West Friendship, Maryland

Last updated

West Friendship, Maryland
USA Maryland location map.svg
Red pog.svg
West Friendship
Location in Maryland
Coordinates: 39°18.9′N76°57.1′W / 39.3150°N 76.9517°W / 39.3150; -76.9517
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States of America
State Flag of Maryland.svg  Maryland
County Flag of Howard County, Maryland.svg Howard
EstablishedNovember 10, 1864 [1]
Area
[2]
 • Total19.0 km2 (7.34 sq mi)
Population
[2]
 • Total2,280
 • Density146/km2 (378/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
21794
Area code 410

West Friendship is a semi-rural unincorporated community in western Howard County, Maryland, United States. West Friendship is located at the junction of Interstate 70 and Maryland Route 32. Frederick Road (Maryland Route 144) is a main thoroughfare.

Contents

History

Like many small communities in Howard County, West Friendship developed slowly as settlers moved west. As adventurers set out to survey the area, they established land tracts in the 1700s, many before the Revolutionary War. Stein's history (1972) lists land grants given to families whose descendants live in the area today. The families of Warfield, Ridgely, Selby, Hobbs, Cross, and Cissel helped create what is now West Friendship. [3]

In the 19th century, the main road through West Friendship was filled with travelers who could find comfort at mile houses along the route. The population of West Friendship totaled fifty by 1887. [4] Some came to settle; others, such as the circuit rider ministers, rode on horseback from church to church, making it more convenient for residents to attend the nearest service. Early travel was difficult, but most residents were adept at horseback riding. Many traveled over the Frederick Turnpike built in the 1790s. Empty land soon gave way to Thomas S. Cross' general store and post office in West Friendship. [3] [5]

In the 20th century, paved roads and the automobile replaced country roads and the horse and buggy. The paving of the West Friendship-Sykesville Road (MD 32) by the state in 1910 was an important development for the community. Social gatherings continued to center around farming in the 1940s. Before then, the Howard County Grange Competitions were held at Brendel Manor Park and in one resident's front yard. After moving to Freestate Raceway and Ellicott City High, residents set up the groundwork for the present Howard County Fair in 1953, to be held annually in West Friendship. [3] [6]

West Friendship's one-room school house provided a primary education for many residents in the early 1900s. In 1925, the High and Consolidated School at West Friendship was constructed, replacing all nearby one-room schools, and area residents came by school bus to attend. Over the next few decades, there were several additions, and it became an elementary school. The school was rebuilt in 1978. [3]

Large homes dot farms and rolling hills in West Friendship. Pfefferkorn Road.jpg
Large homes dot farms and rolling hills in West Friendship.

Today

Strict zoning regulations have largely limited sprawl and preserved the community's bucolic character.[ citation needed ] Large farms and historic homes still cover the area's gently rolling hills and many farms remain inhabited by descendants of the earlier aristocratic families. Wide expanses of farmland, meadows, woods and parks abound.[ citation needed ] However, as with most areas within an hour's drive of the Baltimore-Washington corridor, West Friendship is seeing a steady rise of residential development. Suburban subdivisions, many with 4000+ square-foot homes on 1+ acre lots, are becoming increasingly common.

Homes in the community are among the most highly sought after in the Baltimore area.[ citation needed ] In 2012, West Friendship was ranked as the most expensive suburb in the Baltimore metropolitan area according to the Baltimore Sun. [7] In the newer subdivisions, homes commonly sell for over $1 million.

Typical neighborhood in West Friendship. FoxCreekNeighborhood144.jpg
Typical neighborhood in West Friendship.

Demographics

In 2009, the estimated population of West Friendship (zip code 21794) was 2,777 persons, with 1,763 households. The median age is 36.5 years. The racial make-up of West Friendship was 87.1% White, 3.5% African American, 9.1% Asian, and 0.3% Hispanic. 90.6% of the population speak English at home. Foreign-born residents compose 7.9% of the community. The most common countries of origin were Nigeria (23%), United Kingdom (22%), Taiwan (14%) and Canada (10%). [8]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average family income was $229,962 in 2017, one of the highest in Maryland. More than 57% of families earned more than $200,000 per year. [9] The average family net worth in 2013 was $1.81 million. [10] An estimated 0.9% of families have an income below the poverty level. [9]

Most West Friendship residents commute to work in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. More than half (54%) of families have three or more vehicles. [9] The mean commute is 30–34 minutes. 88% of residents drive to work, and 34.7% of residents work within Howard County. [8]

Interstate 70 through West Friendship. Interstate70HowardMD.jpg
Interstate 70 through West Friendship.

