West Friendship, Maryland
| West Friendship | |
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 West Friendship
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| Coordinates: 39°18.9′N 76°57.1′W / 39.315°N 76.9517°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Howard County |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 7.34 sq mi (19.0 km2) |
| Population [1] | |
| • Total | 2,777 |
| • Density | 378/sq mi (146/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 21794 |
| Area code | 410 |
West Friendship is an affluent semi-rural community in western Howard County, Maryland. West Friendship is located at the junction of Interstate 70/U.S. Highway 40/Maryland Route 144 and Maryland Route 32.
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[edit] 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.[2]
In the 19th Century, the main road through West Friendship was filled with travelers who could find comfort at mile houses along the route. Some came to settle; others, like 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 rough, but most residents were adept at horseback riding. Many traveled over the Frederick turnpike built in the 1790s. Empty land soon gave way to a general store and post office in West Friendship.[2]
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. West Friendship's one-room school house provided a primary education for many residents in the early 1900s. By 1925, the town's high school replaced all nearby one-room schools, and area residents came by school bus to attend one of the first consolidated schools in Howard County.[2]
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. Later in the 1950s, residents set up the groundwork for the present Howard County Fair held annually in West Friendship.[2]
[edit] Today
Strict zoning regulations have largely limited sprawl and preserved the community's rural 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, open space, woods and parks abound. 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. In 2011, West Friendship was ranked the most expensive suburb in the Baltimore metropolitan area according to the Baltimore Sun.[3] The median home sale price in July 2011 was $815,000.[4] In the newer subdivisions, homes commonly sell for over $1 million.
[edit] 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 of 7.9% of the community. The most common countries of origin were Nigeria (23%), United Kingdom (22%), Taiwan (14%) and Canada (10%).[5]
The median household income in 2009 was $169,324, one of the highest in Maryland. An estimated 0.6% of residents have an income below 50% of the poverty level.[5] Most West Friendship residents commute to work in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The mean commute is 30–34 minutes, with 88% of residents driving a car to work, and 34.7% of residents working within Howard County, Maryland.[5]
[edit] Education
West Friendship is located in the highly acclaimed 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 Glenelg Country School, Woodmont Academy (catholic school), and Glenwood Country Day School. 28% of local students attend private school.
[edit] 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. The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum is located across from the Howard County Fairgrounds.
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 field. Senior activities can be found in the Glenwood Community Center on Route 97.
West Friendship is served by the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department which has been in service since 1944.[6]
The community has a small shopping center which houses the West Friendship branch of the US Post Office, several restaurants and stores, medical offices, and a gas station. The nearby Cattail Creek Country Club serves many of the community's affluent residents.
Coordinates: 39°18′09″N 76°57′10″W / 39.3025°N 76.95278°W
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2010 U.S. Census results for zip code 21794
- ^ a b c d http://www.co.ho.md.us/PortalServices/HCG_Portal_Communities_WestFriendship.htm
- ^ http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/real-estate/bal-baltimore-most-expensive-second-2010-pg,0,1447665.photogallery
- ^ http://www.rbintel.com/statistics/zip-code-report?zip=21794
- ^ a b c http://www.city-data.com/zips/21794.html
- ^ WFVFD.ORG
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