South Baltimoreans from the old Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhood hold their community in high esteem. It is a historically African-American part of the city, revered by those who grew up there in its heyday. Some moved away. Others stayed. And parts got torn down for an interstate highway.

I got to talking to one its proudest sons, Thomas D. Gillard, who is a 63-year-old retired Baltimore County substitute teacher. He was born at 900 Bevan St. and later lived in Hanover. Soon we were discussing little-known thoroughfares such as Peach, Plum, Olive, Hammerbacher, Race, Creek and Winter.

One of the strangest bridges in Baltimore was an iron trestle that carried pedestrians and auto traffic over the Camden rail yards.

"The mystery bridge was the Lee Street Bridge," he said. "It had a curve in the middle of it and people told tall tales that a little troll lived under it."

Because the neighborhood was so close to downtown, most of its residents walked to their destinations. There was also the No. 30 trackless trolley and later a bus.

We spoke of the churches - Ebenezer AME, St. Monica's Catholic, Jones Tabernacle Baptist, John Wesley Methodist and Mount Moriah Baptist and Leadenhall Baptist. The schools: Daniel A. Payne Elementary, Harvey Johnson Junior High and St. Monica's Parochial.

The neighborhood had its own employers: J.E. Smith box factory, Gatch Wire Goods, Hold-Tight rubber heels, Phoenix clothing, Maryland Biscuit, Rube Shofer's tires, Henschen Brothers cigar box makers, George Waldkoening cigar makers, Virginia barrel, the Crescent laundry, Aetna iron and metal - and let's not forget the mighty B&O; and the old Western Maryland Railway at Port Covington.

"It was a small community where we all cared for one another," Gillard said. "We never saw anyone go hungry. If one ate, we all ate."

The neighborhood had its social centers: Jack's Bar, St. Monica's Boy Scout troop, Veney's Pool Room, the Goldfield Theatre, and the Spirits of the Chesapeake Elks Lodge.

There were corner stores: Donaldson Rainshaw's at 901 Leadenhall St., with its jukebox and penny candy. There was also a store at 900 Hanover, known in the neighborhood as Mr. Lee's and after it changed hands, became Miss B's, and Miss Emily's.

I often think of one of its most memorable citizens, Mildred Moon, who was one of the most articulate and down-to-earth neighborhood activists I'd ever covered. She was so earnest and honest that city officials were easily won over by her contention that if the Inner Harbor was being rebuilt, her little neighborhood deserved a fair share of the renewal as well. She got it.

"Thank God for bringing to my mind the Rev. Arthur E. Jones Jr.," said Gillard, who moved away from the old neighborhood in 1970. "He is 83 years old and is still active. Reverend Jones is a musician and composer. I have a copy of the song that he wrote, 'I'll Reach My Home Someday.'"

jacques.kelly@baltsun.com