Being a history geek, I enjoy running past historical markers and, if there is a plaque, picking up a few tidbits of information. Since Baltimore is loaded with historical sites, I decided to take advantage of the sunny and cool weekend weather in Charm City and go out for an historical destination run. Having picked up a Maryland Civil War Trails map for Baltimore, I identified the following two sites within running distance that I have not seen before: the Greenmount Cemetery and the Battle Monument.
Starting out on Yolando Drive, I ran down to 33rd Street then over to Calvert Street (named after the founder of Maryland). I jogged down Calvert to North Avenue then ran a few blocks over to the Greenmount Cemetery where many Civil War figures and the Booth family are buried including the ill-famed John Wilkes Booth. Maryland was one of the Border States during the War and Baltimore was very much split between the northern and southern sympathizers.
After running by the cemetery, I headed back over the Calvert Street then down to the Battle Monument located between Lexington and Fayette Streets. This happens to be our nation’s first monument dedicated to the civilian solider and was erected to celebrate victories over the British in the War of 1812 in the Battle of North Point and the Bombardment of Fort McHenry. In 1861, the governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore gave speeches at this monument to try to calm the citizens down after the Baltimore Riot. Also, the Battle Monument, which depicts Lady Liberty holding up a victory laurel, is used in the Baltimore City symbol.
On my way back to Yolando Road, I ran by Mt. Vernon Place and took a lap around the cobble street road circling the famous Washington Monument. I discovered that President Lincoln gave a stirring speech from this site on April 18, 1861. Also, reading from a plaque, President John Quincy Adams gave Baltimore one of its well know nicknames of “Monumental City” due to these two famous monuments. In total, I ran 8.6 miles at an easy and enjoyable pace.
Finally, for my non-running workout I was able to complete 300 sit-up and 30 push-ups. | 