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Baltimore County History

 

Baltimore County Executives
 
Service Years Executive Party
1956-1958 Michael J. Birmingham D
1958-1962 Christian H. Kahl D
1962-1966 Spiro T. Agnew R
1966-1974 Dale Anderson D
1974 Frederick L. Dewberry
(Acting County Executive)		 D
1974-1978 Theodore G. Venetoulis D
1978-1986 Donald P. Hutchinson D
1986-1990 Dennis F. Rasmussen D
1990-1994 Roger B. Hayden R
1994-2002 C. A. (Dutch) Ruppersberger III D
2002- James T. Smith D

D=Democrat R=Republican.

Baltimore County was governed by County Commissioners before 1956.

Sources for County Executive information:

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Baltimore County Symbols

Baltimore County Flag Picture and history. County Council site
Baltimore County Seal Picture and History. County Council site.
Baltimore County Seal Newsletter of the Maryland State Archives provides seal history
Large color picture of the Baltimore County Seal Also includes government information

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 Community History
BCPL is pleased to provide these area histories by local contributors. However, the information has not been verified by BCPL for accuracy or omissions.

Eastern Region

Battle of North Point from the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum
Battle of North Point From the Dundalk Eagle
Battle of North Point in the War of 1812
Bethlehem Steel Boom years and tough times. From the Dundalk Eagle
Dundalk Timeline, and namesake. From the Dundalk Eagle
Dundalk...Did You Know? Facts about Dundalk's History
Fort Holabird Once a busy military base where the jeep was developed. From the Dundalk Eagle
History of Essex and Middle River
History of Loch Raven Village
History of Rosedale
History of White Marsh One of the newer of Baltimore County communities
Sparrows Point Bethlehem Steel community. Note also the "Red Rocket" streetcar line, Bragg school, Penwood Park. From the Dundalk Eagle

Central Region

Carney History including 'Hamburger Junction'
Glen Ellen A historian's essay on the ruined local mansion
History of Anneslie - Early planned community near Towson
History Time Line of Towson created by the staff of the Towson Library
Lutherville, Maryland Begun in 1852 on land originally part of the Ridgely Estate
Parkville Area History First surveyed in 1735
Perry Hall About the community, from the Perry Hall Improvement Association
Perry Hall Area History From early settlement to contemporary times
Perry Hall Brief History From the Perry Hall Improvement Association
Perry Hall Mansion From the Greater Perry Hall Community Alliance
History of the Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area
Sanders' Corner began as a blacksmith shop in 1880's, it also housed the Loch Raven post office
West Towson David A. Loizeaux's A Brief History of West Towson

Western Region

Arbutus Area Lansdowne, Relay, Farm School, Arbutus Oak
Brief History of Randallstown
Castle Thunder Catonsville
Catonsville History provided by CatonsvilleWeb
Fire and Faith: The Catonsville Nine File from the Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage project
Granite Area History from Granite Historical Society
Granite National Historic District Quarrying community; from Granite Historical Society
Lansdowne - A railroad town
Relay The Thomas Viaduct, Why the name Relay?
Relay and Vicinity - Personal recollections of a local resident in 1911
Reister's Town Reister family, founding of Reisterstown, 1st church and school
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area history, by Claudia J. Floyd

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General History

Baltimore County This short history includes a color picture of the Baltimore County Seal
Baltimore County History Brief (1650-1854)
Bibliography of Baltimore County History   Extensive listing of historic publications available regionally Compiled by the Baltimore County Department of Planning.

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 Historical Associations in Baltimore County

More complete information may be found on these organizations by searching our
BCPL Community Information Database

Historical Society of Baltimore County
Baltimore County Historical Trust, Inc.
Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission
Catonsville Historical Society
Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society, Inc.
Granite Historical Society
Heritage Association of Greater Dundalk, Inc.
Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, Inc.
Historic Glyndon, Inc.

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Home Rule Charter for Baltimore County Established

"In November, 1954, the voters elected a Charter Board to draw up a proposed Home Rule Charter for Baltimore County. The Charter recommended by that body was approved by the electorate on Nov. 6, 1956.

In a technical sense, the new Charter became effective on December 6, 1956, the thirtieth day following its adoption. The special election for the first County Councilmen was not held until Jan. 23, 1957, and their terms of office did not commence until Jan.28 of that same year. During the interim period the incumbent Board of County Commissioners constituted the County Council, and when the newly-elected members of the Council took office, the Board of County Commissioners in Baltimore County ceased to exist."

excerpted from "Baltimore County and its Suburban Communities", compiled by W. S. Hamill, Director, Maryland Development Bureau, Baltimore Association of Commerce, in the Introduction, p. XXII of Polk's Baltimore Suburban (Maryland) Directory 1957.

