Historic Roland Park

The Durable Slate Company proudly serves Roland Park, Baltimore, Maryland, and surrounding areas. Our specialties include slate roofing, clay tile roofing, and copper roofing. We also work with copper gutters and custom copper ornamentation.

As a company, we adhere to our own philosophy, called The Durable Way. Simply, this means integrity in all things, superior roofing service, and a respect for time-honored tradition and methods.

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Roland Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a picturesque and historic neighborhood that has been home to many notable figures over the years. Its beautiful architecture, lush parks, and unique culture have made it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. In this article, we will take a closer look at Roland Park's rich history, complex culture, and interesting architecture.

Roland Park was founded in 1891 by the Roland Park Company, a group of investors who wanted to create a suburban oasis in Baltimore. They hired Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the son of the famous landscape architect, to design the neighborhood's layout and park system. The result was a community that combined the best of city living with the tranquility of the countryside.

Over the years, Roland Park has been home to many notable figures, including authors F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. The neighborhood was also a hub of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, with local activists staging sit-ins and protests to demand equal rights for all.

Roland Park's culture is as diverse and vibrant as its history. The neighborhood is home to a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, giving it a dynamic energy that is hard to find elsewhere.

One of the defining features of Roland Park is its park system. The neighborhood boasts six parks, including the iconic Roland Park Water Tower and the sprawling Wyman Park Dell. These parks are popular gathering spots for residents, who enjoy picnics, yoga classes, and community events. The neighborhood is also home to several galleries, theaters, and music venues, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's performance space at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Roland Park is home to several interesting buildings with unique histories and architecture. Here are a few examples:

1. The Roland Park Water Tower - located in the center of the neighborhood's park system, the Roland Park Water Tower is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It was designed by the firm of J. Hubert Wheeler and constructed in 1904. The tower was originally used to regulate water pressure in the neighborhood, but is now purely decorative.

2. The Roland Park Library - located at 5108 Roland Avenue, the Roland Park Library was built in 1914 and designed by Edward L. Palmer. The building is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture, with its Greek columns and pedimented entrance. Today, the library is a beloved community resource that offers books, classes, and events for all ages.

3. The Village of Cross Keys - located just outside of Roland Park, the Village of Cross Keys is a mixed-use development that was built in the 1960s. It was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone and features a unique blend of modernist and classical styles. The village includes a variety of shops, restaurants, and residential buildings, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

4. The Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church - located at 1316 Park Avenue, the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church was designed by the firm of Van Brunt & Howe and completed in 1870. The building is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, with its pointed arches, stained glass windows, and intricate stonework. The church has played an important role in the community over the years, hosting concerts, community events, and social justice initiatives.

These buildings, along with many others in the neighborhood, are testaments to Roland Park's rich history and architectural diversity. Whether you're a fan of classical, modernist, or Gothic styles, there is something for everyone to appreciate in this vibrant community.

Roland Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a neighborhood with a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the late 19th century. Founded in 1891 by the Roland Park Company, a group of investors who wanted to create a suburban oasis in Baltimore, the neighborhood was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the son of the famous landscape architect. Olmsted's plan for Roland Park was to create a community that combined the best of city living with the tranquility of the countryside.

From the beginning, Roland Park was a popular destination for Baltimore's elite, who were drawn to its spacious homes, tree-lined streets, and lush parks. Many of the neighborhood's early residents were industrialists, lawyers, and politicians who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Among them were prominent figures such as A.S. Abell, the founder of the Baltimore Sun, and William Osler, a renowned physician and medical educator.

Over the years, Roland Park has been home to many notable figures, including authors F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, lived in the neighborhood for several years in the early 1930s, and the area served as inspiration for his novel "Tender Is the Night." Stein, meanwhile, spent part of her childhood in Roland Park and later wrote about her experiences in her memoir "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas."

Roland Park has also played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. In the 1960s, local activists staged sit-ins and protests to demand equal rights for all. One of the most notable events was the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in which many Roland Park residents participated.

Today, Roland Park is a diverse and vibrant community that continues to attract residents from all walks of life. The neighborhood's park system, which includes six parks, remains a popular gathering spot for residents, who enjoy picnics, yoga classes, and community events. The parks are also home to several notable landmarks, including the Roland Park Water Tower and the sprawling Wyman Park Dell.

One of the defining features of Roland Park is its architecture. The neighborhood boasts a mix of styles, ranging from Victorian-era mansions to modernist townhouses. One of the most distinctive features of the neighborhood's buildings is its use of slate roof material. Slate roofs have been popular in Roland Park since the neighborhood's inception, and for good reason. Slate is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand the harsh weather conditions that Baltimore experiences. Additionally, slate roofs are visually striking, giving the neighborhood's buildings a unique and elegant look.

