Lexington Market

Lexington Market(originally,Western Precincts Market) is a historic market inDowntown Baltimore,Maryland. Established in 1782, the market is now housed in a 60,000-square-foot market shed building completed in 2022 that is home to 50 merchants and kiosks. Lexington Market is located near theBaltimore Light RailandBaltimore Metro Subwaystops of the same name, about six blocks north ofOriole Park at Camden Yards. It is owned by the City of Baltimoreand managed by the nonprofitBaltimore Public Markets Corporation.
Lexington Market is one of the longest-running public markets in the nation, having been around since 1782.The land for the original market was donated byGeneral John Eager Howard, a famousContinental Armycommander of the Maryland Line regiment. The land came from his estate "Belvedere" (also known as "Howard's Woods) west and north of what was then Baltimore Town.
The market originally operated without sheds and stalls. Farmers from Towson and Reisterstown would load up their horse-drawn wagons with ham, butter, eggs and produce, while watermen would bring their catches from the Chesapeake Bay. Originally, the market was open on Tuesdays, Friday, and Saturday from 2 a.m. until noon. A bell would ring to start and end the market day.
In 1871, a shed was built for the market. After the shed was destroyed in a 1949 fire, the city built the "East Market" building atPacaandLexingtonStreets. A project to build a new market shed building began in 2020 and was completed in late 2022,when the East Market building was closed and slated for future development.
The history ofslaveryat Lexington Market includes both enslaved people as market workers and the sale of enslaved people at the market. In 2022, a sculpture was unveiled at Lexington Market calledRobert and Rosetta, depicting an enslaved market worker named Robert and an enslaved girl named Rosetta who was auctioned off at the market. Robert was enslaved by former Maryland GovernorGeorge Howardand forced to sell butter, but later escaped to freedom. An advertisement for the sale of Rosetta was featured in theBaltimore Sunin March, 1838.
There are many shops featuring deli sandwiches, fried chicken, Chinese food, pizza, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, peanuts, and authentic ethnic foods - as well as a historic shoe repair stand and florist.Lexington Market is a popular lunch spot for working Baltimoreans as well as students at the nearbyUniversity of Maryland, Baltimorecampus and theUniversity of Baltimore.
Perhaps the best-known eatery at Lexington Market isFaidley's Seafood, known for itscrabcakesand featured in 2012 on the "Mid-Atlantic" episode of theTravel Channelshow,Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America. Market Bakery sells "Berger Cookies", shortbread cookies topped with fudge that are a Baltimore favorite.
Lexington Market is viewed by many as a place that shows the personality of the "real" Baltimore, as opposed to the more generic and tourist-oriented attractions found at the nearbyInner Harbor.Lexington Market takes part in the festivities leading up to thePreakness Stakeshorse race by hosting the Preakness Crab Derby, where local business leaders and celebrities race the crustaceans on the arcade stage to raise money for charity.
Baltimore City Papernamed Lexington Market the "Best Way to Introduce Outsiders to Baltimore" in 2001and the "Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors" in 2006.In 2022, the Market was included on aFood & Winelist of the best food experiences in Baltimore.
From time to time, the Lexington Market's east building hostedjazzbands during the lunch hour on Fridays and Saturdays. Particularly during the Christmas season, it has also hosted presentations by nearby public elementary and middle schools and private schools, such asWest Cold Spring Lane's Baltimore Jr. Academy.
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