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Local History Materials at the Baltimore County Public Library

Special Collections

Legacy Web
Search or browse a growing archive of annotated, digitized photographs of Baltimore County as well as Baltimore Magazine from the early years. All aspects of Baltimore County life for the last 130 years are contained in BCPL's photo archives, estimated to hold at least 15,500 images. Included are most aspects of rural living including photographs of people, building sites and events in the Baltimore County area. These photographs can be used for presentations, displays and publications and also make fine additions to personal collections. Prints are available for sale.

Local History and Maryland Collection

Whether delving into history, locating government information, answering school assignment questions, or just browsing for photographic albums, and more, this collection includes a broad spectrum of material. All libraries maintain collections.
The Arbutus Library, the Catonsville Library, the Reisterstown Library and the Towson Library maintain historical archives on the local communities they serve. The historical information consists of rare and out-of-print books, newspaper clippings, and historical prints of local sites. These materials are non-circulating and may be accessible by appointment only; please call the branch to determine whether you need an appointment to use the historical collection.

Microfilm Collections at BCPL
A few branches maintain historical collections of newspapers and other archival material pertaining to Baltimore County and Maryland.

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Museums and Historic Sites

(More complete information may be found on some of the organizations by searching our BCPL Community Information Database).

Ballestone Manor Museum of 1780-1880 period. Located at Rocky Point Golf Course, 1935 Back River Neck Rd, Baltimore MD 21221.

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Fire Museum of Maryland Hand-pulled, horse-drawn and motorized fire equipment dating from 1822

Hampton National Historic Site Georgian mansion with original furnishings.

Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River Museum Situated in a 1920 fire house, museum features general store, candle shop, music shop, toy shop, schoolroom, and drug store
516 Eastern Blvd., Essex, MD 21221

Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum Aviation History in Maryland, including a brief history of Martin State Airport

Maryland State Police Museum (information provided by the Baltimore Sun)
History, photos, equipment, memorabilia
Official web page: Maryland State Police Alumni Association: Museum

Museum of the Historical Society of Baltimore County 1659 to present. Six museum rooms in former Almshouse include country kitchen, bedroom, children's room, country store, schoolroom, as well as agricultural related materials in the Farm Museum.

Townsend House and Pullen Museum Townsend House has an eighteenth century floor plan and includes a variety of antiques from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, historic Homewood replica model dollhouse, Knot Garden. The Pullen Museum is currently the headquarters of the Catonsville Historical Society.

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Registered Historic Places in Baltimore County

National Register of Historic Places Baltimore County property placed on the National Register; compiled by the Baltimore County Historical Trust

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Selected Bibliography For Baltimore County History

An extensive bibliography of Baltimore County history is available on the Baltimore County Planning Department's website

Anson, Melanie D.  Olmstead's Sudbrook: the Making of a Community.  Baltimore, MD: Sudbrook Park, Inc., 1997 (Md 975.271A)

Arbutus, a Historical Scrapbook.  Baltimore, MD: Greater Arbutus Community Alliance., 2001. (Md(Ref) 975.271A)

Baird, Hulett C. Edgemere. 1988. (Md(Ref) 975.271B

Bartels, Fran. Violetville, the History of a Neighborhood. Baltimore, MD: Fran Bartels., 2002 (Md(Ref) 975.26.B.

Bonnett, Logie. Baltimore County, its history, progress and opportunities.  1916  Md Ref 975.271B

Bready, Mary H.  Through all our days: a history of St. Paul's School for Girls. Baltimore, MD: Braun-Brumfield, 1999.  (Md(Ref) 371.822B)

Brinkmann, Walter S.  Never-to-be-forgotten tales of Catonsville. 1942  Md (Ref) 975.271B

Brooks, Kathleen.  Bay Shore Memories: an Informal History of Bay Shore Park 1906-1947. 1992 (Md (Ref) 791.068B)

Brooks, Neal A. and Richard Parsons. Baltimore County Panorama. Towson, MD: Baltimore County Public Library, 1988 (Md 975.271 B)

Brooks, Neal A. History of Baltimore County. Towson, MD: Friends of the Towson Library Inc., 1979. (Md (Ref) 975.271 B)

Brooks, E. Nelson.  Growing up in Arbutus in the 1930's and 1940's.  MD: E. Nelson Brooks, 1995.            Ref B Brooks

