Historic Crane Lights Up the Sky!

Built in 1942 and dubbed a “whirley crane” for its ability to turn 360 degrees, this Clyde Model 17 DE 90 crane was instrumental in Bethlehem Steel’s prolific World War II shipbuilding effort.

Thanks to the generosity of so many community members, more than $700,000 was raised to restore and repaint this inspiring symbol of Baltimore’s proud industrial heritage and its promising future. Click here to see the full list of donors.

Now a beautiful vibrant green, the BMI’s crane lights up the South Baltimore skyline thanks to a generous in-kind donation from Freestate Electric Companies, and an innovative plan from Image Engineering. This programmable, state-of-the art LED lighting system will reinvent the crane nightly to celebrate everything from seasonal events and Baltimore’s hometown teams to community heroes and neighborhood festivals. Learn about the crane’s history and its dramatic restoration.

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