Jonestown | |
|---|---|
 Flag House on Pratt Street | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| City | Baltimore |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| ZIP code | 21202 |
| Area code | 410, 443, and 667 |
Jonestown is aneighborhood in the southeastern district ofBaltimore. Established in 1732, three years after Baltimore was incorporated in 1729, it is one of the oldest places in the city. The boundaries of Jonestown have fluctuated over the years, and currently, they are defined by the north side ofPratt Street, the west side ofCentral Avenue, the east side ofFallsway, and the south side ofOrleans Street. The district is a mix of industrial, commercial, and residential.
Established in the Colonial era as "Jones Town", it was founded by David Jones, a Welsh miller who owned agristmill and the surrounding land. In 1745, Jones's Town officially merged with the adjacent Baltimore Town, forming the basis for the modern city of Baltimore. The area is often referred to as being part of "Old Town". Throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries, Jonestown was the destination for a large population of German immigrants. They established institutions in the area, including theZion Lutheran Church. Beginning in the mid-19th century, Jonestown became the heart of Baltimore's Jewish community. This is marked by the construction of theLloyd Street Synagogue in 1845, the third-oldest synagogue in the United States. The neighborhood was a first home for thousands of Jewish immigrants, initially from Germany and later from Eastern Europe. Today theJewish Museum of Maryland is located here, representing not only Baltimore but the entire state.[1][2][3][4]
In the last half of the 20th century, Jonestown shifted, like much of East and West Baltimore, into a predominantlyAfrican-American neighborhood. In the second half of the 20th century, public housing replaced many formerrowhouses and townhouses. During the 21st century, modern housing began replacing older public housing.
Indicative of its age, Jonestown is home to some of Baltimore's oldest religious buildings. These include theOld Town Friends' Meetinghouse, the oldest religious building in Baltimore;St. Vincent de Paul Church, the city's oldest Catholic parish in continuous use; and theLloyd Street Synagogue, the oldest in the city and the third-oldest synagogue in the country. It is also home to several Baltimore City landmarks, such as the central post office, theFlag House, theReginald F. Lewis Museum, theCarroll Mansion, thePhoenix Shot Tower, TheHouse at 9 North Front Street, the formerHendler Creamery factory (1892-2024), andMcKim's School.
TheUnited States Postal Service operates the Baltimore Main Post Office at 900East Fayette Street.
39°17′18″N76°36′4″W / 39.28833°N 76.60111°W /39.28833; -76.60111