Historical Markers and War Memorials in Towson, Maryland
Towson is the county seat for Baltimore County
Towson is in Baltimore County
Baltimore County(335) ► ADJACENT TO BALTIMORE COUNTY Anne Arundel County(468) ► Baltimore(1099) ► Carroll County(210) ► Harford County(204) ► Howard County(143) ► Kent County(101) ► York County, Pennsylvania(438) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
The jewel of Hampton’s cultural landscape and the focus of Ridgely family horticultural pursuits for 150 years is the Falling Garden. Constructed under Charles Ridgely “The Builder” in the 1780s, the Falling Garden was one of the . . . — — Map (db m78625) HM
Slave/Workers Quarters, ca 1855 To our eyes, the stone facades and decorative woodwork that adorn these buildings seem at odds with their use as slave quarters. But the entire farm site—based on a popular European architectural concept called . . . — — Map (db m78687) HM
On Chesapeake Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Bosley Avenue (Towson Bypass), on the left when traveling east.
Separation of Baltimore City and County effective July 4, 1851. Towsontown was chosen as County Seat by popular vote February 13, 1854. The Courthouse of local limestone and marble was completed in 1855 at a cost of $30,000. Enlarged in . . . — — Map (db m224802) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
At Hampton’s height, hundreds of workers labored to make this a self-sufficient and profitable estate. Slaves and servants who worked in the mansion carried out their daily chores in this yard and also had living quarters in this area (see . . . — — Map (db m78624) HM
Builder of Hampton and owner Northampton Iron Works. Supplier to American Revolutionary Forces. — — Map (db m78632) HM WM
7 ► Maryland, Baltimore County, Towson — Corn Culture — Mule Barn, constructed 1855, Corncrib, ca. 1845, destroyed by fire, 1989 — Hampton National Historic Site, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Near Hampton Lane, 0.1 miles west of Stone Barn Road, on the right when traveling west.
There were lots of mouths to feed on a large plantation like Hampton and this made corn an all-important crop. Hard or “dent “corn was used as feed for livestock and ground into cornmeal for slaves as well as for the Ridgelys’ pantry. . . . — — Map (db m78633) HM
On Virginia Avenue at East Joppa Road, on the right when traveling south on Virginia Avenue.
Built 1839 and located just West of this marker on land donated by Henry B. Chew of Epsom Estate, the chapel served Towsontown both as church and community center. The chapel was first used by Methodists and became the cradle of Methodism in Towson. . . . — — Map (db m36851) HM
Near Goucher Road, 0.6 miles Dulaney Valley Road (Maryland Route 146), on the left when traveling east.
This springhouse was built in the eighteenth century and was part of the Epsom estate. It is the oldest known building on Goucher's campus. The first restoration was completed in 1979 in memory of Walter M. Morris, professor of religion from . . . — — Map (db m144055) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
Heating pipes and a furnace were installed in this greenhouse for all-season plant care and propogation. Gardening supplies and a work area were located in the small rear section. The glass frames are 20th century replacements. — — Map (db m144061) HM
On Goucher Road just east of Dulaney Valley Road (Maryland Route 146), on the left when traveling west.
Honoring
William Westley Guth
Fourth President of Goucher College
1913 - 1929
Through his foresight this
land was purchased in 1921
— — Map (db m144058) HM
On Hampton Lane, 0.5 miles east of Dulaney Valley Road, on the right when traveling east.
Estate of the Ridgely Family from 1745 to 1948. Home of Charles Carnan Ridgely, Govenor of Maryland 1816–1819. One of the largest Georgian Houses in the United States. Now a National Historic Site.
Open to the public. — — Map (db m198047) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
This land was once part of one of the largest estates in Maryland---and one of the most impressive. The Ridgley family owned Hampton Plantation for more than 200 years, and their home and many farm buildings have changed little since the mid-19th . . . — — Map (db m78481) HM
This land was once part of one of the largest estates in Maryland---and one of the most impressive. The Ridgley family owned Hampton Plantation for more than 200 years, and their home and many farm buildings have changed little since the mid-19th . . . — — Map (db m188345) HM
Nathan Towson, born 1784 in the area named for his family, served in the U.S. Army for 42 years. He enlisted in 1812 when war with Britain seemed imminent. As an artillery captain, Towson distinguished himself in nearly every major engagement on the . . . — — Map (db m83413) HM
On Joppa Road at Old Court Road, on the right when traveling east on Joppa Road.
