Introduction to Dundalk, Maryland
Dundalk is an unincorporated community located in Baltimore County, Maryland. Part of the Baltimore metropolitan area, Dundalk is situated only 7 miles east of Maryland's largest city. The community is surrounded by Interstate I-695 (the Beltway), Interstate I-95, and Maryland State Highways 20 and 150. Dundalk is the home of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC).
Dundalk's origins go back to the year 1895, when Henry McShane relocated his world famous bell foundry to the area, shortly to be followed by the Baltimore and Sparrows Point Railroad, which needed a name for the local depot. The McShane family chose the name of Henry's birthplace (Dundalk, Ireland). In 1916, Bethlehem Steel Company purchased 1,000 acres of farmland in the area to develop housing for its shipyard workers. The Dundalk Company was organized to formulate a town and in 1917, Dundalk proper was founded. At the time of its formation, the new community had 62 houses, two stores, a post office, and a telephone exchange.
Attractions in and near Dundalk
The Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society Museum houses a permanent display depicting a living room of the late 1800s. A larger portion of the museum is devoted to continually changing exhibits of artifacts and photograph displays. A wide variety of programs, including tours, are also offered at the museum. The Dundalk Farmers market runs yearly beginning on the first Saturday in July and running through the last Saturday in October. Featured are vegetables, fruits, and nuts from local farmers and fresh bread and pastries from local bakers. Performing arts in Dundalk can be enjoyed at the Dundalk Community Theater, located on the CCBC campus.
There is also a wealth of attractions in the surrounding Greater Baltimore metropolitan area. Just a few of these are listed here:
- Baltimore Maritime Museum: Located at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, tours are offered of the USS Torsk, the USCGC Taney, the Lightship Chesapeake and more
- Baltimore Museum of Art: More than 90,000 pieces on display including works by Picasso, Matisse and Renoir
- Maryland Science Center: Another Inner Harbor attraction features interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX 3-D theater
- National Aquarium in Baltimore: An aquatic wonderland of exotic and native Maryland species
- Cascade Lake: Fishing, picnicking, and a swimming are with waterslides, a high-dive platform, and floating rafts
- Babe Ruth Museum
- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
- The U.S. Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame
The Greater Baltimore metro area is also a haven for fans of pro sports. The following teams all call Baltimore home:
- Football: Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
- Baseball: Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
- Soccer: Baltimore Blast (MISL)
- Basketball: Baltimore Pearls (ABA)
- Lacrosse: Baltimore Bayhawks (MLL)