text:
New Market, Maryland

New Market is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,525 at the 2020 census. The town bills itself as the "Antiques capital of Maryland".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.80 sqmi, all land.

History
When Frederick, Maryland began being settled in 1745, trade routes between Frederick and Baltimore emerged. Present-day New Market developed along this road, which later was improved. It became known as the National Road and the Gateway to the West. In 1926, U.S. Route 40, a major coast-to-coast highway, was constructed and designated along the former National Road.

To accommodate travelers along this important colonial road, Nicholas Hall tried to plat the town of New Market in 1788. He likely had disputes with William Plummer, an owner of adjoining land and was unable to complete the project. On August 1, 1792, William Plummer laid out 36 lots for the town. Later, on January 29, 1793, Nicholas Hall laid out an additional 134 lots. On June 1, 1793, the first 19 lots were sold, initiating the town of New Market. As time passed, the town developed as an important stopping point along the route. Residents developed churches, hotels, inns, a post office, taverns, blacksmith shops, and other crucial services, including doctors.

The New Market Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Henry Nelson House was listed on the NRHP in 1980 and Drummine Farm in 1987.

Antiques Capital of Maryland
New Market was once known as the "Antiques Capital of Maryland". Downtown New Market once had a number of small shops specializing in the sale of antiques and other goods. While antiques tourism occurs year-round, New Market holds events and festivals that highlight the town's historic past. "Christmas in New Market" is held on the first Saturday in December every year. From June through October each year, New Market hosts periodic 2nd Saturday events, featuring artists, food, vendors, free concerts, and movies. A "Day in New Market" festival was formerly held annually on the first Saturday in May.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 656 people, 231 households, and 187 families residing in the town. The population density was 820.0 PD/sqmi. There were 247 housing units at an average density of 308.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 89.5% White, 5.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 231 households, of which 50.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.0% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the town was 36.3 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 7.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census
According to the 2000 Census, there were 159 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,292, and the median income for a family was $67,292. Males had a median income of $45,455 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,102. None of the families and 0.7% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 6.9% of those over 64.

Education
Residents feed into four schools: New Market Elementary School, Oakdale Elementary School, New Market Middle School, Oakdale Middle School, Oakdale High School and Linganore High School.

Transportation
The primary means of travel to and from New Market is by road. The main highway serving New Market is Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 40, which run concurrently through the town. I-70 and US 40 connects eastward to Baltimore and westward to Frederick and Hagerstown. Maryland Route 75 also serves New Market, connecting northward to Libertytown and south to Hyattstown. Maryland Route 144 connects the center of town to MD 75 via Main Street.

Notable people

 * John Vincent Atanasoff, inventor who created the first binary computer, Atanasoff–Berry Computer.
 * William Plummer Benton, Served as a general from Indiana in the American Civil War

title: New Market, Maryland


text:
Rosemont, Maryland

Rosemont is a village in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 272 at the 2020 census. Maryland state routes 79 and 871 pass through Rosemont.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.56 sqmi, all land.

Transportation
The primary means of travel to and from Rosemont is by road. Despite its small size, the village is served by four separate state highways. The most prominent of these is Maryland Route 17, which skims the southwest side of the village. MD 17 continues southward to Brunswick and onward across the Potomac River to Virginia, where it becomes Virginia State Route 287. To the north, MD 17 interchanges with U.S. Route 340, then continues on to Burkittsville, Middletown and Myersville, where it interchanges with Interstate 70. Other state highways serving Rosemont include Maryland Route 79, Maryland Route 464 and Maryland Route 871.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 294 people, 114 households, and 84 families living in the village. The population density was 525.0 PD/sqmi. There were 118 housing units at an average density of 210.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.9% White, 1.4% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 114 households, of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.3% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the village was 49.6 years. 14.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 38.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 273 people, 104 households, and 76 families living in the village. The population density was 488.3 PD/sqmi. There were 106 housing units at an average density of 189.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.27% White, 0.37% African American and 0.37% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.

There were 104 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 16.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $59,750, and the median income for a family was $66,875. Males had a median income of $52,000 versus $31,806 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,382. None of the families and 1.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including none under eighteen and 4.2% of those over 64.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Rosemont, Maryland


text:
Thurmont, Maryland

Thurmont is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 6,935 at the 2020 census. The town is located in the northern part of Frederick County (north of Frederick, the county seat), approximately ten miles from the Pennsylvania border, along U.S. Highway 15. It is very close to Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, the latter of which contains the presidential retreat of Camp David. Thurmont is also home to Catoctin Colorfest, an arts and crafts festival that draws in about 125,000 people each autumn.

In 2005, Thurmont was designated as a Maryland Main Street Community and in 2005 Thurmont was designated a National Main Street under the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Name change
Originally incorporated as the Town of Mechanicstown in 1751, the name of the town was changed to Thurmont by an act of Maryland General Assembly on January 18, 1894. This name change was due to several other nearby towns having similar names, such as Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and Mechanicsville, Maryland. Charles E. Cassell, editor of the local newspaper Catoctin Clarion was the one to suggest the name Thurmont and promoted debate about the name change in the Clarion. Some of the names considered included Beaufort, Eastmont, Glenmont, Monduru, Fern Glen, and Blue Point. Eventually, the options were pared down to two main contenders: Cassell's suggestion of Thurmont, and local real estate broker Charles Shipley's suggestion of Blue Mountain City, which he argued was "appropriate" and "pretty" during an address at a town meeting in December 1893. In the December 14, 1893, issue, the Clarion printed the following: "'The name is a misnomer: it is harshness long drawn out; it is an antique minus the lacquer; the sentimentalism that cries out against a change lacks its correlative, poetry, and smacks of the catacombs; its prestine [sic] glory is effaced by the ruthless circumstance of immigration to improve condition; an hundred, yea, hundreds of grandsons now recount to strangers in other States how their grand-fathers drove a thriving trade in factory, forge and mill in Mechanicstown and then confess--Ilium fuit; Delenda est Carthago! [Troy is no more; Carthage must be destroyed!]'"

By the end of December 1893, there had been several rounds of voting, and Thurmont had been officially chosen as the town's new name. The Clarion noted, however, that "the reception of a letter from the Postoffice Department saying that the name 'Blue Mountain City' would not be approved by the Department as there is an office called 'Blue Mountain' in the State, probably defeated the choice of that name."

The name Thurmont is derived from thur, the German word for gateway or entrance, and mons, the Latin word for mountain, roughly translating to "Gateway to the Mountains."

Railroads
The Western Maryland Railway built its main railroad through Thurmont, connecting the town with Baltimore, and later with Hagerstown and Cumberland. On June 17, 1905, 16 men from Thurmont were killed in a railway wreck in Ransom, Maryland when a westbound freight train collided head-on with another train. All Thurmont businesses were closed on the Monday following the accident, and it became an event that had a lasting effect on the entire community. Another large railway accident occurred on June 25, 1915, when the Blue Mountain Express train hit another train head-on just west of Thurmont, killing 6 people. Charles Eyler, who was 17 years old at the time of the crash, said the following: "People were still wondering the next day how the two engines had stayed on the rails. But it was easy to see how the wreck had occurred. The bridge is 'blind' from both directions."