First meeting house built on this site 1780. Previously met in Phineas Hunt’s House, still standing on Joppa Road. His grave is nearby. The present church building was erected in 1874. — — Map (db m2281) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
Having ice in summertime was a real luxury in the early 19th century. Storing enough ice to last throughout the summer was a true feat. A large icehouse was a sign of wealth, and originally there were two such structures at Hampton. Although it . . . — — Map (db m78487) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
This gated cemetery, where generations of Ridgleys are buried, is still in use by the family. Feel free to enter and walk among the tombstones and monuments, but show proper respect. Notice the family vault at center, the names and inscriptions on . . . — — Map (db m83524) HM
On Putty Hill Ave at Loch Raven Blvd on Putty Hill Ave.
This community of 365 homes is named after a quaint town in England, its streets after surrounding villages, in recognition of the villagers’ kindness to the 388th Bomb Group, USAAF, during World War II. — — Map (db m110239) WM
On Courthouse Court at Bosley Avenue (Maryland Route 45), on the left when traveling south on Courthouse Court.
Lynching in America
At least 6,500 Black people were the victims of racial terror lynching in the United States between 1865 and 1950. After the Civil War, violent resistance to equal rights for African Americans and an ideology of white . . . — — Map (db m174864) HM
On Bellona Avenue at Malvern Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Bellona Avenue.
He commanded “Baltimore Light Dragoons” during the Revolution, attaining rank of Captain. He took active part in suppression of Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, and that year purchased “Bosley’s Adventure,” a 350 acre farm west of . . . — — Map (db m2283) HM
Orangery, originally constructed ca. 1830s. Destroyed by fire 1926, reconstructed 1976.
It was not possible to grow fresh oranges and lemons’ outside in Maryland, as delicate fruit trees could not survive the winter. The Ridgely family, however, . . . — — Map (db m78631) HM
These two stone buildings, which replaced earlier log structures, housed slaves before the Civil War. After the abolition of slavery, they provided quarters for plantation and farm workers — — Map (db m92522) HM
Hampton is the "show-place" of Maryland. There is certainly nothing like it south of the Mason and Dixon's line J.C. Carpenter, from Appletons' Journal, May 8, 1875
The Mansion, completed 1790. When Captain . . . — — Map (db m78485) HM
On Bellona Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Malvern Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Originally constructed as a log cabin in 1833, St. John’s Chapel and land adjacent thereto served the local black community as a house of worship and burying ground. Services had been held in the present chapel since its construction in 1886. The . . . — — Map (db m2286) HM
On Hampton Lane, 0.1 miles west of Stone Barn Road, on the right when traveling west.
The ingenious design of this building enabled the Ridgelys to produce fine dairy products here for 150 years. Built into the ground to maintain coolness, the structure is also shaded by low-hanging eaves. Inside you will see a natural refrigeration . . . — — Map (db m144064) HM
Near Goucher Road, 0.6 miles east of Dulaney Valley Road (Maryland Route 146), in the median.
Fern Karesh Hurst, Class of 1968, came to Goucher College from Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with a degree in political science and received a master's degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. An advocate for Goucher . . . — — Map (db m144052) HM
On Charles Street (Route 139) at Charlesbrook Road, on the right when traveling south on Charles Street.
The home of Governor Augustus W. Bradford, which stood on this site was burned July 11, 1864 by Confederate Troops “to retaliate the burning of Governor Letcher’s Home” in Virginia by Federal troops. This was the closest point to . . . — — Map (db m115243) HM
On Joppa Road at Edgeclift Road, in the median on Joppa Road.