Education

West Friendship is located in the Howard County Public School District. Elementary school children in West Friendship are zoned for West Friendship Elementary School, Bushy Park Elementary School or Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School. Middle school students attend Mount View Middle School or Folly Quarter Middle School. Most high school students attend Glenelg High School or Marriotts Ridge High School.

Private school options in the area include the Glenelg Country School and the Glenwood Country Day School. 28% of local students attend private school.

Attractions

The Howard County Fairgrounds is located on Route 144 in West Friendship, and is the home of the annual Howard County Fair and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Another popular event is the Howard County Motorcycle Swapmeet, hosted several times a year. This is one of the oldest "motorcycle swapmeets" in the nation. The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum was located across from the Howard County Fairgrounds but their lease was terminated in 2023 and the county will be utilizing the location.

The community is close to several parks. West Friendship Park offers hiking and nature walks. Western Regional Park offers a large children's playground and several sports fields. The Willow Springs Golf Course is an 18-hole, executive, links-style golf course also in West Friendship.

The community has a small shopping center which houses the West Friendship branch of the US Post Office, banks, several restaurants and stores, medical offices, and a gas station.

West Friendship is served by the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department which has been in service since 1944. [11]

Climate

Like much of Howard County, West Friendship is located at the northern edge of the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen climate classification Cfa), with mild to cool winters and hot humid summers. Precipitation is plentiful and spread evenly throughout the year. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, but averages 22.4 inches annually.

Climate data for West Friendship, MD
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)74
(23)		80
(27)		89
(32)		95
(35)		96
(36)		100
(38)		103
(39)		103
(39)		99
(37)		88
(31)		84
(29)		78
(26)		103
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)41
(5)		45
(7)		55
(13)		66
(19)		75
(24)		83
(28)		87
(31)		85
(29)		79
(26)		68
(20)		56
(13)		45
(7)		65
(19)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)22
(−6)		24
(−4)		31
(−1)		39
(4)		49
(9)		58
(14)		63
(17)		61
(16)		54
(12)		42
(6)		34
(1)		26
(−3)		42
(5)
Record low °F (°C)−18
(−28)		−17
(−27)		3
(−16)		16
(−9)		26
(−3)		34
(1)		40
(4)		37
(3)		30
(−1)		17
(−8)		11
(−12)		−6
(−21)		−18
(−28)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.42
(87)		2.97
(75)		4.15
(105)		3.51
(89)		4.71
(120)		3.84
(98)		4.03
(102)		3.90
(99)		4.17
(106)		3.49
(89)		3.56
(90)		3.52
(89)		45.27
(1,149)
Source: [12]

39°18′09″N76°57′10″W / 39.30250°N 76.95278°W / 39.30250; -76.95278

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasadena, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

Pasadena is a census-designated place (CDP) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 24,287 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pikesville, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

Pikesville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. Pikesville is just northwest of the Baltimore city limits. It is the northwestern suburb closest to Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elkridge, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States of America

Elkridge is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Howard County, Maryland, United States. The population was 15,593 at the 2010 census. Founded early in the 18th century, Elkridge is adjacent to two other counties, Anne Arundel and Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellicott City, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

Ellicott City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in, and the county seat of, Howard County, Maryland, United States. Part of the Baltimore metropolitan area, its population was 75,947 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous unincorporated county seat in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brookeville, Maryland</span> Town in Maryland, United States

Brookeville is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, located 20 km (12 mi) north of Washington, D.C., and 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Olney. Brookeville was settled by Quakers late in the 18th century and was incorporated as a town in 1808. Historically a farming town, Brookeville is now at the northern edge of the densely developed Washington suburbs. The population was 166 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travilah, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland

Travilah is a United States census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is 17.28 square miles (44.8 km2) located along the north side of the Potomac River, and surrounded by the communities of Potomac, North Potomac, and Darnestown—all census-designated places. It had a population of 11,985 as of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel, Maryland</span> City in Maryland, United States

Laurel is a city in Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore on the banks of the Patuxent River. While the city limits are entirely in northern Prince George's County, outlying developments extend into Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Howard counties. Founded as a mill town in the early 19th century, Laurel expanded local industry and was later able to become an early commuter town for Washington and Baltimore workers following the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1835. Largely residential today, the city maintains a historic district centered on its Main Street, highlighting its industrial past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Airy, Maryland</span> Town in Maryland

Mount Airy is a town in Carroll and Frederick counties in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of both the Washington Metropolitan Area and Baltimore Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 9,288.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarksville, Maryland</span> Unincorporated community in Maryland

