What is it like to be a part of such a great community like Gray Manor in Dundalk, Maryland? I have been asked this question many times over the course of my Real Estate career. So many times in fact that I decided to write this short description for potential new home buyers thinking about moving in to this community!
Gray manor encompasses over 600 homes bordered by Northpoint Rd, Trappe Rd, Woodwell W, and German Hill rd in Eastern Baltimore County. It offers a wide variety of housing and well as i and necessities within close proximity. The closeness of schools, churches, stores and services, as well as the affordability of homesmakes this one of the most popular neighborhoods in Dundalk. 
If you are a history buff, there are many stories that surround this community-of 
course the most popular being that of the Battle of North Point in the War of 1812, which actually occurred in September of 1814. A monument erected on "Battle Acre" is dedicated to those that fought to Defend Baltimore and had the British retreat in just 1 day! The next night was the Battle at Ft McHenry which was the point in the war where the British were driven from Baltimore.
Another marker erected is on a field near the corner of Northpoint and German Hill. This marke
r was erected to mark the "Battle Ground Methodist Episcopal Church" which was used by both armies as a hospital during and after the famous battle in 1814.
A large parcel of land, now owned by the Historical Society will be preserved commemorating the great battle here led by General John Stricker, who is the Namesake for the Middle School that services the Gray Manor Community. You can get much more information on the Battle of North Point from the BC Public Library or Eagle Heritage.
Gray Manor was surveyed and plotted in the early and mid 1940's, although there are several homes that date into the 1920's. I had the opportunity to meet the son, now almost 70, of the man that worked to lay out the original plat of the Gray Manor Community. He lived, with his family in a farm house located approximately where the Charlesmont Pool is currently. He remembered walking the area with his father and helping set the grids of where homes were to be built. He recounted stories of finding many artifacts at the time, like arrow heads and musket balls.
There is a wide variety of housing available in the Gray Manor Community. This corner home on Oakwood rd is an example of the earlier homes, built in 1926. You can find these homes 
scattered throughout the community, although the majority of homes were built just after WW II. The post War homes comprise mostly bungalows and Cape Cods with 2 or 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. These homes became occupied quickly as they were built to accommodate the growing steel industry in the Dundalk area.
Many homes purchased new in this area are actually still in the families of the ancestors. I have talked with many of my neighbors to find that their homes were either passed down through the generations or sold within the family after the owners deceased. This adds much to the heritage and history of the Gray Manor Community, as well as what makes the Community so popular.
When homes are for sale outside a family, normally they will sell quickly. I have sold many homes in this community and find that homes generally receive much attention while being marketed. It was funny that last year I sold 2 homes to children and grand-children of parents that lived on the same block, so if the house is not being passed down family will at least move close when available. This adds so much to the sense of community in Gray Manor.
Do you like to feel like you have some space? Most of the yards in Gray Manor are large as compared to many communities. 5000-7500SF is normal for most properties. This allows space for a garage, a pool, a work shed or just about anything that you might want in your yard. Although the majority of yards are fenced, this is not to keep neighbors away, but usually to keep the family pet in. Being a very Family oriented community, cats and dogs are very popular.
It's nice that even though you feel away from the city, amenities you want are still close at hand. Gray Manor Park is just off Woodwell west and offers plenty of room for family outings and a wide variety of activities through the Baltimore Park & Recreation. The new Battle Field park will be added as well as work is done to preserve the area at Northpoint and Trappe Roads.
Do you need to be within a short distance of shopping? Walmart, Drug City, Mars Grocery and many other businesses are located nearby for your shopping convenience. Our Dundalk Walmart is one of the highest volume Walmarts in the Country. Of course, I couldn't get through a blog like this without mentioning one of the hottest flea markets in Eastern Baltimore County. Plaza Flea Market is next door to Walmart and is a great place to spend some time on the weekends.
You can get more information on this area and Dundalk checking these links:
My Dundalk.com Dundalk Eagle Gray Manor Community & Business Group Localism.com
I would say this a thumbnail sketch of what you can expect being a part of the Gray Manor Community in Dundalk. We have enjoyed living in this community and I recommend it to anyone looking for their first or next home. I would be happy to assist you in finding that perfect place call HOME.
Stephen D Luckett
LuckNet Real Estate Group
443-384-6000 office 443-912-4866 cell
Baltimore County Real Estate, Nottingham Real Estate, Perry Hall Real Estate, White Marsh Real Estate, Parkville Real Estate, Dundalk Real Estate, Sparrows Point Real Estate, Miller's Island Real Estate, Middle River Real Estate, Essex Real Estate, Rosedale Real Estate, Baltimore City Real Estate, Harford County Real Estate, Fallston Real Estate, Bel Air Real Estate, Anne Arundel County Real Estate, Real Estate Investor, Real Estate Settlement
;)
;)
;)
Enjoyed your comments on Gray Manor.
My family moved to 319 Pinewood Rd just after the War. Dad first worked at Dundalk Cleaners at Holibird and Dundalk Ave. The trolly cars still ran down the median of Dundalk Ave. I loved to got to Dundalk Proper to Kresges (?sp). As I got older we would catch the "Blue bus" (dundalk bus) at the corner of Pinewood and Woodwell, transfer to the "yellow bus (city bus) in order to go to the movies in Dundalk. All of us little kids...but no problem at all.
I was about 1 1/2 years old when we moved there, until I was about 11. At first we lived on a closed "cul-de-sac" although we called it a dead end. All the kids around the "dead end" end of the Road played baseball in the street. because the street was wide there is was perfect for that. And played under the street light at night.
I remember looking through the tall chainlink fence of our yard that bordered Mr Stingles farm house. He raised asparagas in the field next to our house. We always had 'wild' asparagas growing in our flower beds.
I remember mom's hollyhocks...that I was allowed to pick from time to time. I would pick at least one of each color then pick as many unbloomed buds with a bit of stem left on. I'd make a small hole in the base of the bloomed flower and insert the "head" to make a lady in a beautiful ball gown. I'l have a whole ballroom full of dancing ladys in their beautiful gowns. I remember making clover flower chains for braceletts and head bands.
I remember when all the row houses were built and we lost our 'dead end'. Mr Stingle either died or sold and we would play around the barn before it was torn down. He had a pile of real slate that we loved to play in.
Then his house was used for a Day Care. Awful waste of a beautiful house.
I remember when they cleared the land at Trappe road and Lynch on the side of the creek where they were going to build more rowhouses. They found a grave and grave stone of a girl buried in 1818 if I remember correctly. I don't know what they did with her remains, but the old house she lived in and her grave stone was left there for quite a while for the kids to ramble through. We were fascinated with her stone.
Oddly for as long as I remember I was fascinated with the cannon at the War of 1812 memorial, but not once did any of my teachers tell us how important that "little skirmish" was to our American history. Never knew we were playing on hallowed ground. I was an adult before I found out that history.
I have so many memories, like being a first grader in 1950 when Gray Manor Elem school opened it's doors for the first time. We could play all over Gray Manor and never got into real trouble and were safe. If I did anything I shouldn't have been doing, my parents knew about it before i got home...but I had already been corrected by who ever saw me do something. All parents looked after all the kids...it didn't matter.
Very good memories. Thanks for allowing me to wander down memory lane with someone who can understand those things. :-D
I live in Silver Springs Florida now...and love it. But I suppose there will always be a special spot in your heart for the place you spent your formative years.
Blessings to you and yours,
Joanna