Towson, Maryland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 51,793 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Baltimore CountyGR6. It's also one of the largest unincorporated county seats in the United States.
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[edit] History
The community of Towson began about 1750 when two brothers, William and Thomas Towson, emigrated from Pennsylvania and started farming on Satyr's Hill, to the northeast of York and Joppa Roads. In 1768 Thomas' son, Ezekiel built a large tavern at the crossroads, just north of where the Recher Theater is now. A small village called "Towsontown" began to grow around it, serving area farmers who traveled on York, Dulaney Valley, and Joppa Roads.
In 1790, the Ridgely family completed the magnificent Hampton Mansion, then the largest home in America.[1] On the estate, other buildings were erected by the Chews, Shealeys, Schmucks, Phipps, Paynes, Lees, Bowens, Wares, and Bosleys. In 1839, Epsom Chapel became the first house of worship for the community. (It was demolished in 1950, making way for Towson Plaza, now Towson Town Center.)
A new era began in 1854 when the Court House construction started and Towson officially became the Baltimore County Seat. Numerous buildings were built in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, giving the community a distinctive 19th Century atmosphere that is still visible.
As the area is adjacent to Baltimore City, some amenities in the City are commonly thought to be part of the Towson area, such as the nearby Senator Theater.
Major neighborhoods in Towson include Anneslie, Rodgers Forge, Stoneleigh, Wiltondale, Southland Hills, Hunt Crest Estates, East Towson, and West Towson. Ruxton, which lies to the west, is sometimes considered a part of Towson.
[edit] Geography
Towson is located at (39.392980, -76.609562)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 36.8 km² (14.2 mi²). 36.4 km² (14.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.06%) is water.
The community is located immediately north of Baltimore City, inside the Beltway (I-695), east of I-83 and along York Road. Its census boundaries include Pikesville to the west, Lutherville-Timonium and Hampton to the north, Parkville to the east, and Baltimore to the south.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 51,793 people, 21,063 households, and 11,331 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,424.3/km² (3,688.7/mi²). There were 21,997 housing units at an average density of 604.9/km² (1,566.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.9% White, 7.53% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.45 Chinese, 4.70 Korean American, 1.0 Asian Indian (7.15 Total Asian pop.), 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.91% of the population.
There were 21,063 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 17.4% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,775, and the median income for a family was $75,832. Males had a median income of $49,554 versus $38,172 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,502. About 2.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Towson's Population History
- 1960....19,090
- 1970....77,768
- 1980....51,083
- 1990....49,445
- 2000....51,793
- ↑ Census Boundaries in 1970 extended beyond the community proper.
[edit] Shopping and Entertainment
- Towson Town Center
- Towson Commons
- Recher Theater
- Ten Car Pile Up
[edit] Library
Baltimore County Public Libraries
Towson Library
[edit] Education
[edit] Public Schools
Towson is served by the Baltimore County Public Schools.
High schools
Middle schools
- Dumbarton Middle School
- Loch Raven Middle School
Elementary schools
- Rodgers Forge Elementary
- Stoneleigh Elementary
- Pleasant Plains Elementary
- Cromwell Valley Elementary
- Ridge Ruxton School
[edit] Private Schools
[edit] Colleges and universities
[edit] Notable Residents and Natives
- Spiro Agnew, Vice President, born in Towson in 1918.
- Jane Frank (Jane Schenthal Frank) (1918-1986), artist
- William Purington Cole, Jr., U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District, 1927-1929 & 1931-1942. Born in Towson on May 11, 1889.
- Michael Phelps, 2004 Olympic swimmer
- Johnny Unitas (1941-2002), Hall of Fame NFL quarterback (Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers)
- Albert Cassell (1895-1969) architect
[edit] Trivia
- Elaine Benes, of the 1990s NBC sitcom Seinfeld, is from Towson.
- In the Splinter Cell novels by Raymond Benson, the character of Sam Fisher resides in a Townhouse in the southern part of Towson.
- Harris Glen Milstead, aka Divine, who was made famous by director John Waters in movies such as Pink Flamingos and Hairspray is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
- Famed NBA player, Carmello Anthony attended Towson Catholic High School.
- Towson was the last place of residence of artist Jane Frank (1918-1986)
[edit] Sources
[edit] External links
- Towson.com
- Towson Town Center
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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