In the early twentieth century, Baltimore experienced a period of growth fueled by the development of the planned communities of Roland Park, Guilford and Homeland. Home buyers in these north Baltimore communities were looking for visible ways to express their taste; Laurence Hall Fowler's ability to design in a number of traditional American styles, and to also work on interior design appealed to a number of clients.

The years immediately following the first world war saw the first wave of destruction of nineteenth century buildings to make way for the new.  Fowler's office was located in Mount Vernon (347 North Charles Street), which gave him the chance to document the destruction.  The photographs found in our database form a visual history of the losses.