In 1827,  thanks to the generosity of William Patterson,  Patterson Park was born.  The initial gift of 6 acres was increased to 35 acres in 1860.  The park grew again in later years when the City of Baltimore purchased additional land.

This historic site played a major role in the War of 1812.  (The "War of 1812" actually lasted for three years and several months - from June 19, 1812 until after the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815 - thus the Battle of Baltimore in September, 1814, is also called "The War of 1812").

Over 5,000 British troops, which originally landed at North Point in Baltimore County, could not prevail against the American forces who defended the City of Baltimore from "Hampstead Hill" - located in the northwest corner of Patterson Park.  Known as "Rodgers Bastion" (Hampstead Hill), with over 100 cannon, this was the centerpiece of a 3 mile-wide earthworks, from Canton, north to the Bel Air Road - in defense of the eastern approach to Baltimore by the British.  The British, under the leadership of Major General Robert Ross (who had ordered the burning of the White House *), met heavy resistance at the Battle of North Point.  During the second shift of American defenses General Ross was shot and killed by a Baltimore County sharpshooter, a member of the 5th Maryland Militia Regiment.  Ross' death was a major blow to the British army and delayed their efforts to move westward toward Baltimore City.                                      

* On the night of August 23rd., with British troops approaching Washington, Dolley Madison was able to remove and save the full length portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.  On the next night, August 24th,  British troops feasted on White House food, using the president's silverware and fine china, before they set the furniture and building on fire.

The Battle of Baltimore, from Fort McHenry, North Point and Hampstead Hill, repulsed the British sea and land invasions.  This was one of the turning points of the war - as Baltimore was a major port city along the Atlantic coast, second only to New York City at the time.  Historians, unfortunately, have overlooked the importance of this victory and the War of 1812.  It has been referred to as "The Forgotten War."

During the War Between the States, when much of Baltimore was "occupied" by Union troops, the park was used as a Union troop encampment and hospital.  East Baltimore women, notwithstanding Lincoln's proclamation and threats from the Union General, Benjamin Butler, would often "parade" in front of the "yankee" soldiers wearing the red and white colours of the Confederacy on their bonnets and clothing.   During this time Harper's Weekly published a famous lithograph of a beautiful "Baltimore Belle", walking passed a group of Union soldiers, wearing the First National Flag of the Confederacy on her large hoop skirt. This so enraged Butler and the Provost Marshall that they passed a military ordinance telling Baltimore women what they could and could not wear on their bonnets and clothing (later, "anyone" wearing the red and white colours of the Confederacy, in Maryland, was arrested for treason).  Hetty Carey, one of "Those Monument Street Girls" (members of the Baltimore Glee Club, a firebrand group of young Confederate women) would have none of this.  Just after the ordinance became public knowledge she brazenly waved a large Confederate flag in the face of two Union soldiers walking past her house on Hamilton Terrace. The young soldiers were stunned by her boldness and courage - but so taken aback by her beauty that they did not report the incident. (Hetty, and her sister Jennie, were considered two of the most beautiful women in Baltimore at the time. They, along with other young women in their group, put to music "Maryland, My Maryland", written by James Ryder Randall in 1861).  Songs of secession, like Dixie,  Maryland, My Maryland, The Maryland Boys are coming!, and "Welcome 'Jeff' (Jefferson Davis) to Baltimore" were also banned.  Federal Hill was also occupied by a Massachusett's regiment and two artillery units from New York - with 50 cannon trained on the City of Baltimore..."a not so veiled threat from Abraham Lincoln."

Before air-conditioning and even electric fans, Patterson Park, during the hot-humid summer nights, was used as a bedroom by many Highlandtown residents.  I remember sleeping there with my entire family, neighbors and friends on many summer nights in the late 40's.  During the day, Patterson Park was our playground.  We climbed trees, sat on cannon (fighting the War of 1812 over, again and again), sailed our small sailboats on the boat lake, ran up and down hills with seagulls flying overhead - enjoying our youth, our freedom and our young mothers who were usually with us.

During the month of May, Saint Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church and School (Lakewood Avenue and Baltimore Street) would hold its May processions in the park.  Hundreds of young girls, with flowers in their hair, dressed in colourful gowns, carrying great bouquets of spring flowers, would process through the park with the Franciscan nuns who taught them.  They would follow the crucifer, parish priests and acolytes, and quite often the Bishop of Baltimore singing: "O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels,  Queen of the May."  May Processions were held annually to honour Mary, the "Blessed Mother."  The ceremonies were quite beautiful and well attended by the parishioners of Saint Elizabeth's - one of Baltimore's largest Catholic parishes and a major feeder school to Patterson Park High School.  Official services and ceremonies would commence at the grand Victorian Music Pavilion.

Schilpp's Confectionary, also known as the Kenwood Sweet Shop, which was owned by my great Uncles, William and Frederick Schilpp, was very near the park and Saint Elizabeth's school.  This was a major after school stop for many students where they could pick up a bag of sweets or a pickled onion for ten or fifteen cents to eat on their way home from school.

I still have vivid memories of the "Pagoda" which sat on the highest point of Hampstead Hill (the pagoda is still there and open to the public on the weekends).  The 60 foot octagonal building, built in 1890, was designed by Charles H. Latrobe to reflect the Victorian style of the day.  From the top of the tower one can view much of Baltimore City, the Patapsco River and Fort McHenry. The Patterson Park Casino, built in 1893, was constructed in stone.  This very impressive and strong building was also designed by Latrobe.  The Victorian "Music Pavilion", built in 1924, was another extraordinary building.  The Music Pavilion was large with a circular colonnade porch. The grand Romanesque entrance had two massive support columns, probably 30 ft. tall .  The roof, elevated in the center, was crowned by a decorative cupola resembling an ornamental cap similar to a priest's miter.  Many concerts and religious ceremonies would take place here until much of the building was destroyed by fire in 1972.

As we grew older we also enjoyed the tennis courts, the baseball and soccer fields or just sitting under one of the great Elm trees that provided shade on a hot Baltimore afternoon.  Most of the umbrella like Elm trees have died but they have been replaced by colourful Oak and Maple trees... and the old park lives on - with all its ghosts, its great history and the dreams and faded laughter of thousands of young children.

"Patterson Park, which bears his name (and the name of our high school) was a gift of his to Baltimore, and ever green as its sod, must his memory be in the hearts of the people who inherit it."    (Brantz Mayer)

Christopher Newman                  March 2, 2011