Oliver is a
neighborhood
A neighbourhood (British English, Irish English, Australian English and Canadian English) or neighborhood (American English; see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town, suburb or rural area, ...
in the Eastern district of
Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
,
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
. Its boundaries are the south side of North Avenue, the east side of Ensor Street, the west side of Broadway, and the north side of Biddle Street. This neighborhood, adjacent to
Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins (May 19, 1795 – December 24, 1873) was an American merchant, investor, and philanthropist. Born on a plantation, he left his home to start a career at the age of 17, and settled in Baltimore, Maryland where he remained for most ...
Medical Campus and minutes from the
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. It was described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as "the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the world". The ...
, lies east of the historic
Greenmount Cemetery
Green Mount Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established on March 15, 1838, and dedicated on July 13, 1839, it is noted for the large number of historical figures interred in its grounds as well as man ...
. The neighborhood is accessible by several bus lines, the
Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins (May 19, 1795 – December 24, 1873) was an American merchant, investor, and philanthropist. Born on a plantation, he left his home to start a career at the age of 17, and settled in Baltimore, Maryland where he remained for most ...
metro station,
Charm City Circulator
The Charm City Circulator (CCC or Downtown Circulator) is a privately funded, public transit downtown circulator shuttle service giving riders connection to historic sites, parking, and businesses throughout downtown Baltimore for free. The newe ...
,
Pennsylvania Station (Baltimore)
Baltimore Penn Station, formally named Baltimore Pennsylvania Station in full, is the main inter-city passenger rail hub in Baltimore, Maryland. Designed by New York architect Kenneth MacKenzie Murchison (1872–1938), it was constructed in 191 ...
, and freeway.
In the past, Oliver has experienced economic depression, housing abandonment, and the after-effects of the
Baltimore riot of 1968
The Baltimore riot of 1968 was a period of civil unrest that lasted from April 6 to April 14, 1968, in Baltimore. The uprising included crowds filling the streets, burning and looting local businesses, and confronting the police and national gua ...
. In recent years, a steadily increasing number of diverse families and young professionals have returned to the Oliver community. In hand with long term homeowners, new homeowners are experiencing a transforming community.
The neighborhood was a filming location for the Baltimore-based HBO drama ''
The Wire
''The Wire'' is an American Crime film, crime drama Television show, television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The ...
'', and was the home of the Baltimore chapter of the
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party (BPP), originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, was a Marxist-Leninist and black power political organization founded by college students Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in October 1966 in Oakland, Califo ...
.
[, City Paper (February 2nd, 2007)] Neighborhood attractions include The
National Great Blacks In Wax Museum
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland featuring prominent African-American and other black historical figures. It was established in 1983, in a downtown storefront on Saratoga Street.
The museum is currentl ...
.
Demographics
According to the 2010 census, the neighborhood had a total population of 4,153 people; 96.7% African-American, 1.3% White, 0.3% Asian, and 2.5% from some other or multiple ethnicities.
Though the area was once considered middle-class, it has in the last century experienced economic depression and housing abandonment. As of 2000, 25.0% of all housing units were vacant. In recent years, this neighborhood has begun to rebuild new, affordable, energy efficient townhomes.
Several organizations are revitalizing the area, including the Oliver Community Association, Come Home Baltimore, The 6th Branch, Oliver Beautification Alliance and the Oliver Economic Development Corporation.
See also
*
Dawson murder case
*
National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland featuring prominent African-American and other black historical figures. It was established in 1983, in a downtown storefront on Saratoga Street.
The museum is currentl ...
*
St. Francis Xavier Church (Baltimore)
References
External links
*
African-American history in Baltimore
Neighborhoods in Baltimore
Poverty in Maryland
Working-class culture in Baltimore
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