.....Our
walking tour continues east on Montgomery Street.At this point you should once again see the steps
leading up to the escarpment at Federal Hill Park two-blocks
directly in front of you.
The
cobble stones in this block are original.During the 60’s the area’s new residents discovered
their existence under a layer of pavement.In true pioneer spirit, they got out their picks and shovels
broke up the tar all the way up the block from Light to
William.The City
was left to clean up the mess, which it did begrudgingly.
On
the right hand side of the street at 125 E. Montgomery Street
stands a building built in 1855 to serve as headquarters of
the Watchman Fire Company.
This
was one of several volunteer fire companies in Baltimore that
were associated with insurance companies.There were no municipal fire departments at the time,
and all of the fire companies would routinely show up at a
house fire, check to see which insurance company plaque was
displayed on the burning building, and only douse the flames
if their company’s name were on the plaque.You can see an example of one of these plaques at 220
E. Warren Avenue, a block south of here.