Portion of 8th Street to be named for Garnet Douglass Baltimore

Troy, N.Y. — Garnet Douglass Baltimore, a distinguished civil engineer and landscape designer, who was the first African-American to earn a bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will be celebrated on Sept. 8, when the city of Troy ceremonially renames a portion of 8th Street in his honor.

“Garnet Baltimore left his mark on this beautiful city and state in so many ways, through the parks, cemeteries, canals, and railroads he had a hand in building. Though most may have forgotten who brought them these magnificent feats of design and engineering, many to this day enjoy the benefits of his work," President Jackson said. "I applaud Mayor Tutunjian, Troy City Council President Marge DerGuharian, and others in our community who have led the effort to honor Garnet Baltimore's legacy."

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on the corner of 8th Street and Federal Street, and will include speeches from Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, Troy City Council president Marge DerGuharian, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson, local dignitaries, and Baltimore’s family members.

“By all accounts, Garnet Douglass Baltimore was a man of vision who loved the City of Troy,” Tutunjian said. “For too long his remarkable successes have been overlooked by so many residents of this area. He is responsible for one of the great treasures in the City of Troy and should be an inspiration to many people. The story of his legacy will begin to be told with this great event.”

A civil engineer from the Rensselaer Class of 1881, Baltimore designed and engineered Troy’s Prospect Park, which offered a 25-mile view of the Hudson Valley. Today — more than a century after its conception — Prospect Park is still used by members of the Troy community. Baltimore also helped design the Oakwood Cemetery.

Baltimore also lent his talents and expertise beyond Troy, including supervising the extension of the “mud lock” on the Oswego Canal, acting as assistant engineer and surveyor on the Erie Canal, and leading a preliminary survey party for the 56-mile Granville & Rutland Railroad.

An active alumnus of Rensselaer, Baltimore served as secretary of the Alumni Association’s 50-Year Club until his death in 1946. His remarkable achievements and contributions to society inspired Rensselaer to sponsor the annual Garnet Baltimore Lecture Series in his honor, a series that presents distinguished African-American speakers.

On Sept. 9, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will induct Garnett Douglass Baltimore, along with three other alumni, into its Alumni Hall of Fame.

About the Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame
In 1995, the Rensselaer Alumni Association established its Alumni Hall of Fame to preserve and celebrate the long and exceptional heritage of Rensselaer's distinguished graduates. This year's inductees to the Alumni Hall of Fame bring the total number of members to 53. Since its founding in 1824, Rensselaer has graduated alumni whose contributions to society — from 19th century railroad and bridge builders to today's information technology entrepreneurs — have changed the world. For more information, visit the Hall of Fame at http://www.rpi.edu/about/hof/.

Contact: Amber Cleveland
Phone: (518) 276-2146
E-mail: clevea@rpi.edu