0005 - The Squeeze Put on the Art of Arabbing

In continuing my research, I found that the art of arabbing in Baltimore goes back to at least the early 1800's. The use of a horse and wagon during that time played a major role in the delivery of wood, coal, ice, milk, food and almost everything else to many people that were not able to get around the city. This was a type of entrepreneuralism that Baltimore residents relied on daily.

In 1966, a decline in arabbing began due to government regulations, urban renewal projects, and animal rights activists. With the growth of Baltimore becoming a major focus, the arabbers were starting to be pressured from all sides because of how they earned a living with the use of horses and the way it was being viewed in Baltimore. The arabbers struggles gained attention and that eventually lead to the creation of the Arabbers Preservation Society to help them save a diminishing piece of Baltimore history.


http://www.baltimoremd.com/arabber/

http://www.instituteforjustice.org

0004 - Information Seeking

The research project is in full swing! Gathering information has started to become very interesting. I find myself going in all directions when I come up with an idea, but I just go where the information leads me. The intriguing part of this project is that you are guaranteed to find more information if you keep looking.

I also spent a delightful morning on the phone with Ms. Uncles who works in the mayors office. She is an aide to Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. Ms. Uncles provided me with some very good information and contacts to use for the project. The surprising part of our phone conversation on "Baltimore Arabbers" was that she ended up giving me a few pieces of interesting information that she remembered about the horse stables on Retreat Street.

You never know where your next source of information may come from!

0003 - Arabbers roots to slavery

Visited the Maryland Room at the Enoch Pratt Library a few times and found some very interesting information on Baltimore Arabbers. I encourage everyone to go there to find some very good information to use for their project.

The photo on the right is of Roland L. Freeman, a photographer born and raised in Baltimore. He played a major role in documenting the history of Baltimore Arabbers.

The photo on the left is of his great-grandfather, Peter Richard Janey. Born in 1868 of ex-slaves. He migrated from Calvert County, MD to Baltimore in 1895. He owned one of the first horse stables in Baltimore on Gilmore street.

0002 - Arabbers in Fells Point

Photo credit:

An Arabber's wagon parked at Broadway near Fells Point.East Baltimore, MD, March 1980. http://tgcd.org/imgs/exh/5_6.jpg

My research proposal topic that I will be conducting research on for the class will be on the history of “Baltimore Arabbers” and the role they played in the growth of Baltimore City. I will attempt to explore the life of this old tradition in Baltimore City neighborhoods that is slowly disappearing. The days of horse and wagon street vendors riding through the block selling different items was one of the customs that made Baltimore what it is today. I chose this topic because it reminds me of one of my first experiences I had of “culture shock” being a kid from New York adjusting to life in Baltimore. The horse and wagons layered with their own style of decorated fruits and vegetables and the arabbers with their distinct sounds are things that separated one from the other.

I think this topic will contribute to the class’s understanding of Baltimore’s history by explaining and presenting information that helps you understand where the roots of a Baltimore tradition started from and where it stands today. I will try to put a face to the people many of us may see or ride past daily but never stop to realize where these different street venders come from. Those that may or may not be familiar with “Baltimore Arabbers” need to know that there is an interesting history behind the old horse and wagons you see strolling through the streets of Baltimore.

0001 - My first Blog post on the history of Arabbers.

This is the start of my Blog for the University of Baltimore - History of Baltimore class project. I chose to do my project on Baltimore Arabbers and their impact on the city of Baltimore.