HARFORD COUNTY

County Offices
220 S. Main Street
Bel Air 410-638-3000
www.harfordcountymd.gov

Chamber of Commerce
108 South Bond Street
Bel Air 410-838-2020
www.harfordchamber.org

Offering a landscape of natural beauty and a rich history, Harford County showcases vintage homes and historic churches that are scattered throughout this northeast Maryland area. Known as the “Breadbasket of the Revolution,” Harford County mills once provided flour to feed George Washington’s army. Many of these historic structures are still standing today as a reminder of the county’s colorful past. In 1918, the U.S. Army established the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and Arsenal, an installation that became Harford County’s largest employer. The construction of the Conowingo Dam for the harnessing of electric power from the Susquehanna River added to the industrial development in this region.

Efficient transportation has enhanced the growth and development of Harford County, where Interstate 95 combines with U.S. Routes 1 and 40 to provide commuters with quick connections to key destinations. The influx of new business continues to expand the county’s economy, and the network of rail and highway systems make this area appealing as a prime site for commercial, industrial, and residential development. Newcomers are continually drawn to the quality and beauty of Harford County’s modern residential developments and the contrasting charm of its quaint historic districts. Conveniences like the Baltimore/Washington International Airport are less than one hour’s drive from most Harford County addresses.

Services
Newcomers to Harford County will discover state-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities that are anchored by the Upper Chesapeake Health System. The system encompasses the two non-profit hospitals that serve the county, Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and Harford Memorial Hospital. Also included in the network of facilities and services are the Chesapeake Health Foundation, Upper Chesapeake Home Care, and a managed care subsidiary that includes a network of primary care physicians and health centers. Working to combine personalized care with advanced  services, the system provides emergency care, primary care services, home care and skilled nursing, hospice, outpatient care, wellness programs, obstetrics and pediatric care, inpatient hospital care, and advanced medical technology.

Throughout the county, the commitment to quality education is evident. Schools on the primary and secondary levels stress basic skills and individual achievement by limiting class size and offering many special programs for the gifted and challenged. The Higher Education and Applied Technology or HEAT Center caters to the economic development needs of Harford and Cecil counties. Harford Community College is also one of several Maryland community colleges that provides a small business resource center and programs specifically streamlined around the needs of smaller businesses. Nearly half of the county’s college-bound high-school graduates begin their college degree program at Harford Community College. However, the average student is approximately 30 years old and balances the pursuit of a higher education with work and family responsibilities. Many students transfer to regional institutions like the University of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University, Goucher College, and Towson State University to complete their degree program or pursue graduate studies.

Quality of Life
Newcomers to Harford County receive a warm and friendly welcome to a naturally beautiful area that excels in cultural and recreational attractions. Miles of shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay combine with four state parks for fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, swimming, and tennis. The largest of the parks is the 2,500-acre Susquehanna State Park on the banks of the Susquehanna River, encompassing the Carter Mansion, Rock Run Mill, and the Jersey Toll House. Nearby is the turn-of-the-century rural farm well known as the Steppingstone Museum. Rocks State Park north of Bel Air covers 600 acres with impressive natural beauty highlighted by massive rocks and boulders flanking the banks of Deer Creek.

Seven marinas allow boaters to dock their vessels after a day’s voyage on the bay or river waterways. Recreational councils throughout the county provide nearly 100 activities and programs designed to appeal to every age group and interest. Annual events like the Fiddlers Convention, the Farm Fair, a Seafood Festival, Hydroplane Regatta, and Armed Forces Week bring friends, family, neighbors, and visitors together for great food, games, parades, competitive events, and arts and crafts. Harford County provides a popular site for seasonal and special celebrations that include the reenactment of historic battles. Military historians will want to explore the impressive exhibits on display at the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum.

In addition to popular attractions that offer a glimpse of days gone by, the county offers cultural enrichment in the form of theater, art, and musical groups as well as supportive organizations like the Harford Artist’s Association. The Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra and the Harford Choral Society provide first-rate concerts in local venues, while Harford Community College enriches the area with activities, events, and programs. Throughout the county’s cities, towns, and unincorporated areas, new residents will find a wide variety of housing options from well-kept older homes to country manors or modern subdivisions. Shopping centers and medical facilities are springing up to meet the needs of growing communities. Nearby Baltimore City adds a wealth of amenities from professional sports excitement to high fashion and world-class cultural entertainment.

Aberdeen
City Hall
410-272-1600
www.aberdeenmd.gov

Chamber of Commerce
410-272-2580
http://aberdeencc.org

The long-standing relationship with the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground has been an anchoring force in Aberdeen’s diverse and healthy economy. In recent decades, the city has become a magnet for business, distribution centers, and industry. Popular with many of the region’s first-time home buyers, Aberdeen also provides a convenient hometown atmosphere for many who are employed at the installation. Commuters appreciate the close proximity to Interstate 94 and Route 40 as well as Amtrak rail service to Washington, D.C. Shopping in local stores and plazas combines with close proximity to regional malls in Bel Air and White Marsh to meet every retail need. New residential construction ranges from single-family homes to multi-family options, while quaint bungalow-style homes reflect the charm of yesterday in older neighborhoods. Aberdeen’s strong and vital network of volunteers enhance the quality of life and made it possible for the city’s consideration for an All-American City Award.

