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RG 17 Burnt District Commission (1904-07)
History
The Baltimore fire of February 1904 destroyed 140 acres, 1,500
buildings, and four large lumber yards, leaving over thirty-five
thousand Baltimoreans jobless. Total damages were estimated between
$125 and $150 million. Shortly after the fire the municipality
empowered the Burnt District Commission to plan, improve, and rebuild
the destroyed areas. The commission worked three and one half years
to reduce street grades, widen streets, plan public squares and market
spaces, establish building lines and sidewalks, and improve the
harbor. Spending over seven million dollars, the commission removed
hundreds of buildings and widened St. Paul, Pratt, Light, German,
Lombard, and Charles Streets. The commission also encouraged the
speedy rebuilding of the commercial district.
Records Summary
The records of the Burnt District Commission are reasonably
complete. Most aspects of the body's work in supervising the recovery
of the area destroyed by the blaze are covered, including clearing
rubble, acquiring property, granting franchises, improving wharves,
and widening and paving streets. Types of records present include
reports, legal documents, correspondence, and maps.
Series
1. Semi-Annual Commission Reports. 1904-07. 1.4 cu. ft.
(3 boxes).
Arranged chronologically.
2. Administrative Records. 1904-07. 1.4 cu. ft. (3 boxes).
Arranged by subject. See series 4 for index.
3. Street Progress Reports. 1904-07. 1.7 cu. ft. (4 boxes)
Arranged alphabetically by street names.
4. Alphabetical Index File. 1904-07. 1 reel of microfilm.
Arranged alphabetically.
5. Maps of Burnt District of Baltimore. 1904. 1 reel of
microfilm.
No arrangement.
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