Garnet Baltimore

Garnet Douglass Baltimore (April 15, 1859 – June 12, 1946) was the first African-American engineer and graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, Class of 1881.[1][2]

He was named for two prominent abolitionists, Henry Highland Garnet and Frederick Douglass. Baltimore's father, Peter, was a pupil of Garnet and associated with Douglass.[3]

He was known for his architectural, engineering, and landscaping work, including Prospect Park in Troy, and Forest Park Cemetery in Brunswick, New York.[4] During his work on the extension of a lock on the Oswego Canal, Baltimore developed a system to test cement that was adopted as standard by New York State.[5]

Early life

Garnet Baltimore was born in Troy, New York on April 15, 1859. His parents were Peter F. Baltimore and Caroline Newcomb Baltimore. Peter owned a well-known barbershop in Troy known as the Veranda.[6] Peter and his brother William were active in the Underground Railroad and were prominent figures in the escape of Charles Nalle during his attempted arrest in 1860. Baltimore's grandfather was Samuel Baltimore, a slave who fought in the Revolutionary War.[3]

Baltimore was born in Troy, New York and lived at 162 Eighth Street his entire life.[3] The Great Fire on May 10, 1862, destroyed his home. In an article featured in The Times Record of Troy, New York celebrating his 84th Birthday, Baltimore recalled taking refuge in the Holy Cross Episcopal Church on 8th Street with his family and other neighborhood children during the fire.[6] Baltimore attended the Troy Academy and graduated in 1877. He was a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1881 with a degree in Civil Engineering.[3]

Career as a Civil Engineer

Garnet Baltimore was a lifelong resident of Troy, New York, and was employed throughout the Capital Region. After graduating from RPI, Baltimore worked on the Albany and Greenbush Bridge and was an assistant engineer for other projects, including the Sandy Hill Railroad and the Albany, Granville, and Rutland Railroad.[7]

Baltimore was well known for his work on waterways. He was involved in many Hudson River improvements and Troy waterworks. While employed by the New York State Department of Public Works, he worked on the Shinnecock and Peconic Canal.[7] During his work on the Oswego Canal, he developed a comparative test of cement using quartz and sands.[5] Baltimore was also a landscape engineer for many cemeteries in the Capital Region including the Oakwood Cemetery and Forest Park Cemetery in Troy, New York, and several other cemeteries in Hoosick Falls, Glens Falls, and Amsterdam, New York.[6]

Baltimore dedicated much of his work to the beautification and development of Troy, New York. His most well-regarded accomplishment in Troy was his work designing Prospect Park.[8] The 80-acre park is still in use by Troy residents today. Unfortunately, much of the original work Baltimore designed no longer exists due to poor management. In 1943, Baltimore published an opinion piece in The Times Record of Troy, New York. Baltimore describes his frustration with the mismanagement of the park. He states, “Is the civic pride of Trojans so deadened that no murmur of regret is heart at this willful neglect?”[9] By the 1940s, several of the original features had already been lost, including the Warren Mansion, Band Stand, and Bascom fountain. The Friends of Prospect Park formed in 1998 and has attempted to increase popularity and restore its beauty lost over years of neglect.[10]

Personal life

Baltimore was married to Mary Lane and had no children.[3]

Death and legacy

Garnet Baltimore died at the age of 87 on June 12, 1946, in Troy, New York. At the time, he was the oldest living graduate of RPI.[11] Baltimore was inducted as a life-member of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in 1946.[12] He was active in the Rensselaer Alumni Association and the 50 Year Club.[13]

Beginning in 1991, RPI established the Garnet D. Baltimore Lecture Series in his honor.[3] In February 2005, former Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian ceremonially renamed the section of Eighth Street between Hoosick Street and Congress Street as Garnet Douglass Baltimore Street.[14]

References
  1. Nearing, Brian (August 12, 2018). "Trailblazer, RPI grad to be honored at Troy park he designed". Times Union. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  2. Perry, Kate (January 21, 2003). "RPI students show they're good skates". The Record. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. Gallien, Meg (2005). "Honoring a Son of Troy" (Winter 2005-2006). Rensselaer Alumni Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. Zankel, Sharon (2005). "Garnet Douglass Baltimore Also a Part of Brunswick's History" (PDF). Brunswick Town Newsletter. Town of Brunswick. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. Baltimore, Garnet D. (27 February 1892). "Comparative Tests of Cement, With Quartz and Stone". The Polytechnic. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. "Veteran Engineer Observes Date of 84th Anniversary". The Times Record, Troy, NY. 16 April 1943. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. Young, William H; Nason, Henry B; Hall, Benjamin H (1887). Biographical Record of the Officers and Graduates of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1824-1886. Troy, NY. pp. 512–513. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  8. "Garnet Baltimore, 1881: Civic Designs 50 Years Ahead of Their Time" (Winter 1977). The Rensselaer Alumni Bulletin. 1977. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  9. Baltimore, Garnet D (16 November 1943). "Alas Poor Yorick!". The Times Record, Troy, NY. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  10. "Friends of Prospect Park". Prospect Park. City of Troy, New York. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  11. Van Olinda, Edgar S (25 June 1946). "Around the Town". The Albany Times Union. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  12. "GARNET D. BALTIMORE HONORED BY ENGINEERS". The Times Record, Troy, NY. 5 April 1946. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  13. "Members of 50 Year Club Hold Reunion". The Polytechnic. 18 June 1937. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  14. Aaron, Kenneth (11 February 2021). "Troy Street Paved with Family Pride". The Albany Times Union. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
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