Forest Hill in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Famous Ma & Pa

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, August 1, 2024

1. The Famous Ma & Pa Marker

Inscription. The MA & PA station between Bel Air and Forest Hill was initially called Melrose but a request was made to the railroad's president to change the name to Blake's as the station was located adjacent to John Blake's farm. The railroad, however decided to rename it Bynum since this was the name of a nearby stream that the rail line crossed. Thereafter, Bynum would appear on the railroad's 1884 timetable. In addition to serving area passengers, the station shipped Spenceola Farms brand canned products to market in Baltimore.

Erected 2024 by Henry and Verinica Peden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 39° 34.014′ N, 76° 21.928′ W. Marker is in Forest Hill, Maryland, in Harford County. It is on Melrose Lane. Marker is on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Forest Hill MD 21050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in

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the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saint Ignatius Church (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named The Famous Ma & Pa (approx. one mile away); Ma & Pa Station - Forest Hill (approx. 1.6 miles away); MA & PA Heritage Trail (approx. 2 miles away); Built 1898 Liriodendron (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hendon Hill Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); In Grateful Recognition (approx. 2.1 miles away); Historic Bel Air (approx. 2.1 miles away).

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 22, 2025

2. The Famous Ma & Pa Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2024, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 22, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.