INTRODUCTION
Perry Hall is located in Northeast Baltimore County. It is a prominent community with many businesses. Its boundaries are often confused with that of White Marsh because they share many things, including White Marsh Mall. Even though it is named White Marsh Mall, Perry Hall and White Marsh boundaries cut through the mall. Most people know that Perry Hall is a old town.
The town was established before it was called Perry Hall. Perry Hall has had many names, Germantown being one. The town was finally called Perry Hall in 1775 after Perry Hall mansion, started by Corbin Lee and finished by Harry Dorsey Gough. Gough named it after his home Staffordshire, England Perry Hall. (McGrain, p.58)
HISTORY
Perry Halls earliest records of settlement are the Susquehannock Indians. The Susquehannock Indians settled near what was then called Gunpowder River Valley; now called Gunpowder Falls State Park. In 1608, Captain John Smith lead the first European exploration of Gunpowder River Valley. In 1658, the first Europeans began to settle in the Gunpowder River Valley. In 1669, Henry Howard acquired 200 acres of land, later called Cullenbourne.
In 1681, George Lingan purchased 1,000 acres of land near Great Gunpowder Falls, which will become later the Perry Hall estate. In 1697, one of the Indian sightings in Baltimore County was recorded, when Charles Hewitt testified that Susquehannock Indians raided his home in Perry Hall. (Marks, p.159)
During the time of 1700-1759 things began to fall into place in this small town of what is now Perry Hall. Industries were starting, such as forges, furnaces, and farms. In 1729, The Maryland General Assembly created Baltimore Town, later becoming Baltimore County. In 1731, The Baltimore Company opened the regions first iron furnace in Gwynns Falls. In 1749, a flood swept through The Great Gunpowder Falls region and Ellis 3destroys many buildings, including the Gunpowder Iron Works.
Also in 1749, Nottingham Furnace was up and running. In 1752, a devastating fire destroyed Nottingham Furnace. In 1754, Baltimore County Court granted Selah Barton to operate a ferry over Long Calm at the Great Gunpowder Falls. In 1757, the Nottingham Forge was opened on the Great Gunpowder Falls. In 1759, Cullenbourne was sold to the Nottingham Company. (Marks,p.159)
During the years of 1760-1850, Perry Hall was going through a religious revolution, also the town was still going through its industrial period. In 1760, Robert Strawbridge, a Methodist missionary, went to northeastern Baltimore County and converted many slaves and backcountry residents. In 1774, Harry Dorsey Gough purchased the 1,000 acres, once owned by George Lingan, and renames it Perry Hall. In 1780, Nottingham Furnace and Forge was confiscated as British Property.
In 1784, the Methodist church was formally organized and Francis Asbury was named bishop. In 1807, Camp Meeting Chapel was built. In 1880, Harry Dorsey Gough died, he was born in 1745. In 1812, the first cannon fires were heard in Perry Hall during the British invasion of Baltimore. In 1814, Gunpowder Copper Works was up and running, producing materials for the Ellis 4U.S. Navy during the War of 1812. In 1817, the Joppa Iron Works is operating. In 1824, fire destroyed the Perry Hall mansion. In 1832, fire destroyed the Joppa Iron Works. In 1848, Camp Chapel closed until 1850. (Marks,p.159-160)
During the time between 1850-1900, Perry Hall was called Germantown. This was when German and Irish immigrants settled in Perry Hall, also when new religions were introduced to the people of Perry Hall. In 1850, Catholics began to congregate at the Krastel farmhouse, this represent the start of St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church.
