Baltimore Marble Stoop

The front marble steps or stoops as they are known are part of the tradition and culture of baltimore.

Baltimore marble stoop. Baltimore sculptor works in marble reclaimed stoops jul 21 2012 at 3 07 pm baltimore sculptor sebastian martorana is enamored with baltimore s marble steps and has endeavored to use. She recommends i go down to the. I spent many summers swimming in beaver dam and never knew that marble stone was extracted from the quarry in the early twentieth century. While the rowhomes erected were kept affordable for the working class the marble steps offered that touch of class to the otherwise modest home.

Before fenced in back yards became the norm marble steps were a central gathering spot for neighbors to come together relax converse and most importantly get to know each other. Baltimore didn t invent the concept of the stoop. The marble found there is of such quality that it was preferred over the products of the much closer potomac marble quarries for many public structures in washington d c including the. Marble is cool to sit on.

If you have ever visited baltimore city one thing that you notice immediately is the beautiful white marble steps in front of the traditional row homes. It became a traditional thing like old world customs adapted here in various communities the siesta in europe then in the afternoon folks get dressed up so here it became tradition to get dressed up and sit out on the stoop. Vacant weathered boarded up and marked with white x s on red square signs that. Cleaning the marble on saturday mornings was a youth chore.

These steps are well maintained by the home owners. Stoop sitting is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors and enjoy your neighborhood and stoops are an aspect of baltimore architecture that go back to the nineteenth century. These steps are made from brick or prefabricated concrete. If it s all about making a good first impression what better way to start than with the perfect stoop.

Looks much like others on its block. The marble that was used for many of the stoops in baltimore came from a quarry in cockeysville which is today known as beaver dam. Many scrubbing the steps by hand. Marble steps became more than just a decorative fixture to baltimore s unique architecture design they were a vital piece that endorsed neighborhood involvement.

I moved from new jersey to cockeysville when i was going on nine years old. Baltimore on first glance the three floor home at 2216 druid hill ave.