Oliver, Baltimore
Encyclopedia
Oliver is a neighborhood in the Eastern district of Baltimore
, Maryland
. Its boundaries are the south side of North Avenue, the east side of Ensor Street, the west side of Broadway, and the north side of Biddle Street. The neighborhood lies east of the historic Greenmount Cemetery
. Oliver in the last century has experienced economic depression, housing abandonment, crime, and racial rioting
. Its residents are largely lower income African American
s. The neighborhood was a filming location for the Baltimore based HBO drama The Wire
, and was the home of the Baltimore chapter of the Black Panther Party
. Neighborhood attractions include the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
.
Though the area was once considered middle-class, it has in the last century experienced economic depression and housing abandonment. As of 2000, 25.0% of all housing units were vacant.
Several organizations are attempting to revitalize the area, including the Oliver Community Association and the Oliver Economic Development Corporation.
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Its boundaries are the south side of North Avenue, the east side of Ensor Street, the west side of Broadway, and the north side of Biddle Street. The neighborhood lies east of the historic Greenmount Cemetery
Greenmount Cemetery
Green Mount Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established on March 15, 1838, and dedicated on July 13, 1839, it is noted for the large number of historical figures interred in its grounds as well as a large number of prominent Baltimore-area families...
. Oliver in the last century has experienced economic depression, housing abandonment, crime, and racial rioting
Baltimore riot of 1968
The Baltimore Riot of 1968 began two days after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Rioting broke out in 125 cities across the United States, and spread to the city of Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, April 6. The Governor of Maryland, Spiro T...
. Its residents are largely lower income African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
s. The neighborhood was a filming location for the Baltimore based HBO drama The Wire
The Wire (TV series)
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
, and was the home of the Baltimore chapter of the Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
. Neighborhood attractions include the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Great Blacks in Wax Museum
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland featuring prominent African-American historical figures. It was established in 1983. -About:...
.
Demographics
According to the 2000 census, the neighborhood had a total population of 5,475 people; 98.4% African-American, 0.6% White, 0.3% Asian, and 0.7% from some other or multiple ethnicities.Though the area was once considered middle-class, it has in the last century experienced economic depression and housing abandonment. As of 2000, 25.0% of all housing units were vacant.
Several organizations are attempting to revitalize the area, including the Oliver Community Association and the Oliver Economic Development Corporation.