Maps, Maps and More Maps

Many people ask me what is the best way to research the history of a specific area.

I am not sure if one particular way is better than another, but I do know that I largely rely on old maps as a way to begin my studies. Here in Baltimore County, we are fortunate to have many different versions of historic maps, each of which tells its own unique version of our past.

For example, the map showing the approximate locations of early land grants gives us an insight into who acquired this land in the 1600s. Notice I said acquired and not owned.

The reason for this is that even though the named individuals were given grants to the land, they still had to pay rent to the Lords Baltimore. In addition, with early land grants, it did not mean the grantees actually resided on the property. Many lived in other locations, even out of state.

Examining the map which outlines the “Hundreds” subdivisions of the late 1700s shows us how the county's population expanded. "Hundreds" were so named because approximately 100 families resided in each subdivision. The majority of the county’s population at that time was centered around the Patapsco, Back and Middle rivers.

Robert Taylor’s 1857 map is where we really begin to see how our community was shaped. Some of the buildings shown are still standing where they were originally constructed, such as the Somogyi farmhouse (listed under the name J. Broadbent).

Others have been rehabbed, refurbished or rebuilt, such as Ballestone (listed under the name Ewd. Miller), Orems Meeting House (Orems Methodist Church), Howards Meeting House (Zion Lutheran Church), Walters Tavern (Josenhans Store), Back River School, the Walnut Grove farm (listed under S. Hyde) and the Carback farm (just off present day Maryland Route 702).

We can also see the Rossville Post Office & Station (at that time the entire area was known as Rossville) and Galloway’s Enlargement (home to Moses Galloway).

On G.W. Bromley’s 1898 map, we can see large increases in the population of the area, as more prominent structures were created. The Back River Methodist Church and St. Stephens AME Church were clearly marked.

Daniels Weber’s store (the precursor to Back & Middle River Bldg. & Loan) is shown near the intersection of Eastern and Back River Neck. Also shown is the home of Dr. Mace near present day CCBC Essex. Dr. Mace served the area for many years.

The map also shows members of the Brown family residing along the Back River Neck peninsula as mentioned by Cassandra Brown Umoh last week in her response to the history exam.

Bromley’s 1915 map goes into even greater detail. Present day Marlyn Avenue is listed as Deep Creek Avenue. Mt. Carmel Catholic Church is shown (although it dates back much further). We can see members of the Porter family residing at Rocky Point, where they later opened Porter’s Park.

Many of the roads that are shown as dotted lines on the lower Back River peninsula no longer exist, but they were well traveled in those times. With the help of modern-day technology, such as portable GPS, and by reviewing historic maps, you can still visit these “old roads” and see where the went. You might even come across artifacts such as old farm equipment or foundations to old homes and abandoned wells. I have done so with friends in the Rocky Point-Shaffers Road area and it is fascinating.

So there you have it. If you want to explore the history of our local community, I suggest you start by looking at old maps. They are an excellent place to begin. Thank you to all who responded to last week's exam and thank you to all who contact me weekly with the kind comments about this column. They are deeply appreciated.

By the way, here are the answers to last week's quiz:

1) Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. 2) Pappy’s Beef & Beer. 3) Marvin’s Sports City. 4) Kalb’s. 5) Mammoth Mart. 6) He was the very first person to represent this area on the Baltimore County Council. 7) 1955. 8)Read’s. 9) Ben Franklin. 10) 1957. 11) Sanitary Market 12) Hiway Theater. 13) Montgomery Ward’s. Stewart’s, or Hecht’s. 14) American. 15) Carroll’s. 16) North Point or Pulaski. 17) Acme. 18) Helman’s but I will accept Lazarus’s 19) Helen’s Café or Marlyn Inn or Gardens (I can’t remember). 20) USO. 21) Safeway.

So how well did you do?

Keep reading Patch.