WA Landmarks
"A Neighborhood of Class with a Historical Past"
West Arlington Water Tower
The West Arlington Tower is located at Ridgewood and Granada Avenues and borders with the neighboring Dorchester community. The West Arlington Water Tower has been in a desperate state of repair since 1930 but it remains as one of two water towers in Baltimore. The other water tower is located in Roland Park. Here is some additional background:
Built in 1899, the West Arlington Water Tower was originally used to supply water to the West Arlington neighborhood in northwest Baltimore just across the city line. The community developed quickly around it with the West Arlington Improvement Company building a new septic system and even a "portable school"—later known by the nickname "The Chicken Coop"—for the scores of families moving into the area in the 1900s and 1910s.
In a 1916 feature on West Arlington, calling it the "Suburb of Many Happy Homes," the Baltimore Sun reflected on the water tower as a local landmark that "should not be overlooked," writing, "It is one of the most beautiful in Maryland and commands a fine view for miles over the country. From its top one can look for miles down the bay and see white-winged vessels drifting in the harbor." Next door stood a "handsome tower house" where local resident, Mrs. J.M. Crowley made and sold "all varieties of baskets and tray."
By the early 1930s, however, the tower had fallen into disuse and the city planned to demolish the structure in 1933. When funding for demolition never arrived the tower simply sat and has remained a landmark ever since."
Eli Pousson, “West Arlington Water Tower,” Explore Baltimore Heritage, accessed October 26, 2016, https://explore.baltimoreheritage.org/items/show/199.
The association has advocated for bond bill funding to repair and renovate the tower into a space that will preserve its history but also a space that can be used by the community. Most recently, the 41st Delegation acquired $250K to use towards the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovations, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Water Tower structure and grounds.
West Arlington Park
The West Arlington Park property is located at Elderon Avenue, Wabash Avenue and Garrison Blvd. This property is owned by CSX and West Arlington leases the property from the City for $1. West Arlington applied and was awarded a grant from the Pimlico Community Development Authority (PCDA). The PCDA is the fiscal and project manager to administer the Pimlico Racetrack One Mile Radius Funds. This grant was in the amount of $30K for a beautification project on this property.
West Arlington has teamed up with Civic Works to complete the work, which is set to begin late May or early June 2021. The beautification and landscaping project will include:
Design and Planning
Removal of dead trees
Prune & limb-up remaining trees, rehabilitate existing hedges, clear area around sign, mulch
Remove & dispose existing damaged benches
Convert 4 existing concrete trash container housings into planter boxes. Relocate and secure into grade at shallow depth. Fill with soil and plant perennial flowers
Provide and anchor 6 metal benches {60") in framed stone beds
Provide and anchor 5 commercial grade metal trash housings with removable, Cable connected sleeves
Create flower bed per community approved design with perennials, mulch
Provide and install 8 ornamental trees
Create two “art set-up boards” for attachment of student artwork panels
Clean existing metal park sign, repaint solid color background
Once the project is complete, Baltimore Clean Streets will assign 2 to 3 student workers to empty the trash cans and keep the property clean.
Penhurst Park
Penhurst Park is located at Penhurst Avenue and Garrison Blvd and is owned by Baltimore Rec and Parks. Penhurst Park is slightly larger than a football field. Residents can enjoy the open space and playground. There is also a horseshoe pit.
During the 2021 Maryland General Assembly, Senator Jill P. Carter was able to secure $100K for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovations, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a playground project which will include bathroom renovations and the addition of fencing, a volleyball court, and a community garden.
As of April 2021, renovations have begun and we are looking forward to enjoying the renovated space in the near future.