Bunting, Elaine. Counties of Northern Maryland. Centerville,MD: Tidewater Publishers., 2000.(JMd 975.27B)

Clemens, Shirley B. From Marble Hill to Maryland Line: an Informal History of Northern Baltimore County. Baltimore, MD: Professional Printing Services., 1999. (Md(Ref) 975.271C)

Coale, Joseph M. Middling Planters of Ruxton. Baltimore, MD: Maryland Historical Society., 1996. (Md(Ref) 975.271C)

County Directories of Maryland, Inc. 300th anniversary book of Baltimore County. 1959. Md (Ref)975.271C

Crewe, Amy Copper. No backward step was taken: highlights in the history of the public elementary schools of Baltimore County.  1949.  Md 379.75271C

Davidson, Isobel. Real Stories  From Baltimore County History. Hatboro, PA: Tradition Press, 1967 (Md 975.271 D 1967)

Diggs, Louis S. From the Meadows to the Point: the Histories of the African American Community of Turner Station and what was the African American Community in Sparrows Point. Baltimore, MD: Louis Diggs., 2003. (Md(Ref) 975.271D)

Diggs, Louis S. Holding On to Their Heritage. 1996 (Md 975.0049 D)

Diggs, Louis S. It All Started on Winters Lane: a History of the Black Community in Catonsville, Maryland. 1995 (Md 975.271 D)

Diggs, Louis S. In Our Voices: a Folk History in Legacy. 1998 ( Md (Ref) 975.271D)

Diggs, Louis S. North County: the History of African American Settlements in Northern Baltimore County's Scenic Horse Country.  Baltimore, MD: Louis S. Diggs., 2005. (Md 975.271D)

Diggs, Louis S. Our Struggles: Historic African American Communities in Southeast Baltimore County. Owings Mills, MD: Uptown Press., 2007. (Md 975.271D)

Diggs, Louis S. Since the Beginning: African American Communities in Towson . Owings Mills, MD: Uptown Press., 2000. (Md(Ref) 975.271D)

Diggs, Louis S. Surviving in America: Histories of 7 Black Communities in Baltimore County. Owings Mills, MD: Uptown Press., 2002. (Md(Ref) 975.271D)

 Dundalk, the First Hundred Years 1895-1995. Baltimore: Patapsco Neck Historical Society., 1997.(Md (Ref) 975271D)

Essex 1909-1999: 90 Years of Yesterdays. Essex, MD; Essex Revitalization and Community Corporation,Inc. 1999.     (Md (Ref) 975.271E)

Forbes, Marie.  Speaking of Our Past (Owings Mills). Baltimore, MD; 1988. (Md(Ref) 975.271F)

Fox, Jimmy.  Legacy of a Country Boy: Life on the Farm. Falcon, CO: Fox Meadow Pub., 2007 (BFox)

Frank, Beryl. A Pictorial History of Pikesville, Maryland. Towson, MD: Baltimore County Public Library, 1982 (Md 975.271 F)

Frank, Beryl. Way Back When in Sudbrook Park. Baltimore, MD: Sudbrook Park, Inc., 1997.  (Md 975.271F)

Gontrum, Edwin K. Sidelights on the History of Baltimore County. Towson, MD: Edwin K. Gontrum (Md (Ref) 975.271 G)

Green Spring Valley, its History and Heritage, vol.1: a History; Historic Homes. Baltimore, MD: Maryland Historical Society 1978 (Md (Ref) 975.271 G)

Green Spring Valley, its History and Heritage, vol. 2: Genealogies. Baltimore, MD: Maryland Historical Society 1978 (Md (Ref) 975.271.G)

Hastings, Lynne Dakin. Hampton National Historic Site. Baltimore, MD : 1986.  (Md( Ref) 975.271 H)

Helton, Gary. Dundalk. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 2005. (Md 975.271H)

Herman, Ben. Red Trolley Days.  Baltimore, MD: Gameron Press., 2006  (BH)

Historic Long Green Valley, Baltimore County, Maryland: architecture, history. Cockeysville, MD: Baltimore County Historical Society, 1981.  Md(Ref) 975.271H

Hollifield, William.  Difficulties made easy: history of the turnpikes of Baltimore City & County. 1978.
Md (Ref) 388.1H

Horine, Paige. Maryland State Fair: Celebrating 125 Years.  Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press., 2006. (Md 975.2H)

Huttenhauer, Helen G. and G. Alfred Helwig. Baltimore County in the State and Nation Towson, MD: Board Of Education of Baltimore County, 1962 (Md 975.271 B)