Geography
Thurmont is located at the eastern foothill of the Catoctin spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.13 sqmi, of which 3.12 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Thurmont has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Transportation

The primary method of travel to and from Thurmont is by road. U.S. Route 15 is the main highway serving Thurmont, providing connections northward to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and southward to Frederick. Maryland Route 806 follows portions of the old alignment of US 15 through the center of Thurmont, with the main highway now following a bypass on the west side of town. Maryland Route 77 is the main east-west highway traversing the town, which provides connections eastward towards Keymar and westward towards Smithsburg. MD 77 also provides access to Catoctin Mountain Park. One other highway, Maryland Route 550, provides access northwestward towards Fort Ritchie and southeastward to Woodsboro.

Demographics
The median income for a household in the town was $49,530, and the median income for a family was $56,138. Males had a median income of $37,804 versus $27,266 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,474. About 4.0% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,170 people, 2,354 households, and 1,701 families residing in the town. The population density was 1977.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,498 housing units at an average density of 800.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.8% White, 1.0% Black, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 2,354 households, of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the town was 39.5 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

Notable people

 * Richard Troxell, opera singer
 * Neal Coty, country music singer

title: Thurmont, Maryland


text:
Walkersville, Maryland

Walkersville is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 5,800 at the 2010 census.

History
Crum Road Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Woodsboro and Frederick Turnpike Company Tollhouse was listed in 1979 and Harris Farm in 1994.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.36 sqmi, of which 4.35 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Transportation

The primary method of travel to and from Walkersville is by road. Maryland Route 194 is the only significant highway serving the town. MD 194 traverses the region southwest-to-northeast, providing connections to Maryland Route 26 and the Frederick area to the south, and to Woodsboro and Taneytown to the north.

Demographics
The median income for a household in the town was $65,581, and the median income for a family was $69,476. Males had a median income of $47,309 versus $31,817 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,103. About 2.1% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,800 people, 2,094 households, and 1,583 families residing in the town. The population density was 1333.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,206 housing units at an average density of 507.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.0% White, 5.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 2,094 households, of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.16.

The median age in the town was 40.6 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

Community
There are four schools in the town of Walkersville: Glade Elementary, Walkersville Elementary, Walkersville Middle, and Walkersville High. The mascot of Glade Elementary is the Jaguar. The mascot of the other schools is the Walkersville Lion and the rival school are the Middletown Knights. There is also an Adult Education center on W. Frederick St., across from the middle school.

Some activities in Walkersville are participating in the Glade Valley Athletic Association (GVAA) where kids 5-18 can participate in baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, wrestling, poms and cheerleading. There are also active Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

There are four parks within the local area of Walkersville: Walkersville Community Park, Heritage Farm Park, Creamery Park, and Gilmore C. Trout Memorial Park.

Baseball, Softball, soccer and lacrosse fields, playground equipment, a running loop, and covered pavilions are found at Heritage Farm Park. Tennis courts can be found at Walkersville Community Park along with a one-mile paved trail.

Walkersville has a fire hall, where various activities are held, including cookouts, auctions, and the annual Volunteer Fire Company Carnival which occurs over the week of July 4.

Town meetings are held at the Town Hall on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

The Walkersville Southern Railroad offers regularly scheduled scenic train rides from the month of May through October. The train was part of the Pennsylvania Railroad that was built in 1872.

Walkersville is served by TransIt, the Frederick County bus system.

title: Walkersville, Maryland


text:
Woodsboro, Maryland

Woodsboro is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States that was granted to Joseph Wood in 1693. The population was 1,092 at the 2020 census.

History
The town was named after Joseph Wood. The LeGore Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and Woods Mill Farm was listed in 2007.

In 1895, Dr. George F. Smith founded Rosebud Perfume Company in Woodsboro. Smith had eight children, and served as mayor of the town for 19 years. The business has remained in the family, and as of 2012, was still producing its famous "Smith's Rosebud Salve," a lip gloss and salve originally known as tholene. The products are shipped from company headquarters in Woodsboro; however, "the salve is manufactured and filled at Case Mason in Joppa, Md., and the tins are made in Baltimore."

The Woodsboro Savings Bank, and several buildings associated with the three limestone quarries near the town are among the structures which have been considered for historic preservation.

Government
Unlike most cities, the executive officer of Woodsboro, Maryland is called a burgess. The current Burgess of Woodsboro is Heath Barnes.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.71 sqmi, all land.

Transportation
The main means of transport to and from Woodsboro is by road, and two primary state highways serve the town. Maryland Route 194 traverses the area northeast to southwest, connecting the Frederick area to Taneytown. Maryland Route 550 follows a northwest-to-southeast alignment, providing connections to Thurmont and Libertytown. Both roads follow the same alignment for a short distance on the northeast side of Woodsboro.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,141 people, 423 households, and 306 families living in the town. The population density was 1607.0 PD/sqmi. There were 443 housing units at an average density of 623.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.9% White, 3.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 423 households, of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.7% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23.

The median age in the town was 41.1 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.9% were from 25 to 44; 32.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 846 people, 273 households, and 229 families living in the town. The population density was 1,230.9 PD/sqmi. There were 295 housing units at an average density of 429.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.24% African American, 0.59% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 273 households, out of which 50.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.0% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.1% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.3% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,000, and the median income for a family was $62,500. Males had a median income of $45,250 versus $26,528 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,434. About 0.9% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Woodsboro, Maryland


text:
Accident, Maryland

Accident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 338 at the 2020 United States census. Accident has been noted for its unusual place name. A person from Accident is called an "Accidental".

History
Accident was one of the early settlements in the far west of Maryland. The name originates about the time of the 1786 land survey. Though the origin or meaning of the name is unknown, one popular story says that Brooke Beall and William Deakins, Jr., friends from Prince George's County, were conducting separate surveys in the area at the time and "by accident" Deakins claimed land already surveyed by Beall.

When Lord Baltimore opened up the area, which he called Monocacy Manor, for settlement, in the early 1770s, Brooke Beall secured permission to survey 778 acre. It will never be known for certain how Beall came to choose this particular spot, but the surveyor was given clear instructions where to start. He was to begin "in the center between two bounded white oak trees, standing on the North Side of the South fork of Bear Creek in or near a glade about one Hundred yards from said Run, about one or two Miles above a Lick known by the name of the "Cole Mine Lick", about 4 mi above the mouth of Broad Creek and about 1 mi East of a Ridge of the Negro Mountain." John Hanson, Jr., later a delegate to the Continental Congress, and President of the United States in Congress Assembled, on April 14, 1774, surveyed the land, finding that it only contained 682 acre. For the next twelve years, nothing was done with the survey. The American Revolutionary War intervened, and it was not until February 15, 1786, that the land was granted by means of a patent to William Deakins. The following year the surrounding countryside was surveyed into military lots by Francis Deakins, lots that were meant as compensation for the soldiers who served from Maryland during the Revolution. Each soldier who served for two years received one lot of 50 acre, officers received four lots of 50 acre each.

