Armistead Gardens

Armistead Gardens is a small neighborhood originally built in Northeast Baltimore for those workers coming into the city for jobs in the World War II munitions factories. Unfortunately, most of the original houses were not well maintained and soon collapsed for lack of care. In an attempt to preserve the remaining architecture, the Armistead Homes Corporation purchased man of the remaining properties in 1956. Today, many of the residents are second and third generation citizens of the neighborhood.
Part of the neighborhood’s charm rests in its four historic churches that serve both the spiritual and social needs of the area. Most of the neighborhood’s children attend the Armistead Gardens Elementary and Middle School through 8th grade.
The main problem facing the neighborhood right now is that its population is aging and many of the units are not being purchased by new residents. This, along with a higher than average unemployment rate, has given the community a feeling of being run down and decaying. On the other hand, because over a third of the homes are currently empty, this could be an excellent place for a young couple looking for a bargain in housing. However, there would be a real danger that any property purchased could lose rather than gain value.