Patterson Park

History: Throughout the Civil War, Patterson Park served as a US Army camp during the Federal occupation of Baltimore. The 10th Maine Infantry Regiment occupied Camp Washburn in the southern section of the park in 1861. Eventually, the camp was expanded and renamed Camp Patterson. Then, in 1862, the US Army General Hospital Patterson Park was established here as Baltimore became a hospital town, with similar facilities filling open spaces and city parks. When the war was over, the camp and hospital were demolished, and Patterson Park was redesigned and reconstructed over the course of several years. The area soon returned to being a place for residential picnics and outings.

More to Explore: Patterson Park offers a delightful variety of activities and amenities to choose from. First, you may want to visit the observatory, or pagoda which was designed in 1890. From the top you can see several points of interest such as Fort McHenry, the harbor, Key Bridge, and Patapsco River. You can have fun on the playground with family, or take a walk around the Boat Lake. Feel free to bring your canine friends along too! There is a dog park where they can exercise and play. If you visit during the colder months, put your skates on and head for the Ice Skating Rink, host to many of Baltimore's hockey teams and special seasonal events.

Photo Credits:

1. “Patterson Park Barracks, 1862, occupied by 90th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.” Courtesy of Library of Congress.
2. “Patterson Park Observatory, ca. 1903.” Courtesy of Library of Congress.