Kaese Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The James Drane House was listed in 1985.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.49 sqmi, all land.

Accident is located in the plateau region of the Appalachian Mountains.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 325 people, 141 households, and 86 families residing in the town. The population density was 663.3 PD/sqmi. There were 173 housing units at an average density of 353.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 141 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the town was 34.5 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 353 people, 138 households, and 96 families residing in the town. The population density was 711.1 PD/sqmi. There were 162 housing units at an average density of 326.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.72% White and 0.28% from two or more races.

There were 138 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,500, and the median income for a family was $40,556. Males had a median income of $25,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,950. About 10.9% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 24.1% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The primary method of transportation to and from Accident is by road. One state-maintained highway, U.S. Route 219, serves the town directly, following Main Street through the middle of Accident. To the north, US 219 connects Accident to Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40, along with the town of Grantsville, before heading into Pennsylvania. Heading south, US 219 connects to Maryland Route 42, Maryland Route 39, Maryland Route 135 and U.S. Route 50, along with the towns of Oakland and Mountain Lake Park, before it enters West Virginia.

Notable people

 * Wendell R. Beitzel, member of Maryland House of Delegates
 * James Drane, builder and first owner of the historical Drane House

title: Accident, Maryland


text:
Deer Park, Maryland

Deer Park is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 399 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Pittsburgh Media Market.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, all land.

History
The town of Deer Park traces its history back to the 1770s, long before Garrett County was established. The town was part of property owned by Lord Baltimore and was originally surveyed on April 14, 1774. Deer Park saw immense growth during the mid to late 1880s, primarily because of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The Deer Park Hotel, constructed in 1872, served as the focal point for visitors who came to the mountaintop to enjoy the area's scenery and cool temperatures during the summer months. Numerous large cottages were subsequently erected and made available to wealthy visitors.

President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland spent the first night of their honeymoon in Deer Park, June 3, 1886.

As automobiles became more readily available in the early 1900s, transportation was no longer limited to railroad service, and Deer Park lost its appeal as a vacation destination. The fortunes of the town took a gradual downturn. Fires and demolitions have destroyed many of the fine homes and hotels that once were abundant in the area.

Pennington Cottage was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Glamorgan was listed in 1984.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 399 people, 156 households, and 112 families living in the town. The population density was 399.0 PD/sqmi. There were 175 housing units at an average density of 175.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.5% White and 0.5% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population.

There were 156 households, of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the town was 34.9 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 405 people, 161 households, and 112 families living in the town. The population density was 405.7 PD/sqmi. There were 181 housing units at an average density of 181.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.53% White, and 2.47% from two or more races.

There were 161 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,339, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,302. About 21.2% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.2% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The main method of transportation to and from Deer Park presently is by road. The only state highway serving Deer Park is Maryland Route 135. MD 135 runs east-west across southern Garrett County, connecting with Maryland Route 495 to the east and Maryland Route 560 and U.S. Route 219 to the west. MD 135 itself provides access to the towns of Mountain Lake Park and Oakland to the west and to Luke and Westernport to the east. Via MD 495, the town of Grantsville is accessible, while MD 560 provides access to Loch Lynn Heights.

title: Deer Park, Maryland


text:
Friendsville, Maryland

Friendsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 438 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.91 sqmi, all land. The Youghiogheny River flows through the town and is renowned by the whitewater kayaking/rafting community as the take-out for the famous Upper Yough run.

History
Friendsville is named after its first European settler, John Friend, who came to what is now Garrett County before the American Revolution. Many of Friend's descendants live in Garrett County today, and the headquarters and library of the Friend Family Association are in Friendsville because of this connection.

Transportation
The main mode of transportation to Friendsville is by road. Interstate 68 passes through the town, with access provided via an interchange at Maryland Route 42. Maryland Route 742 also serves Friendsville, following the old alignment of MD 42 through the center of town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 491 people, 219 households, and 128 families living in the town. The population density was 539.6 PD/sqmi. There were 272 housing units at an average density of 298.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.6% White, 0.2% Native American, and 0.2% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 219 households, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the town was 44.6 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 33% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 539 people, 232 households, and 134 families living in the town. The population density was 580.6 PD/sqmi. There were 266 housing units at an average density of 286.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.96% White, 0.56% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.

There were 232 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $26,591 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,292. About 18.2% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.9% of those under age 18 and 28.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Friendsville, Maryland


text:
Grantsville, Maryland

Grantsville is a town in the northern part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States, near the Pennsylvania border. The population was 968 as of the 2020 census.

History
Grantsville, half a mile west of the Casselman River, began as a small Amish and Mennonite settlement, called Tomlinson's or Little Crossing, along Braddock Road, which wound westward from Cumberland over Negro Mountain. Later a new village flourished as a stop along the nearby National Road, U.S. Route 40. From 1818, the national road carried hundreds of thousands of pioneers and settlers in stagecoaches and covered wagons. In the 1800s, an area just outside Grantsville (once known as Little Crossing but now marked by the intersection of Route 40 and River Road) was a major stop on the old National Pike. There is a "dip" in the road that travelers will not miss when they pass through Little Crossing on Route 40.

Signs mark the location of the post office and the blacksmith shop that stayed open all night to fix broken horseshoes. An 1879 article in Harper's Monthly described the wagons as "so numerous that the leaders of one team had their noses in the trough at the end of the next wagon ahead."

The Casselman Inn sits in the center of town, where it has provided food and lodging to travelers since 1824. A sign outside displays a replica 1842 stagecoach advertisement.

Near the Casselman Bridge, a historic stone arch bridge, are Penn Alps Restaurant and The Spruce Forest Artisan Village, which was founded in 1957 by Alta Schrock. Penn Alps Restaurant is housed in the last log hospitality house on the National Pike. It is situated between a 1797 gristmill and the Casselman Bridge, the longest single span of stone in America when built in 1813.

Spruce Forest Artisan Village, a part of the extended Penn Alps campus, has grown from a few cabins to some 12 log and frame structures of early vintage, two of which date to the Revolutionary War Period. Most of these provide studio space for artisans. Artisans work in various media, including bird carving, stained glass, basket making, hand-loom weaving, and hand-thrown pottery.

Transportation
The main mode of transportation to Grantsville is by road. Interstate 68, U.S. Route 40 and U.S. Route 219 all traverse Grantsville via the National Freeway, an east-west freeway traversing western Maryland and northern West Virginia. Direct access to Grantsville is provided by an interchange with Maryland Route 495. U.S. Route 40 Alternate and Maryland Route 669 also serve Grantsville.