Clarksville is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland; the second highest-earning county in the United States according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The community is named for William Clark, a farmer who owned much of the land on which the community now lies and served as a postal stop that opened on the 4th of July 1851.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sterling, Virginia</span> Census-designated place in Virginia

Sterling, Virginia, refers most specifically to a census-designated place (CDP) in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. The population of the CDP as of the 2020 United States Census was 30,337 The CDP boundaries are confined to a relatively small area between Virginia State Route 28 on the west and Virginia State Route 7 on the northeast, excluding areas near SR 606 and the Dulles Town Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanover, Maryland</span> Unincorporated community in Maryland, United States

Hanover is an unincorporated community in the Baltimore/Annapolis area in northwestern Anne Arundel County and eastern Howard County in the U.S. state of Maryland, located south of Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mondawmin, Baltimore</span> Neighborhood of Baltimore in Maryland, United States

Mondawmin is a neighborhood located in the Western district of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The neighborhood is surrounded by Druid Hill Park, the Whitelock Community, and Lower Park Heights. Included within its boundaries are Frederick Douglass High School, and Mondawmin Mall. The Baltimore Metro Subway serves the neighborhood, with a station at Mondawmin Mall that is also a hub for many bus routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Washington, Baltimore</span> United States historic place

Mount Washington is an area of northwest Baltimore, Maryland. It is a designated city historic district and divided into two sections: South Road/Sulgrave to the southeast and Dixon's Hill to the north. The Mount Washington Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 with a boundary increase in 2001, with five contributing buildings and four contributing structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Hills, Baltimore</span> Neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Hamilton Hills is a mixed-use suburban neighborhood located in the northeastern corner of Baltimore City, Maryland. Hamilton Hills represents a section of Hamilton, a larger historic area that includes other neighborhoods in Northeast Baltimore. The neighborhood's borders are Old Harford Road and Harford Road to the east, Echodale Avenue to the south, Perring Parkway to the west and the Baltimore County line to the north. The main thoroughfare in Hamilton Hills is Harford Road, which has been an integral part of the area's history.

Glenelg is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is located in the 21737 ZIP Code, and is part of the 410 area code. It is the home town of Glenelg High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson Island (Maryland)</span> Unincorporated community in Maryland, United States

Gibson Island is an island and unincorporated community on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States and is the eastern terminus of Maryland Route 177. It is connected by a causeway to Pasadena, Maryland. The two locations do not share a ZIP code.

Dayton is an unincorporated community located in Howard County, Maryland, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medfield, Baltimore</span> Neighborhood of Baltimore in Maryland, United States

Medfield is a neighborhood located in north Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. It is located to the north of the trendy Hampden neighborhood and south of affluent Roland Park neighborhood. Its unofficial boundaries are Coldspring Lane to the north; Jones Falls Expressway to the west; Falls Road/Hickory Avenue to the east; and West 41st Street to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evergreen, Baltimore</span> Neighborhood of Baltimore in Maryland, United States

Evergreen is a neighborhood in the North District of Baltimore, Maryland. Evergreen's buildings date from the late 19th to early 20th century. It is known as one of the first early non-rowhouse styled suburban communities in Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenwood, Howard County, Maryland</span> Unincorporated community in Maryland, U.S.

Glenwood is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., therefore attracting commuters to those employment centers. The community features acres of open space and is districted to Bushy Park Elementary, Glenwood and Folly Quarter Middle, and Glenelg High schools. Union Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and Round About Hills was added in 2008. The population in 2020 was approximately 3,416.

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.postalmuseum.si.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 18, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 2010 U.S. Census results for zip code 21794
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Community History: Community History". Archived from the original on October 23, 2010.
  4. ↑ Feaga, Barbara. Howard's Roads to the Past. p. 41.
  5. ↑ Howard County Historical Society. Images of America Howard County. p. 42.
  6. ↑ Leonard, Kevin (August 7, 2015). "Human cannonball was big attraction at Howard County Fairs held at Laurel Raceway". The Baltimore Sun.
  7. ↑ "Most expensive Baltimore-area communities [Pictures]". August 17, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "21794 Zip Code (Maryland) Profile - homes, apartments, schools, population, income, averages, housing, demographics, location, statistics, sex offenders, residents and real estate info".
  9. 1 2 3 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Wealthiest ZIP codes in the Baltimore area - Baltimore Business Journal". Archived from the original on March 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ WFVFD.ORG
  12. ↑ "West Friendship Historic Weather Averages in Maryland (21094)". Intellicast.com. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.