History – Tuscany Canterbury

Clover Hill Sign. This historic marker stands on Charles Street just north of University Parkway on the Guilford side of the street.

A National Historic District

Tuscany-Canterbury is one of Baltimore’s registered historic neighborhoods. It lies on land known in the 18th century as Merryman’s Lot and in the 19th century as Clover Hill. Merryman’s descendants divided and sold the Clover Hill farm in 1865 and 1869. The first development, University Homes, was built between 1916 and 1920 on Cloverhill and Canterbury. Tuscany-Canterbury continued to grow into a charming, eclectic mix of individual housing, apartments and condominiums. Most characteristic of the neighborhood are its gracious town homes that date back to the 1920’s. The neighborhood remained nameless until 1965.

What we know today as Tuscany-Canterbury developed slowly over a quarter of a century. Clover Hill dates back to 1714.

See Commision for Historical and Architectural Preservation

Early History 1629 - 1900

1629 King Charles 1 granted George Calvert land North of Virginia

1688 Initial Land Grant – Clover Hill Estate

1799 Paradise Mill located within the boundaries of Tuscany-Canterbury

1869 Shift from gentry to tradesmen

Late 19th Century Suburbanization begins. Canterbury and Cloverhill laid out in lots

Ma and Pa Railroad 1901-1954

1901-1954

The Ma and Pa railroad went through Tuscany-Canterbury along the Stony Run.

From 1901 to 1954 the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, affectionately known as the Ma & Pa, connected Baltimore and York, Pennsylvania, over a circuitous 77-mile route. The main line traveled northeast from Baltimore across the rolling Maryland hills through Towson and Bel Air. including its passage through Wyman and Linkwood Parks at the edge of Tuscany-Canterbury.

Building a Neighborhood: The Golden Triangle 1914-1945

Tuscany-Canterbury as it is known today was built mostly between the two world wars. Its enviable near-downtown location and suburban character attracted families, retired people and Hopkins students and faculty. Education facilities met every need, from kindergarten through post-graduate years. There was attractive living space for virtually everyone. Little wonder realtors soon dubbed it the “Golden Triangle.”

University Parkway (Merryman's Lane)

University Parkway forms the Southern boundary of Tuscany-Canterbury.

2 W University Parkway, Guilford Manor( 1919 )

4 W University Parkway, The Colonnade (1988)

100 W University Parkway, 100 West(1916)

102 W University Parkway, First Church of Christ, Scientist(1912)

104 W University Parkway (1914), and 106 W University Parkway (1920)

108-114 W University Parkway, Carolina Apartments (1923)

116 W University Parkway, The Broadview (1950)

Charles Street Development

Charles Street forms the Eastern boundary of Tuscany-Canterbury.

Bishop’s Square Park

3700 N. Charles Street Northway (1920’s), renovated and renamed The Varsity (2008), rebranded as The Academy (2014)

3704 N Charles Street, Phillipshurst Estate (1880’s) (burnt down), Buckingham Arms (1920)(burnt down), St. James (1989)

3810 N Charles Street, 1880’s a large estate; 1930 house moved across the street; Scottish Rite Temple (1932); 2007 becomes a CHAP historic building

3900 N Charles Street, The Cambridge (1961); The Social (Renovated 2018)

3908 N Charles Street, The Hyde Mansion (1880’s), The Warrington (1928)

4000 N Charles Street The Everbright Estate (1880’s), Highfield House (1965), National Historic Landmark (2007)

4100 N Charles Street, The Mallory Estate (aka the haunted house), a motor house proposed (1970), Winthrop House (1975)

4200 Block N Charles Street, (1928-1949 )(homes, apartments, condominiums, former fraternity house).

4300 North Charles Street 4300 Garden Apartments (1965, demolished 2004 for Calvert School)

Inner Core Residential Buildings

100 W 39th Street Canterbury Hall (1912)

101 W 39th Street, The Hamlyn (Late 1920’s)

103 W 39^th Street, The Hamilton (Late 1920’s)

104 W 39th Street, Berkeley House (1920)

105 W 39th Street, The Broadview (1950)

106 W 39th Street, The Ascot House(demolished 1978) See National Historic District

108 W 39th Street, Woodcliffe Country Home, Richard Capron (1874), Home of the Presidents of Johns Hopkins University, Woodcliffe Manor (1952)

110 W 39th Street, The Hopkins House (1970)

3801 Canterbury Road, Residences at the Colonnade (1988)

3811 Canterbury Road, The Ambassador(1928)

3800 Canterbury Road, The Lincoln

3904 Canterbury Road, The Dundee (1921)

University Homes, 3900 block of Cloverhill and Canterbury Rds., Unit Block 39th St.

University Homes (1917-1920)

Construction occurred between 1917-1920 building the University Homes on Cloverhill and Canterbury. People moved into University Homes without much of an idea of how the surrounding area would develop. The great mansions on Charles Street Ave were still there and eight or ten apartment houses had been constructed in the area. The row houses were convenient and affordable, close to transportation and thus attractive to future homeowners. MORE

Stony Run Lane and Area 1915-1922

Tuscany Lombardy Community Corporation (TLCC) (1915)

Architect Clyde Friz constructed three apartment houses on part of the land he had purchased from the University Parkway Company in 1913. These buildings were situated in a secluded, almost hidden enclave of the neighborhood.