Grantsville was served by Greyhound bus until 2005. Since January 2011, it has been served by a Bayrunner Shuttle that originates in Grantsville and serves Frostburg, Cumberland, Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland Campus, Hancock, Hagerstown, Frederick Transit Center, Frederick Airport, BWI, BWI Amtrak Station, and Baltimore Greyhound Station.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.98 sqmi, all land.

Climate
Grantsville has a humid continental climate under the Köppen climate classification, with warm summers and cold winters.

Demographics
In the 1960s the town had a stable population of approximately 400 individuals.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 766 people, 350 households, and 213 families living in the town. The population density was 781.6 PD/sqmi. There were 397 housing units at an average density of 405.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 350 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the town was 38.4 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 619 people, 278 households, and 177 families living in the town. The population density was 877.2 PD/sqmi. There were 298 housing units at an average density of 422.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.87% White, 0.48% African American, 0.32% Asian, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 278 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,778, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,625. About 22.2% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * George C. Edwards, Maryland state senator.
 * Alta Schrock, Founder of Penn Alps, Springs Folk Festival, Springs Historical Society, Springs Museum.

title: Grantsville, Maryland


text:
Kitzmiller, Maryland

Kitzmiller is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 321 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.25 sqmi, of which 0.22 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 321 people, 126 households, and 91 families living in the town. The population density was 1459.1 PD/sqmi. There were 158 housing units at an average density of 718.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.1% White, 0.3% Native American, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population.

There were 126 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.8% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 302 people, 127 households, and 91 families living in the town. The population density was 1,170.8 PD/sqmi. There were 155 housing units at an average density of 600.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.67% White, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.

There were 127 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $29,167. Males had a median income of $21,528 versus $16,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,365. About 20.5% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 13.7% of those 65 or over.

Transportation
The main method of transportation to and from Kitzmiller today is by road. Maryland Route 38 is the only state highway serving the town, connecting northward to Maryland Route 135 near Altamont and southward across the North Branch Potomac River to West Virginia Route 42 in Blaine.

title: Kitzmiller, Maryland


text:
Loch Lynn Heights, Maryland

Loch Lynn Heights is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 493 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.32 sqmi, all land.

1967 F3 tornado
On May 19, 1967, a tornado struck Loch Lynn Heights, causing one fatality and throwing a small frame house 100 yards. It was rated F3.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 552 people, 203 households, and 157 families living in the town. The population density was 1725.0 PD/sqmi. There were 228 housing units at an average density of 712.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 203 households, of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the town was 32.8 years. 30.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 469 people, 181 households, and 135 families living in the town. The population density was 1,485.0 PD/sqmi. There were 202 housing units at an average density of 639.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.36% White, 0.43% Asian, and 0.21% from two or more races.

There were 181 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $21,563 versus $16,111 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,369. About 14.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The main method of travel to and from Loch Lynn Heights at present is by road. The only state highway directly serving the town is Maryland Route 560, which head south to U.S. Route 50 in Gorman and north to Maryland Route 135 in Mountain Lake Park.

title: Loch Lynn Heights, Maryland


text:
Mountain Lake Park, Maryland

Mountain Lake Park is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,147 as of the 2020 census.

History
Mountain Lake Park Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Creedmore was listed in 1984.

Mountain Lake Park was founded in 1881 as Maryland's original Chautauqua resort community along the B&O Railroad. Called the Mountain Chautauqua, the summer destination grew to be one of the nation's top destinations over the course of three decades, attracting notable speakers like President William Howard Taft and William Jenning's Bryan. President Benjamin Harrison made a reception stop after getting elected in 1889. The Railroad Evangelist, Jennie Smith, was a frequent speaker and resident of Mountain Lake Park, where she owned and operated the Grace Hotel. Before becoming internationally known as Carter the Great, the young magician was billed under his given name, Charles Carter.

Over 60 original buildings from the turn of the last century remain in Mountain Lake Park. Cottages and boarding homes were indicative of the community's early years. Due to the variety of rural resort architectural styles, the National Register of Historic Places recognized the district. Many buildings feature porches adorned with scroll-sawn balustrades, cornices, and brackets used in fanciful ways. The original Ticket Office that accompanied the 5,000-seat Bashford Amphitheater was refurbished in 2002 and now serves as the town's museum with an extensive display showcasing the town's history. The Amphitheater was razed in the 1940s with the salvaged lumber used to build a number of homes.

After visiting Chautauqua, New York, seven businessmen and ministers fashioned Mountain Lake Park after the New York model with Christian restrictions attached to each deed. They negotiated to add a depot with B&O Railroad President John Work Garrett, after which the county is named. Among the founders was John Franklin Goucher, who helped found the college in Baltimore that bears his name. Goucher served as the last interim president of the Mountain Lake Park Association before it was sold to the Board of Foreign Missions. The town became incorporated in 1931 and is primarily a residential community.

The original clay tennis courts, which the Women's Civic Club began, have been maintained and are used today.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.01 sqmi, of which 1.94 sqmi is land and 0.07 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,092 people, 873 households, and 531 families living in the town. The population density was 1078.4 PD/sqmi. There were 954 housing units at an average density of 491.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 873 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the town was 44.4 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,248 people, 867 households, and 578 families living in the town. The population density was 1,485.3 PD/sqmi. There were 948 housing units at an average density of 626.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.20% White, 0.36% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.

There were 867 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $37,105. Males had a median income of $29,219 versus $23,348 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,589. About 16.2% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Donald W. Sincell is the current Mayor of Mountain Lake Park. Sincell was appointed to the position by the town council on July 13, 2017, to replace former mayor Leo Martin, who died June 25, 2017, but was re-elected posthumously on July 11, 2017.

Transportation
The main method of travel to and from Mountain Lake Park is by road. Several state-maintained highways serve the town, the most prominent of these being U.S. Route 219. US 219 brushes the western edge of Mountain Lake Park on Garrett Highway on its north–south journey across the region. To the south, US 219 connects to U.S. Route 50 before entering West Virginia. Heading north, US 219 passes through the towns of Oakland, Accident and Grantsville while having junctions with Maryland Route 39, Maryland Route 42, U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 68 before heading into Pennsylvania. Maryland Route 135 and Maryland Route 560 also serve Mountain Lake Park, with MD 135 providing connections eastward towards Deer Park and Luke, while MD 560 heads south through Loch Lynn Heights to Gorman.

title: Mountain Lake Park, Maryland


text:
Aberdeen, Maryland

Aberdeen is a city located in Harford County, Maryland, United States, 26 mi northeast of Baltimore. The population was 16,254 at the 2020 United States Census. Aberdeen is the largest municipality in Harford County.

Aberdeen is part of the Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is the 20th-largest United States metropolitan area. The nearest city to Aberdeen is Havre de Grace, 4.8 mi to the northeast.

History
Aberdeen was named after Aberdeen, Scotland, by immigrating Scots.