Jessop, Jennie E.  Origin names in Baltimore County. 1968   Md (Ref) 975.271J

Kaufman, J.G.  Growing Up In Catonsville in the 1940's: a Home in Eden Terrace.  2001.  (Md(Ref)975.271K

Keidel, George C. Early Catonsville and the Caton Family. Baltimore, MD: 1944.  (Md(Ref) 975.271K)

Keidel, George C. Colonial History of Catonsville. Catonsville, MD: American Bicentennial Committee of Catonsville, Bicentennial Edition 1983 (Md(Ref) 975.271 K 1983)

Lanman, Barry Allen. Halethorpe Heritage: Story of a Maryland Community. Halethorpe, MD; Halethorpe Improvement Association., 2006. (Md(Ref) 975.271L)

Leifert, Donald L. Riggie: Journey from 5th Street. Parkville, MD: Donald L. Leifert,etc.,2004. (Md(Ref)BM)

Marks, David. Crossroads: History of Perry Hall.  Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1999. (Md(Ref) 975.271M)

Marks, Lillian Bayly. Reister's Desire Baltimore, MD: Garamond/Pridemark Press, Inc., 1975 (Md (Ref) 975.271 M

Martinak, M. Linda and Angela Martinak Sutherland. Essex and Middle River. Charleston,SC: Arcadia Press, 2007. (Md (Ref) 975.271M)

McGrain, John W. From Pig Iron to Cotton Duck, a History of Manufacturing Villages in Baltimore County. Towson, MD: Baltimore County Public Library, 1985 (Md (Ref) 338.4767 M)

McGrain, John W. A Glossary of Place Names in Baltimore County. Towson, MD: Baltimore County Office of Planning, 1999 (Md (Ref) 917.5271 M 1999)

McGrain, John W. Grist Mills in Baltimore County, Maryland. Towson, MD: Baltimore County Public Library, 1980 (Md 664.72 M)

McKee, Ann Milkovich. Hampton National Historic Site. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 2007. (Md 975.271M)

Mueller, Kevin A. Bay Shore Park: Fun on the Chesapeake.  Kevin Mueller., 2001.  (Md(Ref)791.068M)

Nickel, Jackie. Essex.  San Francisco, CA: Arcadia Press., 2007. (Md 975.217N)

Nickel, Jackie. "Old" Middle River: a Loving Look Back. Easton, MD: Chesapeake Publishing Company, 2002 (Md (Ref) 975.271 N)

O'Donovan, Molly. Towson and the Villages of  Ruxton and Lutherville. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 1999. (Md(Ref) 975.2O)

Orser, Edward and Joseph Arnold. Catonsville 1880 to 1940 From Village to Suburb. Norfolk, VA: Donning Co., 1989 (Md (Ref) 975.271 O)

Perkins, I.B. Picturesque Catonsville.  Baltimore, MD: I.B.Perkins, 1895.  Md Ref 975.271P

Perry Hall, reflections from the past.  Perry Hall, MD: Mercantile Bank & Trust, 1979.  Md(Ref) 975.271P

Pollack, Carol.  Reisterstown.  1986.  Md(Ref) 975.271P

Reflections, Sparrows Point, Md. 1887-1975. Dundalk, MD: Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society, 1976 (Md (Ref) 975.271 R)

Roberts, L. Keith. History of the Back River Neck Peninsula. Baltimore, MD: Best Press, 1993. (Md (Ref) 975.271 R).

Scharf, John Thomas. History of Baltimore City and County, 2 vols. 1881. (Md(Ref) 975.2S)

Seitz, M. Patricia C.  Tanyard, Windsor and beyond, 1702-1989.  MD: M.P.C.Seitz., 1996.                   Md(Ref) 975.271S

Staab, Bob.  Growing Up in Dundalk: Precious Memories. Baltimore, MD: Bob Staab., 2007. (BStaab)

Steffen, Charles G. From Gentlemen to Townsmen: the Gentry of Baltimore County, Maryland, 1660-1776. University Press of Kentucky, 1993 (Md 975.271 S)

Toomey, Daniel Carro.  History of Relay, Md and the Thomas Viaduct. Rev. 3rd ed. 1995. (Md(Ref) 975.271T)

Villages of Northeast Baltimore County, Origins to c. 1940. Greater Northeast Baltimore County Historical District Committee (Md (Ref) 975.271 V)

Watson, Jerome R.  Churches of Turner Station: a Legacy of Faith and Family.  Turner Station, MD: Turner Station Heritage Foundation., 2002.  (Md280W)

Wise, Marsha Wight. Catonsville. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 2005.  (Md 975.271W)

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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 05 September 2008.
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