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A Brief History of Dundalk and the Patapsco Neck Area
First explored by John Smith in 1608 while conducting an expedition up the Chesapeake Bay, the area then known as Patapsco Neck was inhabited by the Susquehanna Indians.
The purchase of 1,150 acres of Patapsco Neck land by Thomas Todd of Virginia in 1664 was the first deed recorded in Baltimore County, His original house, "Todd's Inheritance," was burnt by the British during the Battle of North Point in the War of 1812, The house was rebuilt after the war and still stands today as an historical landmark.
In 1856 Henry McShane, an immigrant from Ireland, established the McShane Bell Foundry on the banks of the Patapsco River in the then far southeastern outskirts of Baltimore. In addition to bronze bells, the foundry manufactured cast iron pipes and furnace fittings. When the Baltimore and Sparrows Point Railroad asked McShane to name the foundry's depot, which was on its rail line, McShane chose the name Dundalk after the town of his birth. The foundry later established itself in the Patterson Park area, but a fire in the 1940s forced it to relocate to East Federal Street, and in 1977 the foundry moved to its current location in Glen Burnie.
By 1916 Bethlehem Steel Company had built a shipyard on Patapsco Neck and had purchased 1,000 acres of farmland near the McShane foundry to develop housing for its workers. The Dundalk Company was formed to plan a town similar to one in the Roland Park area of Baltimore City, where businesses were excluded except in specific locations and land was left open for future development of schools, playing fields and parks. The community's streets were laid out in a pedestrian-friendly open grid. By 1917 Dundalk proper had 62 distinctly designed "Dutch hipped" houses with steeply pitched slate roofs and stucco exteriors. A post office and two stores were erected in what was to become the landmark Tudor-style shopping center and a firehouse and police station were later added.
(Source: Dundalk Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011 Business Directory & Community Guide)
Area Reference Points - Historic Sites
Aquilla Randall Monument - Marker on Old North Point Rd. where a War of 1812 skirmish occurred between the troops of Gen. John Strieker and British Gen. Robert Ross, who sustained a mortal wound.
Battle Acre - War of 1812 site on Old North Point Rd. where Gen. Strieker's troops inflicted severe losses on the British, helping to save Baltimore from enemy attack.
Black Marsh Wildlands - vestiges of Bayshore Amusement Park and trolley barn. Fort Howard - Defensive bulwarks built in 1896 to defend Baltimore from naval attack. Named for Revolutionary War Hero John Eager Howard. The fort remained under Army command until 1940, but its guns never fired on enemies.
McShane Bell - Heritage Park, struck by original Dundalk foundry.
Methodist Meeting House Memorial - Site on German Hill at Old North
Point roads that was used as a field hospital for both American and
British soldiers during the War of 1812.
Old Dundalk Village Shopping Center - Shipping Place, circa 1917.
Shaw House and Cemetery - Only house foundation and family graves
remain. House used by British officers, War of 1812.
Todd's Inheritance - Part of a 1664 land grant that stretched from Bird
River to the Patapsco River. House (under refurbishment) burned
by British during War of 1812. Several hundred unmarked graves of
British army regulars in surrounding fields.
Veterans Memorial - dedicated to all U.S. servicemen, Shipping Place.
(Source: Dundalk Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011 Business Directory & Community Guide)
Area Reference Points - Parks
Bear Creek Park - Park Haven Rd., 410.887-7180
Chesterwood Park - 2200 Chesterrwood Rd., 410.887-7155
Colgate Park - 7700 E. Baltimore St., 410.887-7160
Fort Howard Park - 9500 North Point Rd., 410.887-7529
Gray Manor Park - 7607 Parkwood Rd., 410.887-7180
Heritage Park - Trading Place
Hart-Miller Island State Park - 410.592-2897
Inverness Park - 2025 Inverness Rd., 410.887-7536
Lynch Cove Park - 7833 Scholar Rd., 410.887-7155
Merritt Point Park - 7800 Dunmanway Extended, 410.887-7155
North Point State Park - Old North Point Rd., 410.592-2897
North Point Village Park - St. Patricia Lane, 410.887- 7529
St. Helena Park - 300 Willow Spring Rd., 410.887-7155
Stansbury Park- 7880 Stansbury Rd., 410.887-7155
Turner Station Park - 23 Rayme Rd., 410.887-7536
Veterans Park - Shipping Place
Watersedge Park - 8820 Bullneck Rd., 410.887-7536
(Source: Dundalk Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011 Business Directory & Community Guide)
Area Reference Points - Community Resources
Fleming Community Center - 641 Main St., 410.887-7228
Inverness Community Center - 8301 Lynch Rd., 410.887-7536
North Point Government Center - 1747 Merritt Blvd., 410.87-7155
Southeast Regional Rec Center -4021 North Point Blvd., 410.887-3478
North Point Library -1716 Merritt Blvd, 410.887-7255
Dundalk Community Theatre - CCBC-Dundalk campus, 410.285-9667
Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society-4 Center Place, 410.284-2331
(Source: Dundalk Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011 Business Directory & Community Guide)
General Information
Dundalk is located in Baltimore County and is part of the Baltimore, Maryland metropolitan area. Named from the Dundalk Bay, Ireland.
The Zip code for Dundalk is 21222.
Population 2000: 62,306
Metro area: Baltimore
Latitude: 39.250N
Longitude: -76.52W
Time zone: Eastern Daylight Saving
Suburb on the Patapsco River
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census - Image : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalk,_Maryland)
Colleges and Universities
CCBC Dundalk
The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) offering degree programs, business training and online learning.
Dundalk Community Theater
The Dundalk Community Theater, located on the campus of the Community College of Baltimore County.
Tickets for the shows or information about season subscriptions can be obtained by calling the box office at 410.285.9667. With recent budget cuts, the theater’s survival depends on your support. Reserve your tickets today!
The Dundalk Farmers Market
The Dundalk Farmers market runs yearly from the first Saturday in July through the last Saturday in October. The market is opened from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Please come to support the local farmers and the community of Dundalk. In addition to the delicious vegetables and fruits for sale, there is also now a nut vendor and a baker who recently joined the market. The Baker is from Bonaparte Breads, a French bakery located in Canton. The baker, Pierre, brings delicious fresh bread and pastries every Saturday.
For more information, please call 410.284.3700.
ATTRACTIONS
Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society Museum
4 Center Place
Dundalk, MD 21222
410.284.2331
Open Monday-Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM; Saturday: 1 PM - 5 PM; Sunday: by appointment.
Group tours are available by appointment.
Admission: Free
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