10 Things You Didn’t Know About Baltimore

BALTIMORE, Md. — Baltimore is Maryland’s big city, but did you know that it’s also a historical hub for politics, literature, and sports? There are dozens of interesting things to learn about the sprawling city, especially if you’re curious about the most notable people to ever live there. The BayNet found ten interesting facts that you may not have known about Baltimore, so get ready to be immersed in Maryland history!

The Baltimore Ravens Are Named After Edgar Allan Poe

The Baltimore Ravens have won two Super Bowls, once in 2001 and again in 2013. They’re fierce competitors in the NFL, but did you know that the team was actually named after the poet Edgar Allan Poe’s work? Poe was a Baltimore resident who wrote “The Raven,” a poem that would go on to inspire the football team’s name. As another fun fact, the Baltimore Ravens’ mascot is named Poe, a subtle nod to the poet’s significant role in history.

Baltimore Is The “City of Charm”

Known for its historic streets and architecture, there’s no doubt that the hundreds of neighborhoods that make up Baltimore are charming. The title was assigned to Baltimore for a marketing campaign supported by Mayor William Donald Schaefer in 1974, though the city has since kept the nickname. Attractions like Fells Point offer charming shops and restaurants for visitors, and Baltimore’s distinct architecture takes you back to a different era.

Birthplace Of The Star-Spangled Banner

Francis Scott Key originally wrote the Star-Spangled Banner after the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry, as America prevailed over the British during the War of 1812. The National Anthem represents an essential part of American culture today, and the fact that its birthplace is Baltimore is an exciting piece of Maryland trivia.

Ouija Boards Come From Baltimore

The Ouija board traces its origins to Baltimore, where it was first patented and produced in 1890, with crucial help from Helen Peters Nosworthy—Elijah Bond’s sister-in-law. Known for her reputation as a strong medium, Peters was the one who convinced skeptical patent officials of the board’s mysterious abilities by demonstrating it during the patent process. Her successful session helped secure Bond’s patent and allowed the Kennard Novelty Company, founded in Baltimore, to begin manufacturing the first commercial talking boards. Thanks to this family connection and Baltimore’s entrepreneurial spirit, the city became the birthplace of one of America’s most famous supernatural tools.

Commercial Railroads Formed Their Roots In Baltimore

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad first offered passenger rides in 1830, and it was one of the first commercial railways in the entire US. Baltimore’s first railway took passengers to Ellicott’s Mills, a 13-mile adventure! The B&O Railroad museum even hosts the Mile One Express in 2025, which lets you explore our country’s first railway in person.

Baltimore Was Named After Cecilius Calvert

Cecilius Calvert was the second Lord Baltimore, and many parts of Maryland are named after him. The English politician had a huge influence on Maryland in the 1600s, as he was the first proprietor of the East Coast state. Not only was Baltimore named after Cecilius Calvert, but Calvert County in Southern Maryland also offers a direct reference to the historical figure in its name.

Michael Phelps Was Born In Baltimore

Michael Phelps is a famous Olympic swimmer, and he’s renowned worldwide for his impressive athletic ability. Phelps was born in Baltimore and resided there for many years, so his connection to the city earned him the nickname “The Baltimore Bullet.” Many famous historic and contemporary people have been born in the City of Charm, but Michael Phelps is among the most notable in the modern day.

Baltimore’s Aquarium Is The Largest Paid Attraction In Maryland

Baltimore is home to the National Aquarium, nestled along the water in the Inner Harbor. It’s no surprise that Baltimore’s aquarium is popular, though it’s actually the largest paid attraction in the state of Maryland based on its huge number of attendees. Visitors can view various forms of aquatic wildlife, like dolphins and stingrays, attracting hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world each and every year.

Before The Civil War, Baltimore Had The Biggest Free Black Community

Baltimore has always been a city of diverse cultures, and it was especially so prior to the Civil War. Thousands of free Black residents lived in various sections of Baltimore in the early 1800s. According to Maryland.gov, some free Baltimoreans, like William Adams, even aided enslaved people in gaining their own freedom.

The First Telegram Was Sent To Baltimore

As another first for the Maryland city, the first telegram was sent to Baltimore from Washington, D.C., on May 24, 1844. The message sent simply read, “What hath God wrought.” Though the first telegram was sent by its inventor, Samuel F.B. Morse, the message itself was thought up by the commissioner of patents’ daughter, Annie Ellsworth, according to an article by PreservationMaryland.org.

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