The camera is looking west toward W. Monument Street. W. Mount Vernon Place is in the foreground. Cathedral Street runs north and south just beyond that. Many of the buildings are still there, but the partially ivy-covered mansion at the southwest corner of W. Monument and Cathedral is gone. Peabody Court Hotel, originally built as luxury apartments in 1928, occupies that space now.

when it comes to architecture.

But when I see photos like that I wonder why we let architects, builders, clients, planners, authorities and regulators to lose all artistry, skill and craftmanship. Especially (but not limited to) when it is about every-day urban architecture.

This downtown campus was a temporary home from the start. Legal and financial problems kept Johns Hopkins in this crowded neighborhood for over 30 years. But around the time this picture was taken, previously secret plans were revealed to move a couple of miles north to what is now known as the Homewood campus. The relocation wasn't complete until 1924.

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The picture would have been taken from the window high up the monument facing east towards Johns Hopkins. Do a 180 on the Google view and you can see Monument Street as it goes towards the hospital.

The Washington Monument was a favorite destination when we felt like a bike ride.

The main attraction was a great view of our town and the cost was right (free). We would run up the spiral staircase and take in the wonders of the town.

To the South was the sprawling port, tall buildings and the infamous Baltimore Street, to the North was the newly built Memorial Stadium home of the Orioles and Colts, to the Northeast was our home turf along Belair Road, to the Northwest was Pimlico Race track.

Man on the edge of the roof, thee story townhouse, right side of photo.

Every time I see a photo of roof tops I look for a broom.

So awesome to see my neighborhood that long ago.