After the death Martin Luther King, Baltimore City broke out into a rage of unnecessary looting and fire bombing. Black People (mainly the youth) began destroying the neighborhood and stores that they patronized days before. In our area down in Flag House Projects the tenants did not start disobeying the curfew until Monday April 8, 1968. Their target was the 1000 of Lombard Street (Jew Town). They looted Smelkinson's Dairy, Jakes, Jacks Attman's Deli, The Neighborhood Drug Store & The Record Shop. I remember my siblings and I looking around at the damages that were done and I will admit that I grabbed hold of a few albums and watches that were tossed on the side walks and all over Lombard Street. Merchandise was thrown everywhere and chickens were running a mock all over the street it was pure mayhem. Later on that evening they set Smelkinson's on fire, Jakes & Jacks Deli went up in flames as well, the fireman tried to put the fire out, but there was a sniper coming from one of the highrise buildings shooting at the fireman. I remember the State Troopers going door to door looking for the snipers. It was a crazy era for Baltimore City.
Courtesy Of Baltimore City Police Department (1000 block of Lombard Street)
Courtesy of the News American Newspaper
Courtesy of the News American Newspaper (Whitelock Street)
After all of that mess was cleared I notice the changes in the city. In my area after the smoke was cleared Jacks Deli, Jakes Cornbeef, Gottliebs and Smelkinson's Dairy were burned to the ground. Leaving a large empty lot that is now being used as a parking lot. Attman's Deli remodeled and so did Weiss Deli (my favorite). It was always strange to me but Pastore's & Tony's (Italian merchants) were not disturbed doing the two nights of looting. Most of the damage took place in other areas of the city. Most of the jewish people residing around Mondawmin Mall migrated farther north up the Reistertown/Park Heights corridor of the city. Leaving ample opportunities for middle class blacks to move into the community. The stores on Whitelock never returned, until recently they did not see any revitalization projects.
It was good to welcome in the 1970's, my oldest sister gave birth to a boy, James J. I was an aunt now and our family was looking a little different now.
The story continues.........
After all of that mess was cleared I notice the changes in the city. In my area after the smoke was cleared Jacks Deli, Jakes Cornbeef, Gottliebs and Smelkinson's Dairy were burned to the ground. Leaving a large empty lot that is now being used as a parking lot. Attman's Deli remodeled and so did Weiss Deli (my favorite). It was always strange to me but Pastore's & Tony's (Italian merchants) were not disturbed doing the two nights of looting. Most of the damage took place in other areas of the city. Most of the jewish people residing around Mondawmin Mall migrated farther north up the Reistertown/Park Heights corridor of the city. Leaving ample opportunities for middle class blacks to move into the community. The stores on Whitelock never returned, until recently they did not see any revitalization projects.
It was good to welcome in the 1970's, my oldest sister gave birth to a boy, James J. I was an aunt now and our family was looking a little different now.
The story continues.........
