Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Civic Association Records

The Ednor Gardens-Lakeside neighborhood in Baltimore City is on land that was once owned by General Samuel Smith, a Revolutionary War hero, congressman, senator, and mayor of Baltimore. Smith fought with the French during the Revolutionary War. He named the area “Montebello” in honor of their victory in the Battle of Montebello in 1800 during the French Revolution. Later, the land was sold to John W. Garret, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Ednor Gardens is part of a large planned community that was built between the 1920s and the 1950s by Edward Gallagher, one of Baltimore's most prolific homebuilders at the time. The name Ednor came from a combination of Gallagher’s sons, Edward and Norman. Many of the homes were built in the English Tudor styles, while others are Colonial in design. Lakeside was named for nearby Lake Montebello. The area is home to single family homes that are Colonial and traditional in style. Both communities have a diversity of housing styles and unique architecture.

Until it’s demolition in 2002, Memorial Stadium was located in Ednor Gardens-Lakeside. This was the home of the Baltimore the Orioles baseball team until 1991 and home to the Colts and Ravens football teams between 1994 and 1997. Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) was given the responsibility of creating a new plan for the site by Baltimore City. Stadium Place is now home to athletic fields, Maryland’s largest YMCA, and several senior living apartments.

The Ednor Gardens Lakeside Civic Association, Inc. is one of the oldest civic associations in Baltimore. It is a non-profit organization that was created by the members of the neighborhood. It aims to communicate with public officials, to promote the neighborhood and enhance community development.

Information for this historical note came from materials within the collection and local newspapers and online articles. The Association also has a website: www.ednorgardenslakeside.org/