The year 1852 was the turning point in local history, when Harry Dorsey Gough Carroll, Harry Dorsey Goughs grandson, sold the Perry Hall estate to Eli Slifer and William Meredith. They divided the estate between new European immigrants. In 1858, the dam at Long Calm due to flooding and destroys Gunpowder Furnace. In 1859, Lutherans begin organizing St. Michael Lutheran Church. In 1866, Baltimore City purchased the Gunpowder Copper Works. In 1874, Baltimore Countys commissioners approve the first public school in Germantown. In 1876, the Akehurst family began Perry Halls first nursery. In 1877, George Penn became Germantowns first postmaster. In 1878, local residents organized Germantown Building and Loan. A Ellis 5second Perry Hall School opens in 1890. In 1895, residents formed the Perry Hall Permanent Building and Loan Association. (Marks,p.160-161)
During the early part of the Twentieth Century, 1900-1945, Perry Hall was undergoing several technological changes. In 1914, the Baltimore Embroidery Company began production. In 1915, MacMahon Brothers starts a bus service that runs through Perry Hall. Many Perry Hall farmers are forced into the service in 1918, when America becomes involved. In 1925, the Crystal Palace opens. In 1932, the Berg dairy opens. In 1933, there was a mysterious fire destroying the Crystal Palace. In 1941, World War II forces at least 215 Perry Hall residents to enlist in the military, only 4 out of 215 deaths were reported. (Marks,p.161)
During 1945-1980 Perry Hall was going through a postwar growth. In 1946, the Kingsville-Perry Hall Rotary Club was chartered to Fork Christian Church. In 1949, the Perry Hall Improvement Association (PHIA) starts its annual Halloween parade. In 1953, the Kingsville-Perry Hall Lions Club is chartered to Kingsville Inn. In 1954, Baltimore Countys commissioners extended sewerage to most of Perry Hall. In 1956, Perry Hall Elementary School opens, also Perry Hall Medical Group open a professional center. In 1961, Perry Halls first shopping center opens. In 1962, Chapel Hill Ellis 6Elementary School opens.
In 1963, Perry Hall Senior High School opens, also community leaders dedicate the Perry Hall Library. In 1968, fire destroys Perry Halls A&P grocery store. In 1969, construction on Perry Halls first apartment complex, Chapel Manor, began. Gunpowder Elementary School opens and a mysterious fire destroys part of Berg dairy in 1970. In 1971, Hurricane Agnes causes White Marsh Run to flood. (Marks,p.161-162)
Since 1980 Perry Hall has been about becoming more modernized. In 1981, White Marsh Mall was opened, it was one of the largest malls on the East Coast. In 1983, fire destroyed the original Camp Chapel Methodist Church. In 1984, Waldmans Seven-Mile House to build a office building and townhouses. In 1986, White Marsh Health Center and White Marsh Business Center were opened. In 1987, the White Marsh public library and police station opened, also Perry Hall Merchant Association began. In 1989, Nottingham branch of the U.S. Postal Service opened. In 1990, Joppa View Elementary School opened, also five movie theaters were opened in Perry Hall Square Shopping Center and Republicans made gains in local elections. In 1997, the Perry Hall Business and Professional Association (PHBPA)
Ellis 7held the first town fair and a new town logo was unveiled there. In 1999, the Perry Hall mansion and Camp Chapel Church were declared historical landmarks and in 2000 Perry Hall celebrated its 225th anniversary as a named community. (Marks,p.162-163)
DEMOGRAPHICS
The 1996 population estimates (000s) for the Perry Hall/White Marsh area was 50.2 (BC by the Numbers: A Demographic Study of BC- 1998-1999,p.63). Perry Halls calculated population in 1990 was 22,723: males- 10,973, females- 11,750. The racial composition is: White- 21,149 (93.1%), Black- 592 (2.6%), American Indian- 9 (0.0%), Asian/Pacific- 941 (4.1%), Other- 32 (0.1%), and Hispanic- 294 (1.3%).
CHURCHES & SCHOOLS
Perry Halls religious ancestry is Methodist. It was at Perry Hall Ellis 8Mansion that plans for the Methodist Church of America were developed by Francis Asbury, Harry Dorsey Gough, and a handful of early Methodist leaders. These pioneers helped start Camp Chapel Church, which was followed by Perry Hall United Methodist Church in 1866. Methodism was the main religion in Perry Hall until 1850, when many German and Irish families settled here. They brought with them the religions of Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. Between 1850 and 1870, three new churches were built in Perry Hall. (Marks,online)St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church began in 1850.
The first services were held in the Krasten farmhouse near Fullerton. When this became too small, the growing parish moved to a new location and this site was used until 1971, when the current building was completed. Germantown Lutheran Church, or known now as St. Michaels Lutheran Church, began March 7, 1859. Perry Hall Presbyterian Church, organized in 1856, was an outreach effort for Hamilton Presbyterian Church.
