Charles Village

The History of The Charles Village Community

Plans for Peabody Heights, the first name given to the area now known as Charles Village, had been drawn up shortly after the Civil War. By 1897, only two blocks of row houses along the eastside of St. Paul Street, between 27th and 29th Streets, had been constructed to join the earlier scattered estates and settlements along 25th Street. The main objective of the Peabody Heights development was to profitably anticipate the growth of the City in the northern direction. The original settling features were the high ground with attractive views, cool summer breezes, and a location near some of the City’s oldest and wealthiest estates. By 1911, Peabody Heights and the surrounding areas were developing rapidly. As the former rural atmosphere disappeared, land values climbed, especially along the well-designed and landscaped Charles Street Boulevard.

By the 1920s, Peabody Heights and most surrounding areas were completely built up. The pressure of the increased density grew as houses were converted to apartments and commercial use. Peabody Heights ended at 31st Street and the 3100 block of St. Paul Street was built on landfill in the 50-foot deep ravine outside of the Peabody Heights covenant. A zoning battle during eh 1930s ended in the creation of new commercial areas in a neighborhood, which had previously allowed only a few scattered businesses to exist. Baltimore’s population increase accompanying World War II brought greater pressure for the conversion of large houses into apartments. The need to house the growing student body of the Johns Hopkins University furthered this conversion.

During the 1960s, a renaissance began as the area’s architectural variety and quality attracted new homebuyers. In addition to the functional beauty of its large buildings, the neighborhood offered a convenient location near good public transportation and prominent institutions, such as the Baltimore Museum of Art. the new name, Charles Village, was coined by local resident Grace Darin in 1967. She was also active in the founding of the Charles Village Civic Association, an organization that continues to be dedicated to the continuation of the area’s unique identity.