In the aftermath of the catastrophic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, the community of Turner Station is grappling with uncertainty. The bridge, a vital link for this historically Black neighborhood, was destroyed in seconds on March 26 when a container ship lost control and hit one of its support piers, killing six construction workers.
Turner Station’s history is rooted in its founding as a community for Black steelworkers during segregation. Originally, it flourished as part of the shipbuilding industry that thrived in Baltimore during WWI and WWII, with its residents building a self-sustained, prosperous community. In its prime, the neighborhood had businesses, recreational spaces, and a thriving population of around 9,000. However, population decline set in by the 1950s as rezoning for industrial use led to the demolition of housing, and manufacturing jobs diminished. The closure of the Bethlehem Steel plant in 2012 further worsened the situation, causing younger generations to leave in search of better opportunities.
