This is a curious old building, tucked away in a residential neighborhood that’s home to some blighted blocks, an apartment complex, and a new-ish suburban-looking subdivision.
On further research, it turns out that this property might be the oldest school building in Baltimore City, built in 1858. A shame that once again, the city has allowed a piece of Baltimore history to rot away.
Property Address: 1223 Argyle Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217
Property Owner: Mayor and City Council, 417 E Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
City Council District and Contact: District 11, Eric T. Costello
State Senator (District 40): Catherine E. Pugh
State Delegates (District 40): Frank M. Conaway, Antonio L. Hayes. Barbara A. Robinson
The original building received an addition in 1882, which was found somewhat unsatisfactory when reported in the “Reports of the City Officers and Departments”:
The addition, made to No. 18 Primary School, on Argyle avenue near Lanvale street, is now occupied by the school, and supplies accommodations which have long been needed. In the Male Department, though, the lighting has been seriously impaired by the addition. This could have been avoided by putting the stairway at the north end of the building instead of putting it between the old and new portions. Now, it is necessary to improve the light in the rooms of the old building, which are adjacent to the addition.”