Bel Air
City Hall
410-638-4550
www.belairmd.org

Chamber of Commerce
410-838-2020
www.harfordchamber.org

The growing city of Bel Air serves as the seat of Harford County government as well as a hub for surrounding communities, continually strengthening its financial and governmental leadership. The downtown area has been restored and revitalized to complement modern business complexes and bustling shopping malls. In spite of rapid expansion, Bel Air has managed to preserve the friendliness of a small town. Many new residential developments surround the town, contrasting beautifully with the charm of historic homes dating back to colonial days. A large selection of single-family homes in and near Bel Air were constructed from the 1960s to the present. Commuters appreciate the express bus service to Baltimore, although residents also enjoy good access to Interstate 95. Private golf and country clubs, medical facilities, good schools, a regional retail market, and cultural amenities are all close to home. Celebrating the bounty of nature, residents and visitors enjoy the Bel Air Farmers Market and visits to lush parks with hiking trails and wetlands education areas.

Fallston
County Offices
410-638-3000
www.harfordcountymd.gov

Chamber of Commerce
410-838-2020
www.harfordchamber.org

Characterized as a rural community, Fallston features a selection of spacious, single-family homes on generous lots. Equestrians will appreciate the availability of horse farms in this scenic and open area where land for new construction is still plentiful. Several shopping malls and centers are located in close proximity to Fallston, adding convenience to the relaxed pace of country living. Fallston has managed to avoid an influx of major businesses or industry, preserving the community as rural and residential. Surrounded by housing developments with homes that are primarily large and upscale, the Fallston area serves as a “bedroom” community for Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Commuting to Baltimore is convenient via Interstate 95, which offers several park-and-ride lots. Private express bus service is also available. The Fallston community has developed a number of recreational programs, and several excellent school sports facilities are also available for public use.

Havre de Grace
City Hall
410-939-1800
www.havredegracemd.com

Chamber of Commerce
410-939-3303
www.hdgchamber.com

The historic town of Havre de Grace along the banks of the Susquehanna River harmonizes picturesque neighborhoods with a charming, revitalized downtown district. Although history books seldom mention the fact, Havre de Grace lost out to Washington, D.C., by a single vote as our nation’s capital city. Today, Havre de Grace is best known as the “Decoy Capital Of The World.” Woodworkers and sculptors flock to the city each year to display their time-honored artistry in an event that draws attendees from across the globe. Less than one hour’s drive from Baltimore City on Interstate 95 and Route 40, Havre de Grace has found it easy to attract new business and industry as well as residential development. Newcomers will discover the charm of a small-town atmosphere within a reasonable commute from the Smithsonian Institute museums in the capital city, the Broadway shows of the “Big Apple,” or the tranquil Amish countryside. Both Philadelphia and Baltimore are just a 40-mile drive from Havre de Grace. Situated near the sparkling Chesapeake Bay and the riverfront, the area is a paradise for boaters and water-sports enthusiasts. Whether your interest lies in farming, sailing, or traveling as an urbanite from city to city—Havre de Grace offers an ideal location.

Jarrettsville
County Offices
410-638-3000
www.harfordcountymd.gov

Chamber of Commerce
410-838-2020
www.harfordchamber.org

Set in the northwest corner of Harford County between Baltimore County and the Pennsylvania border, the unincorporated community of Jarrettsville is primarily an expanse of farmland that is experiencing residential development. Beautiful, new estate-sized homes on prime acreage have been constructed in this area, and spacious equestrian properties punctuate the region. Jarrettsville provides a small shopping center to meet most daily needs for goods and services, although regional malls are available within a reasonable commute. The attraction of Ladew Topiary Gardens is located nearby to the south. Interstate 83 serves as the major highway for Jarrettsville residents, providing a direct southern route to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Joppatowne, Edgewood, Abingdon
County Offices
410-638-3000
www.harfordcountymd.gov

Chamber of Commerce
410-838-2020
www.harfordchamber.org

Springing up along the shoreline of panoramic Gun Powder Ridge, the water-oriented community of Joppatowne offers many recreational activities. “Joppa” offers a variety of housing styles including modern condominiums and lovely homes. The entire area and its communities are experiencing unprecedented development, evolving into a progressive suburban community of attractive neighborhoods with good schools, a local library, and convenient shopping facilities. Recreational amenities include playgrounds, parks, and marinas with launching and docking facilities. This surge of growth is an appropriate tribute to the historic significance of “Old Joppa” as Harford County’s first government seat. The nearby communities of Edgewood and Abingdon harmonize suburban and rural lifestyles that are enhanced by the rolling Bush River and its first-rate recreational opportunities for water sports.