Maryland's National Register Properties

Photo credit: Julie Darsie, 04/2001 Lauraville Historic District Inventory No.: B-4301 Date Listed: 12/28/2001 Location: Baltimore, Baltimore City Category: District Period/Date of Construction: c. 1870-1941 Boundary Description: Roughly bounded by Harford Rd., Herring Run Creek, Cold Spring Lane, Charlton Ave., Halcyon Ave., Grindon Rd., Catalpha Rd. and Echodale Ave. Resources: 108 (14 contributing, 77 non-contributing) Request Accessible Version Description: The Lauraville Historic District is a cohesive residential suburb defined by hilly topography, contoured street patterns, and early 20th century free-standing frame and masonry houses. The district is comprised of a variety of early 20th century suburban architectural forms. Foursquare houses and bungalows predominate, but there are examples of late 19th century residences which may predate the subdivision, suburban villas of the 1900s and 1910s, Queen Anne houses of the 1910s, brick rowhouses from the 1890s to 1930s, and scattered examples of revival styles from the 1920s and 30s. The historic district also includes commercial buildings along Harford Road, two churches, one school, and one cemetery. With few exceptions, the residential section of Lauraville appears little changed and possesses a high degree of integrity. Demolition and major alterations appear to have been largely confined to the present commercial strip along Harford Road. Significance: The Lauraville Historic District is an excellent example of an early 20th century Baltimore suburb. The district is comprised of an unusually cohesive cluster of residential developments tied together by its hilly topography and angled irregular street patterns. Composed primarily of frame and shingle foursquares and bungalows, Lauraville also includes late 19th century residences, brick commercial buildings, churches, a school, and a cemetery. Its period of significance extends from the late 19th century through 1941, when development was halted by World War II. The Lauraville Historic District is significant for its association with the suburban development of Baltimore, encompassing the full range of features that embody the suburban ideal. In architectural style, street patterns, and landscape treatment, the neighborhood provides a powerful contrast to older, urban sections of Baltimore. With the exception of various types of siding applied to houses and demolition of unsympathetic new construction along the Harford Road commercial edge, the Lauraville Historic District exhibits a high degree of integrity. Its boundaries reflect long-time neighborhood perception, the pattern of frame housing stock, and the development of the area before 1941.

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