Over the years, Roland Park's architects and builders have found innovative ways to use slate roofs to enhance the neighborhood's architecture. One such example is the use of slate tiles to create intricate patterns and designs on roofs, adding an extra layer of visual interest to the buildings. Another example is the use of colored slate tiles to create a multicolored effect on roofs. This technique can be seen on many of Roland Park's historic buildings, giving them a playful and whimsical feel.

In recent years, Roland Park has seen a surge in development, with several new residential buildings and commercial spaces popping up in the neighborhood. Despite this growth, however, the neighborhood has managed to maintain its unique character and charm. Whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Roland Park is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Roland Park is renowned for its unique and elegant architecture. Unsurprisingly, a defining feature of Roland Park's buildings is its use of slate, which has been a popular choice for roofing since the neighborhood's inception in the late 19th century.

Slate is a metamorphic rock that is formed from shale, clay, or volcanic ash. It is a durable and long-lasting material that has been used for roofing for centuries. In Roland Park, slate was chosen as the roofing material of choice for several reasons. Firstly, it is a visually striking material that adds an extra layer of elegance and sophistication to the neighborhood's buildings. Additionally, slate is highly resistant to weathering and can withstand the harsh weather conditions that Baltimore experiences, making it an ideal choice for roofing.

Architects and builders in Roland Park have found creative ways to use slate to enhance the neighborhood's architecture. One such example is the use of slate tiles to create intricate patterns and designs on roofs, adding an extra layer of visual interest to the buildings. These designs can range from simple geometric shapes to more intricate patterns, such as those found on the roof of the Roland Park Presbyterian Church.

Another example of Roland Park's novel use of slate is the use of colored slate tiles to create a multicolored effect on roofs. This technique can be seen on many of the neighborhood's historic buildings, including the Roland Park Library and the Roland Park Country School. The use of colored slate tiles gives these buildings a playful and whimsical feel and adds to the unique character of the neighborhood.

In addition to slate roofs, Roland Park's buildings feature other historic roofing types, including clay tile and copper. Clay tile roofs are a popular choice for Spanish and Mediterranean-style buildings and can be seen on several homes in Roland Park. Copper roofs, meanwhile, were popular in the early 20th century and can be seen on many of the neighborhood's commercial buildings, such as the Roland Park Shopping Center.

Despite the popularity of other roofing types, slate remains a hallmark of Roland Park's architecture. The neighborhood's use of slate roofs has not only contributed to its indelible character but has also served a practical purpose: Slate roofs are long-lasting and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for homeowners and commercial property owners alike.

In recent years, Roland Park has seen a surge in development, with several new residential buildings and commercial spaces popping up in the neighborhood. While these buildings may not feature slate roofs, they are still designed to complement the neighborhood's unique architectural style. Roland Park's continued use of historic roofing types such as slate, clay tile, and copper is a testament to the neighborhood's rich architectural heritage.

In conclusion, Roland Park's use of slate material in its buildings, particularly in its roofs, is a defining feature of the neighborhood's unique architectural style. The innovative use of slate to create intricate patterns and multicolored effects has added an extra layer of elegance and sophistication to the buildings. As Roland Park continues to evolve and grow, its commitment to preserving its architectural heritage and use of historic roofing types will undoubtedly continue to be a hallmark of the neighborhood's unique character.

At The Durable Slate Company, we are proud to offer our world-renowned slate roof repair, installation, and restoration services to customers around the globe. Our humble beginnings as a small slate roofing company in Columbus, Ohio, have grown into a company with offices in Ohio and Maryland, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, OH, and Savage, MD. We credit our success to our exceptional customer service and mastery of historic repair methods.

Our extensive repair experience and history allow us to handle any slate roof repair or installation, no matter the size or type of building. We have a large stock of reclaimed slate in America, which allows us to match most original slate for a seamless repair or full roof replacement. Whether your slate roof has been damaged by fire, wind, storm, or other forces of nature, or simply requires maintenance, you can trust The Durable Slate Company to handle all of your slate roof repair needs.

Reclaimed slate is also great for new installations, offering a beautifully aged and classic look without having to wait a century. If an antique roof's slate shingles are in good condition, it's often possible to install new underlayment and copper flashing, preserving the original slate and matching damaged tiles from our reclaimed slate stores.

We provide a thorough evaluation by a professional at no additional cost to you, to determine the best course of action for your slate roof.

For new installations, we only use the highest quality, time-tested slates from the quarries of the Vermont Slate Valley, Virginia Buckingham, Southeastern Canada, Wales, and select European quarries. 

Proper installation is crucial, including expert flashing design and installation, correct soldering, necessary underlayments, and proper slate laying and fastening. These factors all contribute to a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing roof that should last for 100 years or longer.

Cutting corners on any of these essential factors can shorten the lifespan of a slate roof from a century to just a few years. We have replaced numerous slate roofs that were less than 10 years old due to neglecting crucial craftsmanship.

While many imported slates may look beautiful, they are often of poor quality and can start rusting and falling apart within just a few years of installation. At The Durable Slate Company, we know that high-quality slate is essential for a long-lasting, beautiful roof.