Historic Baltimore County Maps & Resources
Find Historic Structures & Districts
Use the My Neighborhood Interactive Map to locate historic structures, County historic districts and more.
Upon the first visit to My Neighborhood, users will be directed to download a one-time Silverlight plug-in directly from Microsoft via a link. If you are using an Apple MAC OS X and need to install Silverlight, do not use the install link provided on the application. Instead, use the following link to install the proper plug-in: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts.mspx.
Baltimore County Architectural History (PDF)
Baltimore County is rich in architectural examples, although it lost most of its water-side dwellings where the earliest settlers planted the first farmsteads and plantations. Numerous properties including houses, schools, chapels, barns, and bridges are illustrated.
The earliest types of shelter in the colonial county continues through periods of prosperity when large and elegant houses were built and architects became prominent. The information organized by the recognized architectural styles such as Georgian, Federal, Italianate, and the like, down to post-modern. Many local citizens have contributed information and illustrations.
Reports of Historic Properties
The Maryland Historical Trust has many of the reports for historic properties in Baltimore County. Search the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties surveys inventory by different criteria.
Landmarks Preservation Commission Handbook
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) includes basic information, historic guidelines, historic tax credits, and other helpful information. The handbook has been broken down into three sections for easy viewing:
- Landmarks Preservation Commission Handbook - Section 1 (PDF)
- Landmarks Preservation Commission Handbook - Section 2 (PDF)
- Landmarks Preservation Commission Handbook - Section 3 (PDF)
Bibliographies
Former County Historian John McGrain compiled extensive bibliographies of historic publications which, in most cases, are readily available from regional libraries.
- Bibliography of Baltimore County History (PDF)
- Bibliography of Industry in Baltimore and Surrounding Counties, From A to D (PDF)
- Bibliography of Industry in Baltimore and Surrounding Counties, From E to Z (PDF)
- Bibliography of Industry in Western Maryland (PDF)
- Bibliography of industry on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland (PDF)
National Register of Historic Places
Members of the Catonsville community submitted a draft nomination form for the Summit Park and Central Catonsville Historic District (PDF) to the National Park Service for review.
African American History
Mapping a Paradox
Authored by former County staff member Kimberly Abe, this document details the African-American cultural landscape in pre-Civil War Baltimore County, and includes documentation on the remaining slavery-related structures and sites.
- Introduction (PDF)
- Chapter 1 (PDF)
- Chapter 2 (PDF)
- Chapter 3 (PDF)
- Chapter 4 (PDF)
- Conclusion (PDF)
African American Thematic Report (PDF)
This Baltimore County Architectural Survey was prepared for the Baltimore County Department and the Landmarks Preservation Commission by E. H. T. Traceries on August 4, 2003.
African American Research Index (PDF)
An alphabetical index of historical events of Baltimore County African American residents, mostly from local newspapers.
Further research from E. H. T. Traceries on the African American Survey Districts. Each survey district has a link which includes pictures, maps, and important information.
Special Topics
Light Rail History and Scenery (PDF)
The Light Rail Line follows the path of Baltimore’s second railroad and threads its way through a cross-section of scenery and industrial monuments, through the valley of Jones Falls, into the downtown streets of Baltimore, past the new sports stadium, and past more industrial monuments, back into the County and on into Anne Arundel County. Every few blocks the traveler is reminded of ancient steam trains, busy company towns, worked-out quarries, city architecture, elegant old bridges, "southern" mansions, and so on to either the airport or the fringe of Glen Burnie. The rich historic associations and vintage photos are the theme of this report.
Repairing and Maintaining Historic Wood Windows (PDF)
Provides helpful information to those restoring or researching the window structures of historic homes. This packet includes rendered drawings of historic windows as well as replacement parts and restoration tools.
Revised August 29, 2011
