BCPL Grade Four Packet - Interesting Places in Baltimore County page.
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Grade Four Packet - Interesting Places in Baltimore County
The Old County Courthouse
Towson
Photograph: Image of the Old Baltimore County Courthouse
Photograph: Image of the informational sign about the Old Baltimore County Courthouse
Designed by
Dixon, Balbirnie, and Dixon, the Courthouse was built between 1854 and 1856 on
land donated by Dr. Grafton Bosley. This Greek Revival building was constructed
with local limestone and granite. Additions were made in 1910 and 1958.
Courtroom No. 5, the County's first courtroom, has been restored.
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Hampton Mansion
Towson
Photograph: Image of Hampton Mansion
Hampton
was built between 1783 and 1790 by Colonel Charles Ridgely in the center of
1500 acres. Captain Ridgely died six months after completing the house, and
left it to his nephew. Charles Carnan, who then took Ridgely as his last name.
This man became known as General Ridgely and served as the Governor of
Maryland between 1816 and 1819. This Georgian mansion is a National Historic
Site.
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Old County Jail
Towson
Photograph: Image of the Old Baltimore County Jail
Designed by Dixon
and Dixon, this Italianate structure was built in 1855 on land donated by
Dr. Grafton Bosley. The south wing contains the iron cage cell blocks and
an entrance to the courtyard where the gallows stood.
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Ballestone Mansion
Essex
Photograph: Image of Ballestone Mansion
Located at
the Rocky Point Golf Club in Essex, the mansion is named after William Ball, who
owned the property in the 1600s, and was the great-great grandfather of George
Washington.
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George Washington
Traveled Here!
Rosedale
Photograph: Image of a sign which says that George Washington traveled this road
Rosedale, a community northeast of the city of Baltimore, was a farming
community from the time of the first settlers until suburban development
began after World War II. US Route 40, which runs through the community,
carried George Washington to New York in 1789 where he was inaugurated our
first president.
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Benjamin Banneker Historical
Park
and Museum
Historic Oella
Photograph: Image of the Benjamin Banneker Museum
This museum and park pays
tribute to the African-American astronomical, mathematical, and agricultural
pioneer Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) who lived most of his life in a one room
log home in Southern Baltimore County. The museum is aimed at introducing
visitors to the story of Banneker, often dubbed the first African-American man
of science, and 18th century lifestyles.
The museum exhibit currently
displays information about the American Indians who were first prevalent in this
region of the country and continues on to information about Banneker. Currently
some excavated artifacts are on display and plans are in the works to expand the
facility with more exhibits and possible archeological educational programs.
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English Consul Mansion
Baltimore Highlands
Photograph: Image of the English Consul Mansion
In the area known as Baltimore
Highlands is a legendary mansion called English Consul. The land and house were
owned by William Dawson, the first English Consul to Maryland. One legend claims
that Dawson had a brother who was transported from England to America in
disgrace. Each year he was to receive a whip lashing as punishment for the crime
he had committed. This took place on the English Consul estate. Another legend
has it that the mansion was a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil
War. In 1909 a developer purchased the estate. It was eventually divided into
the areas known as Baltimore Highlands, Rosemont, Friendship Gardens and the
small section still called English Consul.
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Jacob Seddon House
East Joppa Road, Perry Hall
Photograph: Image of the Jacob Seddon House in Perry Hall
This photograph of the Jacob Seddon house on East
Joppa Road presents one of the oldest houses in Perry Hall. Presently occupied
by the Honeygo Child Development Center, no one knows how old this structure is,
but its architecture dates back to before the Civil War.
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Summit Mansion
Catonsville
Photograph: Image of Summit Mansion
Wealthy Baltimorean families came to Catonsville
to escape the summer heat of the city by building large estates in the community
for use as summer homes. One of the more well-known mansions that was built in Catonsville was "The Summit."
"The Summit" is still standing today as an apartment house, south of Frederick
Road. Because of the presence of these seasonal residents, new employment
opportunities were generated for both white and black working-class residents,
further ensuring community stability and growth.
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Aigburth Vale
Towson
Photograph: Image of Aigurth Vale
John E. Owens, a famous British
comedian, engaged the services of Niernsee and Neilson to create this Second
Empire mansion around 1868. Later his estate was broken into lots and became one
of the oldest planned communities in Baltimore County. Aigburth Vale is on the
Baltimore County Landmarks List.
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Prospect Hill Cemetery
Towson
Photograph: Image of headstones at the Prospect Hill
Cemetery in Towson
A private, nondenominational
cemetery, it is the resting place for many members of Towson's leading families
who played active roles in the growth of Towson. It is open to the public. It is
on the County Landmarks List.
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This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on
26 August 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on
26 August 2008.
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