Bay View Asylum receipt collection

The Bay View Asylum was founded in 1773 as the Baltimore City and County Almshouse for the poor of both Baltimore City and County. It was situated about a half mile outside of the young city on the western outskirts and took in those who needed work, shelter, and health care. The almshouse held men and women, including African-Americans, and prisoners convicted of vagrancy. Expansion of the city forced the facility to move. An estate called “Calverton,” the former house of banker Dennis A. Smith, was purchased and renovated in 1820. The estate housed the institution for almost 50 years until another move became necessary.

In 1866, the almshouse became Bay View Asylum and moved to the southeastern edge of the city on what is now Eastern Avenue. The property's proximity to and view of the Chesapeake Bay inspired its new moniker. The asylum continued its care of the poor and mentally ill. Bay View admitted psychiatric patients until the 1930s, but also expanded its scope of care as the Baltimore City Hospitals. In 1982, Baltimore City Hospitals merged with Johns Hopkins Hospital to become the Bayview Medical Center.