Guilford, Baltimore
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Guilford is a distinctive neighborhood located in the northern part of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is bounded roughly by Coldspring Lane on the north, York Road/Greenmount Ave. Avenue on the east, convergence of St. Paul Street and Greenway Street at University Parkway on the south, and Charles Street on the west. It is a residential neighborhood with 680 single family dwellings ranging from modest houses to stately mansions, many with swimming pools, extensive landscaping, street trees and old-fashioned streetlights. Architectural oversight is maintained by the Guilford Association, Inc., to which the residents pay dues. The neighborhood also supports a private security force. and maintains liaisons with surrounding communities, umbrella organizations and the city. There are nearby shopping and services including the Johns Hopkins University, Union Memorial Hospital, the Rotunda Shopping Center and the Charles Village Shopping Center.
The residents of Guilford also own and maintain the renowned Sherwood Gardens, a six-and-a-quarter-acre park between Highfield, Stratford, Greenway and Underwood. Its spectacular display of tulips brings thousands of Marylanders to the park each April and May. Annual neighborhood events include Moveable Feast, Easter parade, wine tasting, Christmas tree lighting, and family activities.[1]
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[edit] History
Guilford was initially comprised of 10 patents granted to British citizens from the mid 1600s through the 1700s, the area was valued for its beautiful views of the city and bay. The entire area was sold in 1780 as confiscated property to Revolutionary War veteran General William McDonald. McDonald gave Guilford its name and began the tradition of the celebrated architectural styles still evident today. In 1872, the McDonald family sold Guilford to Arunah S. Abell, owner of the Baltimore Sun newspapers. The Abell family owned Guilford until 1907, when it was sold for $1 million to the Guilford Park Company, which, in 1911, consolidated with the Roland Park Company. Active development of Guilford began in 1913. In 1939, in order to continue restrictions which maintain the residential status of the community, the company assigned to the Guilford Association, Inc., all its remaining rights and powers. These powers continue to be vested today in the Guilford Association. Planning of the landscape design, which began in 1911, was under the immediate direction of Frederick Law Olmsted, of the famous Boston firm of Olmsted Brothers. In the intervening years, the neighborhood evolved and grew. The covenants established by Guilford's founders promoted the architectural continuity and graceful land use that distinguishes the neighborhood today.
[edit] Sherwood Gardens
Sherwood Gardens was founded in 1927 by John W. Sherwood, local petroleum pioneer and conservationist. The gardens have become known as the most famous tulip garden in North America. They cover Stratford Green, one of the original parks laid out by the Olmsted Brothers for the enjoyment of the residents of Guilford, and several adjoining building lots purchased by Sherwood. His own house adjoined the garden.
When Mr. Sherwood died in 1965, he bequeathed sufficient funds to continue the gardens for one year. After that period, the Guilford Association purchased the additional lots from the Sherwood estate and took responsibility for its care. The City of Baltimore has also helped from time to time.
Approximately 80,000 tulip bulbs are planted annually along with other spring flowering bulbs. Dogwoods, wisteria and magnolias bloom throughout the garden. The garden has always been at its best toward the end of April and beginning of May. There are also brightly colored azaleas, old boxwoods and numerous varieties of rare trees adorning the garden. Some of these plants date back as far as the 18th century.[2]
[edit] Demographics
96.4% of the houses in Guilford are occupied and 89.5% of that number are owner occupied. According to the last census, 80.7% of the residents are white, 13.6% are black, 4% asian and 3.3% are hispanic. 13.7% of the white residents are reported as Irish, another 17% English, 15.3% German and 9.4% Polish. The median family income is $134,376 with 4% of those in the workforce unemployed. 92.2% are high school graduates and 66.3% report having a graduate or professional degree.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Guilford. Live Baltimore Home Center, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
- ^ Sherwood Gardens. The GUILFORD Association. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
- ^ 2000 Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Guilford. Baltimore Dept. of Planning. Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
[edit] External links
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