Inner Harbor Lofts- Historical Marker

Baltimore's garment industry has a long history. In 1820, needle trades began in the city; however, it did not gain national significance until the Civil War. During the war, men's clothing sizes became standardized due to the production of military uniforms. Eventually, Baltimore became known for habadashery. The Schreters were prominent tie manufacturers and other companies, such as L. Grief and Brothers, Katzenberg Brothers, and the Beehler Umbrella Company focused on men's clothing and accessories.

Interestingly, employment at mills led to women from these rural areas becoming involved with the reform movements of the antebellum era, such as the labor protests. Circa 1850, female mill workers formed the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association, calling for restrictions concerning hours of labor. Some women involved in these movements also began opposing Black slavery as they viewed it similarly to wage slavery. Also, some of these women began participating in women's rights conventions following the first one held in Seneca Falls, New York in July 1848. The variety of reforms that mill women participated in, including anti-slavery, moral reform, peace, labor reform, prison reform, and women's rights, is a testament to the opportunity working outside of the home granted women in terms of participating in broader social reform.