Originally an Indian trail used in 1695 by a troop of Rangers from the Garrison Fort to keep back the Indians. Later the high road to Joppa Town, the County Seat of Baltimore County from 1712 to 1768 and the rival of Baltimore. — — Map (db m2302) HM
Lower House, constructed ca. 1745; with later additions in the 1700s to ca. 1950.
This building, historically referred to as the “Lower House” by the Ridgely family, served a variety of purposes. Originally, Hampton’s first master, . . . — — Map (db m78645) HM
The Hampton Farm, as it might have looked ca. 1850-1870
From this part of the farm, you have an ideal view of the Ridgely mansion. The imposing structure on the hill would have inspired different emotions among the various people on the . . . — — Map (db m188721) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.1 miles west of Gypsy Lane, on the left when traveling west.
Some of the finest Thoroughbred horses in the country lived in the stable to your left. Horses with names such as "Grey Medeley," "Post Boy" and "Tuckahoe" enhanced the reputation and purses of their owners. As founding members of the Baltimore . . . — — Map (db m144063) HM
Near University Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Towsontown Boulevard West, on the right when traveling south.
The Towson University Student Government Association and the University's Department of Veterans Services recognize the service of its students in the United States Armed Forces and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. — — Map (db m174860) WM
On York Rd at York Rd & Chesapeake Ave, on the right when traveling south on York Rd.
Founded in 1936 by the Woman's Club of Towson, the Towson Library began as a volunteer organization operating out of the home of the first librarian, Mary Osborne Odell. Under her direction for the next 16 years, it grew rapidly. in 1948 the . . . — — Map (db m224805) HM
Dedicated to the
Citizens of
Baltimore County
Who Served Their
Nation in
Southeast Asia
1957 - 1975
In Memory of Those Who Gave Their Lives
Harvey C. K. A. Au
Charles J. Armstrong
Leland Bailey
James H. Baker, Jr.
Larry M. . . . — — Map (db m83691) WM
During the War of 1812, an armory was built near the intersection of Dulaney Valley and Joppa Roads. It was soon abandoned. In the 1830's, Henry Chew built a house on this site and decorated the lawn with a cannon from the deserted armory. The house . . . — — Map (db m57136) HM
Northampton Iron Furnace, operating from 1761 to about 1830 approximately a mile north of here, played a significant role in the War of 1812. Part of the prosperous Hampton estate, the foundry’s workforce was made up primarily of enslaved . . . — — Map (db m197008) HM
Near Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east.
Hampton National Historic Site preserves the core of a large estate owned by the Ridgely family from the Colonial era until 1948. During the early 1800s, it formed the hub of a vast agricultural and industrial enterprise numbering over 25,000 acres. . . . — — Map (db m144060) HM
To the sacred memory of the Sons and Daughters of Baltimore County who dying for their country in the World War gave proof undying of patriotism supreme. This symbol of love victorious in death is dedicated by their fellow citizens “Greater . . . — — Map (db m126364) WM
Carver High School was one of the three schools built simultaneously in 1939 by Baltimore County to educate colored students in grades 8 through 12. Previously, those students were sent to Baltimore city for high school. The Carver School replaced a . . . — — Map (db m226653) HM
Research indicated that the Jacob House log cabin was originally built in the 1840s by a former slave freed from the nearby plantation estate known as Hampton, owned by the Ridgely family, or from a smaller plantation known as Stevenson.
It . . . — — Map (db m226687) HM
East Towson celebrate two families believed to be the earliest known residents of the Jacob House. In the 1890s, Eliza Johnson's name appeared in local tax records. Area residents believe Ms. Johnson was a freed slave from the nearby Stevenson . . . — — Map (db m226985) HM
On East Towsontown Blvd. at Virginia Ave., on the right when traveling west on East Towsontown Blvd..
Founded by freed slaves
from the Hampton estate.
East Towson grew to become a vibrant,
largely African American community.
Dedicated 2017 — — Map (db m226617) HM
Faculty & students campaigned for women’s suffrage, hosted suffrage seekers & marched in Washington DC 1913. Students picketed White House 1917. — — Map (db m145894) HM