The James B. Baker House, Chestnut Ridge, Griffith House, Poplar Hill, Sophia's Dairy, and Swansbury are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Early settlements
Aberdeen began as a farming community in 1720, when Charles Calvert, the fifth Lord Baltimore, granted 1,140 acres of fertile land to Edward Hall. Located on the western edge of the Chesapeake on the main road between Alexandria and Philadelphia called the Old Post Road, the village at Halls Cross Road remained small until the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad scouted the area for a watering station in 1835. One of the railroad companies engineers was Edmund Law Rogers who saw the great potential in the place for development.

Village of Aberdeen
The Village of Aberdeen was a development by Edmund Law Rogers around 1800. The name originated from its mother city, Aberdeen, Scotland, as a result of the close relationship the Rogers family of Baltimore had with their cousin, the Earl of Aberdeen, who became Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1852. The area now known as Aberdeen is a cluster of three communities
 * Hall's Cross Roads, located at the intersection of Old Philadelphia Road (MD-7, in some places known as Old Post Road, then known as Philadelphia Post Road) and Bush River Neck Road (then the main road from Swan Creek 39.52456°N, -76.13826°W)
 * Mechanicsville, located at 39.60205°N, -76.31968°W
 * The Village of Aberdeen

As a town
In 1892, Aberdeen was incorporated as a town, under Chapter 136 of the Acts of 1892.

Board of commissioners
Upon incorporation as a town, the Aberdeen government was led by a board of commissioners.
 * 1892–1905, a Board President was elected annually by the commissioners
 * 1906–1954, this election was changed to be biennial
 * 1955–1992, the election of a Board President was changed back to be annual

In 1992, the Town of Aberdeen revised the Charter and became the City of Aberdeen with an Elected Mayor. The first mayor of the City of Aberdeen was Ruth Elliot. The second mayor was Doug Wilson, and Fred Simmons was elected mayor in 2005. Michael Bennett served as mayor from 2007 to 2015. In 2015, Patrick McGrady was elected Mayor of Aberdeen and is currently serving a 4-year term.

As a city
In 1992, Aberdeen was incorporated as a city.

2018 shooting
On September 20, 2018, 26-year-old Snochia Moseley opened fire at a Rite Aid he temporarily worked at. He killed three people and injured three others before turning the gun on himself.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.81 sqmi, of which, 6.80 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

The city of Aberdeen is located at the north end of Upper Chesapeake Bay.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Aberdeen has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

B.&.O. Railroad Station
The B.&.O. Aberdeen Station is a historic train station in downtown Aberdeen. It was designed by Frank Furness and built in 1885 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The Historical Society of Harford County is currently in search of funding to save the station from being demolished.

Ripken Stadium
Ripken Stadium is the home of the Aberdeen IronBirds, located on Maryland Route 22, and named after former Baltimore Orioles star player Cal Ripken. Across the street is The Ripken Experience, a baseball complex with ten youth fields for tournaments, camps and clinics. The fields are scaled replicas of current and former MLB stadiums.

Aberdeen Festival Park
Aberdeen Festival Park is located in the heart of downtown on North Parke Street in Aberdeen. It is home to many city events such as the Aberdeen Farmers Market. It has an outside field, a playground and is home to the APG Memorial.

Victory Street Park
Victory Street Park on Victory St. features a playground, basketball court, disc-golf, and a dog park.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,842 people, 5,475 households, and 3,712 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,166.2 PD/sqmi. There were 5,894 housing units at an average density of 922.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 64.90% White, 27.38% African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.48% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 5,475 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,190, and the median income for a family was $48,357. Males had a median income of $32,783 versus $26,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,940. About 9.0% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 14,959 people, 5,801 households, and 3,897 families residing in the city. The population density was 2199.9 PD/sqmi. There were 6,191 housing units at an average density of 910.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 30.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 5,801 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

Roads and highways
Several major highways serve Aberdeen, with the most prominent of these being Interstate 95. I-95 briefly crosses the northwestern corner of Aberdeen and provides access to many major cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Access to Aberdeen is provided via an interchange with Maryland Route 22, which also connects directly to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds as well as to Bel Air, the county seat. U.S. Route 40 also serves the city, running parallel to I-95 from Baltimore to Wilmington and serving as an alternate route. Other state highways serving Aberdeen include Maryland Route 7, Maryland Route 132, Maryland Route 159, Maryland Route 462 and Maryland Route 715.

Rail transport
The city of Aberdeen is located on the old Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad which is now operated by CSX. The new Aberdeen station is located on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor main line is served by Amtrak Northeast Regional, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Penn Line trains and local buses. Located just south of the East Coast Greenway, the city has access to a walking and biking trail network linking the major cities along the U.S. east coast.

Local transportation
The city of Aberdeen is part of the Harford Transit LINK public bus system. Routes 1 (Green Line), 2 (Blue Line), 3 (Silver Line) and 5 (Teal Line) connect Aberdeen with Havre de Grace, Bel Air, Edgewood, Joppatowne and Perryville. Route 4 (Yellow Line) is the Aberdeen Circulator which services the different neighborhoods within the city of Aberdeen.

Government
Since its incorporation as a city, Aberdeen has had a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and Council are elected to four-year terms in November, with terms beginning in November. The Mayor and Council define policy and appoint the City Manager who may be dismissed at any time, by vote of the Council. The City Manager, with the approval of the Council, appoints all officers and department heads who may be dismissed for cause by action of the City Manager.

Mayors of Aberdeen

 * Ruth Elliott, 1992–1994
 * Charles R. Boutin, 1994–1998
 * Douglas S. Wilson, 1998–2005
 * S. Fred Simmons, 2005–2007
 * Michael E. Bennett, 2007–2015
 * Patrick McGrady, 2015–present

Aberdeen City Council
The city council and mayor are elected by voters to 4-year terms beginning in November 2011. Councilmember terms are staggered with current terms ending in 2025 and 2027.
 * Patrick L. McGrady, Mayor (2027)
 * Adam Hiob, Council President (2027)
 * Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman (2025)
 * Bill Montgomery, Councilman (2025)
 * Tandra Ridgley, Councilwoman (2027)

Harford County Council
Council District E
 * Jessica Boyle-Tsottles (Republican)

Maryland General Assembly
State Senate, District 34

House of Delegates, District 34A
 * State Senator Mary-Dulany James (Democrat)
 * Andre Johnson Jr (Democrat)
 * Steve Johnson(Democrat)

Congressional Delegation
US Senate US House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District
 * Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat)
 * Senator Chris Van Hollen (Democrat)
 * Congressman Andy Harris (Republican)

Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen is home to the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The proving ground was established by Act of Congress and came into operation in January 1918. APG is headquarters of the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). The proving ground occupies more than 72500 acre in Harford County. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at APG.