By Easter Sunday, 1957, a three-car garage next to the Manse had been renovated into Fellowship Hall. This was used until 1966, when the present sanctuary was dedicated. Perry Halls first Baptist congregation was organized in 1957. Ground was broken in 1960 for Perry Hall Baptist Church. These are Perry Halls largest Ellis 9organized churches. Local churches are united under the Perry Hall Ministerium. (Marks,online)
Perry Hall now has five elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Chapel Hill Elementary School was built in 1962, Gunpowder Elementary School opened in 1970, Seven Oaks and Joppa View Elementary Schools were first used in the 1990 school year, and Perry Hall Elementary School opened in 1956. Perry Hall Middle School is on what used to be Perry Hall Senior High School. Perry Hall Senior High School opened in 1963, it has been operating at its present location since 1967. For many years, Perry Hall was one of the few communities where its three public schools were located on the same street. (Marks,online)
BOUNDARIES
As presently defined, Perry Hall includes that region of northeastern Baltimore County bordered by the Great Gunpowder Falls on the north, Philadelphia Road on the east, White Marsh Run on the south, and the Baltimore Gas and Electric transmission lines on the west. Immediately west of Perry Hall is Carney, named for Thomas and Mary McDermot Carney. To the north of Perry Hall, just across the Gunpowder River, are the rural, Ellis 10rolling hills of Glen Arm and Baldwin. East of Perry Hall is Kingsville, named for Abraham King. To the south is White Marsh, which takes its name from the White Marsh Plantation established by Captain Charles Ridgely in 1659. (Marks,online)
TRANSFORMATION PROCESS
Perry Hall went from a town with dirt roads and wooden, shack farmhouses to one of the most prominent towns in Baltimore County. They went from paying $200 for a tract of land to paying $150,327 for a three bedroom, single home. Perry Hall is a historical town but since the beginning they have done nothing but modernize. They demolished Waldmans Seven-Mile House to make way for townhouses and Bishops Inn for a Kentucky Fried Chicken.
HEALTH
The health of Baltimore county is better than Baltimore City. Every week in Baltimore County 80 people are diagnosed with cancer, 39 people die from heart disease, 14 mothers give birth to a low birth weight baby, 1 Ellis 11person is diagnosed with AIDS, and 1 person is diagnosed with syphilis. Most people in Baltimore County are overweight: 34% of females and 42% of males. Between 1997-1998 5 girls between the ages of 15-17 gave birth.
CRIME
Perry Hall is policed by the 9th Precinct. To date this year no homicides have been reported. The thing that people have to worry about is burglary and theft. This year 189 cases of burglary and 566 cases of theft have been reported. Perry Hall isnt a bad town but you are going to have crime wherever you go. (Crime Stats by Community, online)
PLACES OF INTEREST
There are many places of interest in Perry Hall. Two would be White Marsh Mall and The Avenue at White Marsh. They are places to hang-out with friends, go shopping, watch a movie, or get something to eat. Two more places of interest are Perring Plaza, many people go there for the Wendys, and Perry Hall Square Shopping Center, many people go there for the tennis shoe warehouse.
SUMMARY
Perry Hall is a prominent town filled with housing projects and businesses. To live in Perry Hall means that you have some sort of money. Perry Hall has a long history which in turn gives them many historical buildings. The health and crime factors in Perry Hall are good numbers compared to Baltimore City. Compared to Baltimore City the population is rather low.
Bibliograph
- Crime Stas by Community. Online. 08-08-2000.
- Hoffmeister, Anna E. Perry Hall. Villages of Northeast Baltimore County. PerryHall: Baltimore County Savings Bank, 1989.
- Kaminkow, Marion J. Perry Hall. Maryland A to Z. Baltimore: Magna CartaBook Co., 1985.
- Marks, David. Crossroads: The History of Perry Hall, MD. Baltimore: GatewayPress, Inc., 1999Marks, David. Baltimore County Public Library Website. Online. 08-07-2000Maryland State. Baltimore County Public Schools. School Directory 1998-1999.
- Towson:State of Maryland, 1998.
- Maryland State. Baltimore County Department of Health. Health Profile & SelectDemographics for Baltimore County, Maryland. Baltimore: State ofMaryland, 1993.
- Maryland State. Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. Baltimore County bythe Numbers: A Demographic Study of Baltimore County- 1998-1999.
- Towson: State of Maryland, 1999.
- Maryland State. Baltimore County Department of Health. Health Profile Update.
- Baltimore: State of Maryland, 1999. McGrain, John W. Perry Hall. A Glossary of Place Names in Baltimore County.
- Towson: Baltimore County Office of Planning, June 1999.
