40 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD, USA

National Register of Historic Places - U.S. Custom House

Statement of Significant:

The United States Custom House in Baltimore is an exceptionally distinguish- ed example of Beaux Arts architecture, that is, a style which reflected the basic tenets of the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, the model for the development and direction of architectural schools throughout the United States in the 19th and early 20th century. The Beaux Arts manner emphasizes a highly ordered, formal plan, axial symmetry, monumentality and classicistic (Roman and Renaissance) special relationships and details. Noteworthy for its hand- some design, suave proportions, superb workmanship, and famous ceiling painting, the Baltimore Custom House was built from 1903 through late 1907 from plans by Hornblower and Marshall, a Washington, D. C. firm composed of Joseph C. Hornblower (1848-1908) and John Rush Marshall (1851-1927). Horn- blower matriculated from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1871. Both men were Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. The Custom House is not only a particularly refined and subtly restrained design, it is also a fine exemplar of the integral blending of art and architecture that flourished briefly in America around the turn of the century. The Call Room ceiling by Francis Davis Millet (1846-1912) is generally acknowledged to be the masterpiece of that important American artist. Millet's decorative pro- gram for the Call Room represents not only an aesthetic success of major significance in the history of American mural painting but also a carefully researched and accurately depicted visual history of the Evolution of Navigation. Ironically, Millet, who passionately loved ships, perished in the Titanic disaster in 1912. The Custom House is unaltered, except for the enclosure of the majestic staircases and lobby well, and magnificently illustrates the finest workmanship and building materials of its era. It stands on the site of Latrobe's earlier Custom House and withstood the ravages of the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. It was designated Historic by Commissioner of Customs Myles J. Ambrose on January 18, 1972. From December 2, 1907 until 1953 it served as the Custom House. Since that time Selective Service personnel have occupied the building.