Notable people and groups

 * William Benjamin Baker, U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District, from 1895 to 1901
 * Linwood Clark, U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District, 1929–1931; born in Aberdeen on March 21, 1876
 * Les German, Major League Baseball pitcher, trap-shooter
 * David Grace (basketball), UCLA and Oregon State University basketball coach (USAF retired)
 * Michael D. Griffin, head administrator of NASA
 * E. J. Henderson, Minnesota Vikings football player, former Maryland Terrapin
 * Erin Henderson, Minnesota Vikings football player, former Maryland Terrapin
 * Jai Lewis, college basketball player (George Mason Patriots)
 * Gary Neal, NBA player for Washington Wizards
 * Irv Pankey, Aberdeen High School, 2-time wrestling state champion (1975–1976); Penn State offensive lineman (1976–1980); NFL: Los Angeles Rams (1980–1990) Indianapolis Colts (1991–1992)
 * Cal Ripken Sr., longtime coach and manager in the Baltimore Orioles organization and father of Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken.
 * Billy Ripken, infielder for Baltimore Orioles and brother of Cal Ripken Jr.
 * Cal Ripken Jr., baseball Hall of Famer and Baltimore Orioles legend, grew up in Aberdeen and was a student at Aberdeen High School
 * Richard Slutzky, "Coach Slutzky", honoree of National Wrestling Hall of Fame, longtime Aberdeen High School coach
 * Lisa Welch, model, Playboy Playmate of the Month, September 1980
 * Steven M. Wise, animal rights lawyer and scholar, inducted into Aberdeen High School Hall of Fame
 * Frank Zappa, musician, lived in Aberdeen for a short period, father worked at APG
 * Ballyhoo!, reggae rock band
 * Moor Mother, musician, poet, activist

Aberdeen IronBirds
Cal Ripken Jr. and brother Billy are owners of the Aberdeen IronBirds minor league baseball team, which plays at Ripken Stadium.

Media
Aberdeen's local radio station is WAMD, broadcasting at 970 on the AM dial. Local newspaper coverage is provided by Harford County publications The Aegis and The Record. Electronic media covering Aberdeen issues is Aberdeen Patch and The Dagger Press.

Aberdeen is served by Baltimore television stations, however it is not uncommon for residents to also get Philadelphia and Harrisburg-Lancaster-York stations.

title: Aberdeen, Maryland


text:
Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Harford County, Maryland, United States. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at APG. There are 11 major commands among the tenant units, including:
 * United States Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM)
 * United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC)
 * United States Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
 * Edgewood Arsenal
 * Adelphi Laboratory Center
 * The Army Reserve Information Operations Command
 * Unified Cross Domain Services Management Office
 * HQ, U.S. Army Contracting Command (Army Contracting Command –APG, Adelphi Contracting Division)
 * U.S Army 93rd Signal Network - Network Enterprise Center
 * Logistics Readiness Center
 * U.S. Army Cyber Operation Group – 335th Signal Command
 * Blossom Point Research Facility

History
APG is the U.S. Army's oldest active proving ground, established on 20 October 1917, six months after the U.S. entered World War I. The planning and construction were overseen by Brigadier General Colden Ruggles, who later served as the Army's Chief of Ordnance. Its location allowed design and testing of ordnance materiel to take place near contemporary industrial and shipping centers. The proving ground was created as a successor to the Sandy Hook Proving Ground, which was too small for some of the larger weapons being tested. At the peak of World War II, APG had billeting space for 2,348 officers and 24,189 enlisted personnel.

Prompt critical excursion
Aberdeen was home to the Army Pulse Radiation Facility Reactor, in 1968. On 6 September 1968, this reactor was the site of a prompt critical excursion during commissioning tests. This accident harmed no personnel but did release enough heat to reach the melting point of the fuel in the core, 1150°C. This caused damage to the fuel components of the reactor, fusing the four central rings together. This is one of thirty-three prompt critical accidents worldwide, between 1949 and 2000.

Base Realignment and Closure program
Under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, as announced in 2005, the APG is projected to lose the Ordnance School and associated R&D facilities with 3862 military and 290 civilian jobs moving to Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. APG will gain 451 military and 5,661 civilian jobs from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. As a result, the net change is a loss of 3,411 military jobs and a gain of 5,371 civilian jobs.

Edgewood Arsenal
Although civilian contractors produced the major portion of conventional munitions for World War I, the United States government built federally owned plants on Aberdeen Proving Ground for the manufacture of toxic gas. These poison gas manufacturing facilities came to be known as Edgewood Arsenal. Edgewood Arsenal included plants to manufacture mustard gas, chloropicrin and phosgene, and separate facilities to fill artillery shells with these chemicals. Production began in 1918, reached 2756 ST per month, and totaled 10817 ST of toxic gas manufactured at Edgewood Arsenal before the November 1918 armistice. Some of this gas was shipped overseas for use in French and British artillery shells.

The Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground is approximately 13000 acres or 20.31 sqmi. The Edgewood area was used for the development and testing of chemical agent munitions. From 1917 to the present, the Edgewood area conducted chemical research programs, manufactured chemical agents, and tested, stored, and disposed of toxic materials.

From 1955 to 1975, the U.S. Army Chemical Corps conducted classified medical studies at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. The purpose was to evaluate the impact of low-dose chemical warfare agents on military personnel and to test protective clothing and pharmaceuticals. About 7,000 soldiers took part in these experiments that involved exposures to more than 250 different chemicals, according to the Department of Defense (DoD). Some of the volunteers exhibited symptoms at the time of exposure to these agents but long-term follow-up was not planned as part of the DoD studies.

The agents tested included chemical warfare agents and other related agents:
 * Anticholinesterase nerve agents (Agent VX, sarin, and common organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate pesticides)
 * Mustard agent
 * Nerve agent antidotes atropine and scopolamine
 * Nerve agent reactivators (e.g., the common OP antidote 2-PAM chloride)
 * Psychoactive agents (LSD, PCP, cannabinoids, and Agent BZ)
 * Irritants and riot control agents
 * Alcohol and caffeine

During the week of July 14, 1969, personnel from Naval Applied Science Laboratory in conjunction with personnel from Limited War Laboratory conducted a defoliation test along the shoreline of Poole's Island, Aberdeen Proving Ground using Agent Orange and Agent Orange Plus foam.

The Gunpowder Meetinghouse and Presbury Meetinghouse located within the grounds of Edgewood Arsenal are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other component locations within Aberdeen Proving Ground
Other parts of APG not attached to the main installation include the Churchville Test Area in Harford County, and the Carroll Island and Graces Quarters in Baltimore County, Maryland. The Churchville Test Area is a test track with hills that provide steep natural grades and tight turns to stress engines, drivetrains, and suspensions for army vehicles, including M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Humvees.

