For 35 years, the McKeldin Square was home to a rare public fountain in the Brutalist style designed by architect Thomas Todd. Located in a Free Speech Zone in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, McKeldin Fountain was popular among local workers, tourists and residents. At the highly visible intersection of Pratt and Light Streets in downtown Baltimore, the Square was the base of many protests, including Occupy Baltimore.
In 2013, with the help of the ACLU, the Square became the city’s model for several designated Free Speech Zones.
The story of McKeldin Fountain is an example of the escalating privatization of public spaces worldwide, a trend that continues to diminish access to full participation for ordinary people in everyday urban life.
The fountain boasted over a dozen diverse structures for water and gravity to flow, including a double waterfall.
After several years of neglect, the fountain was only sporadically running and its lighting, plants, and overall appearance started to deteriorate. In 2010, a controversial campaign was launched to demolish the fountain. Between October 2016 and January 2017, the fountain was leveled and replaced with a grassy field.
Future plans for the site are unknown.
Function
1982Fountain
2013 Fountain, Designated Free Speech Zone
2017 Non-existing, demolished between 2016-2017
Ownership
1982 Baltimore City
2013 City of Baltimore
2017 City of Baltimore
Condition
1982
2013 Deteriorated, earmarked for demolition
2017 Demolished
Property Management
1982 The Department of Public Works, The Department of Recreation and Parks
2013 The Department of Public Works, The Department of Recreation and Parks
2017 Waterfront Partnership
Form of government
1982 Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic
2013 Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic
2017 Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic
Spatial Planning Agency
1982 Charles Center - Inner Harbor Management inc.
2013
2017
Type of heritage and protection
1982
2013 None
2017 N/A
For 35 years McKeldin Square was home to a rare public fountain designed by architect Thomas Todd. Photo: Nonument Group
The fountain boasted over a dozen diverse structures for water and gravity to flow, including a double waterfall.
After several years of neglect, the fountain started to deteriorate. Photo: Nonument Group
The fountain was located in a Free Speech Zone in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Photo: Nonument Group
The Square was the base of many protests, including Occupy Baltimore.