. At the 1937 International Expo of Arts & Sciences in Paris, he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of France for his work during WWI in France. In 1942 he was also presented with a Special Award by the Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects honoring his contributions to the war effort.
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