The eastern half of Carroll Island was used as a testing location for open air static testing of chemical weapons since the 1950s. During tests of chemical agents and other compounds at Carroll Island, Maryland, from July 1, 1964, to December 31, 1971, nearly 6.5 ST of chemicals were disseminated on the test area including 4600 lb of irritants, 655 lb of anticholinesterase compounds such as the nerve gasses Sarin and VX, and 263 lb of incapacitants such as LSD. Simulant agents, incendiaries, decontaminating compounds, signaling and screening smokes, mustard, and herbicides were also released as well as riot control gasses. The test sites consisted of spray grids, a wind tunnel, test grids, and small buildings.

Edgewood Chemical Activity is a chemical-weapons depot located at APG. Elimination of the chemicals held here was put on an accelerated schedule after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and all chemical weapons were destroyed by February 2006.

Fort Hoyle was established on October 7, 1922, and was created from a portion of the Edgewood Arsenal. Named for Brigadier General Eli D. Hoyle, who had commanded the 6th Field Artillery Regiment, the post was home to Headquarters, 1st Field Artillery Brigade (1922 to 1939), the 6th Field Artillery Regiment (1922 to 1940), the 1st Ammunition Train (1922 to 1930), and the 99th Field Artillery Regiment (minus 2nd Battalion) (1940 to 1941). Fort Hoyle was officially disestablished as a separate military post when it was reabsorbed by Edgewood Arsenal on September 10, 1940.

The U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Museum previously located at APG, was moved to Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act.

Geography
APG is located at 39.47333°N, -76.14083°W and occupies a land area of 293 km2. Its northernmost point is near the mouth of the Susquehanna River, where the river enters the Chesapeake Bay, while on the south, it is bordered by the Gunpowder River. The installation lies on two peninsulas separated by the Bush River. The northeastern is known as the Aberdeen Area and the southwestern is called the Edgewood Area (formerly the Edgewood Arsenal).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.0 sqmi, of which 11.4 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi (5.09%) is water.

Demographics
For statistical purposes the base is delineated as a census-designated place (Aberdeen Proving Ground CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau. As of the 2020 census, the resident population was 1,668.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,116 people, 805 households, and 763 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 274.1 PD/sqmi. There were 902 housing units at an average density of 79.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 50.5% White, 34.6% African American, 0.6% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 1.3% Pacific Islander, 5.7% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races; 11.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 40.1% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 44.9% from 25 to 44, 4.4% from 45 to 64, and 0.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,875, and the median income for a family was $40,306. Males had a median income of $26,943 versus $26,194 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,808. About 4.2% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Contamination
The Edgewood area of the Aberdeen Proving Ground site was proposed to the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites requiring long term remedial action on April 10, 1985. The site was formally added to the National Priorities List on February 21, 1990.

The Edgewood area has large areas of land and water and numerous buildings that are contaminated or suspected of contamination. Virtually all the land areas of the site contain contaminated or potentially contaminated sites and potentially buried ordnance. Substances disposed of in the area include significant quantities of napalm, white phosphorus, and chemical agents. On-site surface waters include rivers, streams, and wetlands.

Edgewood area standby water supply wells in the Canal Creek area previously served approximately 3,000 people. The wells have been abandoned. The Long Bar Harbor well field of the County Department of Public Works and the well field used by the Joppatowne Sanitary Subdistrict serve 35,000 people within 3 mi of the site. On-site groundwater sampling has identified perchlorate, various metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemical warfare agent degradation products. On-site soil contamination sampling has identified various VOCs, metals, and unexploded ordnance in surface and subsurface soil. On-site surface water sampling has identified various metals, pesticides, phosphorus, and VOCs. People who accidentally ingest or come in direct contact with contaminated groundwater, surface water, soil, or sediments may be at risk. The area is a designated habitat for bald eagles.

Controversies
A scandal at the APG surfaced in 1996. The U.S. Army brought charges against twelve commissioned and non-commissioned male officers for sexual assault of female trainees under their command.

Following campaigning by PETA, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and other organizations, the U.S. military announced in 2011 that it was replacing its use of monkeys in the Army's nerve-agent attack training courses with human simulators and other non-animal teaching methods. The training drills had been carried out on vervet monkeys and conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

A Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) broke free from its mooring station on APG October 28, 2015. It traveled for three hours through the skies, finally crashing in a wooded area in northeastern Pennsylvania.

title: Aberdeen Proving Ground


text:
Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland

The town of Bel Air is the county seat of Harford County, Maryland. According to the 2020 United States census, the population of the town was 10,661.

The United States Census Bureau defines an urban area in northeast Maryland in which Bel Air is the principal settlement: the Bel Air–Aberdeen, MD urban area had a population of 214,647 as of the 2020 census, making it the 180th most-populous in the United States.

History
Bel Air's identity has gone through several incarnations since 1780. Aquilla Scott, who had inherited land known as "Scott's Improvement Enlarged," planned the town on a portion that he called "Scott's Old Fields." Four years later, the town had expanded as local politicians, merchants, and innkeepers purchased lots from Scott, and the county commissioners decided to change its name to the more appealing "Belle Aire." In his deeds, Scott dropped one letter, renaming the town, "Bell Aire." Around 1798, court records dropped two more letters, and "Bel Air" was born.

During this period, Bel Air began to rise in prominence. In 1782, just two years after its founding, it became Harford's county seat, and Daniel Scott (Aquilla's son) started building a courthouse on Main Street. Although the town limits in the late 18th century encompassed nothing more than the two sides of Main Street, the days following the Civil War saw a building and land-development boom that remains in full swing to this day.

Bel Air was part of a land grant issued to Daniel Scott in 1731. In March 1782 "Belle Aire" was designated the county seat of Harford County. At the turn of the 20th century the "e" was dropped and the second "l" and its companion "e" gave way a few years later. The town's incorporation was effective in 1874. The town began with just 42 lots along Main Street centering on the Court House and the county jail and sheriff's house. Over the years, the population grew slowly to about 200 residents by 1865. The introduction of the canning industry, the Ma & Pa railroad and related financial businesses jump started the growth after the Civil War. Although the town experienced periods of rapid growth followed by extremely slow growth over the next century, Bel Air's role as the center of government and commerce continued to expand.

Since 1980, the town and its surrounding suburbs have grown substantially. Today, Bel Air is the center for governmental, educational, cultural, medical, and commercial institutions in the county.

In the early 20th century, several fires swept through the downtown area, notably in 1900 and 1942. In 1972, another fire struck, decimating the east side of Main Street and causing $2 million in damage.

In 1970, H. Rap Brown, a member of the Black Panthers and the fourth chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), was charged with instigating a riot after a rally in Cambridge, Maryland; a change in venue brought his trial to Bel Air. Two black militants drove to Bel Air in a truck laden with plastic explosives, intending to attack the courthouse. Due to heavy security at the courthouse, the two men driving the truck fled on Route 1. The explosives subsequently detonated and killed both men. The blast left a crater in the road and blew out the windows of a nearby toll house. Brown would go on to escape the night of his trial.

Into the 1950s, the town hosted horse racing at Bel Air Racetrack, which stood where the Harford Mall is today.

The Bel Air Armory, Bel Air Courthouse Historic District, Broom's Bloom, D. H. Springhouse, Dibb House, Graham-Crocker House, Graystone Lodge, Harford Furnace Historic District, Harford National Bank, Hays House, Hays-Heighe House, Heighe House, Joshua's Meadows, Liriodendron, Mount Adams, Norris-Stirling House, Odd Fellows Lodge, Priest Neal's Mass House and Mill Site, Proctor House, Thomas Run Church, Tudor Hall, The Vineyard, and Woodview are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.03 sqmi, of which 3.02 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Climate
Bel Air lies within the humid subtropical climate zone. Bel Air features hot, often humid summers, mild, wet springs, pleasant falls and cool to chilly winters. The average precipitation for Bel Air is around 40-43 inches while snowfall averages 19–24 inches.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,120 people, 4,491 households, and 2,568 families living in the town. The population density was 3453.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,744 housing units at an average density of 1619.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 89.8% White, 4.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 4,491 households, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.8% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the town was 40.3 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,080 people, 4,235 households, and 2,511 families living in the town. The population density was 3,583.7 PD/sqmi. There were 4,444 housing units at an average density of 1,580.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.82% White, 4.38% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 4,235 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,135, and the median income for a family was $58,299. Males had a median income of $42,412 versus $29,207 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,737. 6.4% of the population and 4.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.6% are under the age of 18 and 6.5% are 65 or older.

Highways
The primary means of transportation to and from Bel Air is by road, and the most prominent highway serving the town is Maryland Route 24. MD 24 provides the most direct link between Bel Air and the nearest U.S. Highway, U.S. Route 1, and the nearest Interstate highway, Interstate 95. US 1 formerly ran through the town, but now follows a bypass around the northwest side, with U.S. Route 1 Business following US 1's former alignment through Bel Air. Maryland Route 924 also follows MD 24's old alignment through downtown Bel Air. Finally, Maryland Route 22 provides a direct connection between Bel Air and the city of Aberdeen. By road, Bel Air is 27 mi northeast of Baltimore, 66 mi northeast of Washington, D.C., 78 mi southwest of Philadelphia and 167 mi southwest of New York City.

Airports
The three small plane airports in the metropolitan area are:
 * Forest Hill Industrial Airpark
 * Fallston Airport
 * Harford County Airpark

Railroads
In the mid 20th century the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad ("Ma and Pa") ran through town, but the tracks were dismantled in 1958. The station was located (at milepost 26.5) on Rockspring Ave. between Broadway and Ellendale St. Much of the railroad's former route in and around Bel Air is now the Ma and Pa walking trail, which cuts through various wooded sections of town in and around Heavenly Waters Park.

Bus service
Harford Transit LINK is the primary means of transportation through Bel Air and to other areas of Harford County. The service operates 7 routes throughout the county, including the Orange Line, or the Bel Air Circulator. Other routes include the Blue Line to Edgewood, and the Green Line to Aberdeen and Havre De Grace. The Blue Line connects to the Edgewood MARC train station, and the Green Line connects with the Aberdeen Amtrak and MARC train station. The Harford Mall serves as the major transfer hub in the town.

Nearby, the MTA operates the 410 and 411 lines, which connect into downtown Baltimore.

Law enforcement
Bel Air's primary law enforcement agency is the Bel Air Police Department which was established in 1874. Its headquarters is located at 39 N. Hickory Avenue. Overseeing the department is Charles Moore, lifelong Harford County resident and former Maryland State Police captain.

Culture
Bel Air includes one of Maryland's 24 designated arts and entertainment districts. The district consists of 99 acres, which includes most of the city's downtown. It is used for concerts, art galleries, and other venues and events.

Publications
The Aegis is the main daily print news publication for Bel Air and surrounding Harford County. Bel Air News and Views is a popular online community news publication started in 2006.

Government
Bel Air is governed by a Council-Manager form of government. It is led by a five-member Board of Town Commissioners. The Board appoints a Town Administrator, who is responsible for the daily functions of municipal government. The Chair of the Board, elected by its members each year, is given the ceremonial title of Mayor of Bel Air.

All five Bel Air Town Commissioners are Republicans, though municipal elections are officially nonpartisan.

Notable people

 * John Archer, United States representative and physician, recipient of first medical diploma issued in United States, from what is now University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; 1741–1810
 * Lisa Aukland, professional bodybuilder and powerlifter
 * Andrew Berry, professional football manager
 * Elijah Bond, inventor of the ouija board
 * Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth and son of Junius Brutus Booth; considered one of the great Shakespearean actors of the 1800s
 * John Wilkes Booth, American stage actor and assassin of President Abraham Lincoln
 * Augustus Bradford, 32nd Governor of Maryland, 1862–1866
 * Pat Healey, midfielder for Crystal Palace Baltimore and Baltimore Blast
 * Julienne Irwin, America's Got Talent finalist, singer
 * Chase Kalisz, swimmer, silver medalist at 2016 Summer Olympics
 * Howard Atwood Kelly, pioneering gynecologist, one of "big four" founding staff members of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
 * Kimmie Meissner, figure skating Olympian, 2006 World Champion and 2007 U.S. Champion
 * Melvin Mora, former Baltimore Orioles player, lived in Bel Air
 * Herman Stump, Congressman; U.S. Commissioner-General of Immigration under President Grover Cleveland
 * Drew Westervelt, professional lacrosse player for Chesapeake Bayhawks and Colorado Mammoth
 * Jay Witasick, MLB pitcher

title: Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland


text:
Bel Air North, Maryland

Bel Air North is a census-designated place (CDP) in Harford County, Maryland, United States. It is situated immediately north of (and excludes) the incorporated town of Bel Air. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 30,568, up from 25,798 in 2000.

Geography
Bel Air North is located in west-central Harford County at 39.55056°N, -76.36167°W (39.550439, −76.361781). It is bordered to the south by the town of Bel Air and the Bel Air South CDP. It is bordered to the southwest by Fallston. Maryland Route 23 and Prospect Mill Road form the northern border of Bel Air North. East of Bel Air, Maryland Route 22 (Churchville Road) separates Bel Air North from Bel Air South, while Baltimore Pike performs that function west of Bel Air. Winters Run forms the southwest border of the CDP, separating Bel Air North from Fallston.

U.S. Route 1 passes through the central part of the CDP as it bypasses Bel Air to the north. Route 1 leads northeast 13 mi to the Conowingo Dam across the Susquehanna River and southwest 23 mi to Baltimore.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bel Air North CDP has a total area of 41.8 km2, of which 41.6 sqkm are land and 0.2 sqkm, or 0.47%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,798 people, 8,716 households, and 7,190 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,577.0 PD/sqmi. There were 8,978 housing units at an average density of 548.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.96% White, 2.22% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 8,716 households, out of which 48.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.0% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $86,881, and the median income for a family was $94,119. Males had a median income of $54,381 versus $32,521 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,726. About 1.2% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Bel Air North, Maryland