In the mid-18th century, York Road became a vital transportation route for farmers traveling from Baltimore County to the City markets. Shortly thereafter, the first crossroad village, Govans, was established. Over the next 150 years, Govans became a thriving community for farmers, summering elites, and middle-class workers. During the 1890s, when the streetcar was electrified, area residential housing began to cater to suburbanites.
The 20th century saw this conglomeration of new suburban developments grow into the neighborhoods we see today. After WWII, white flight changed the neighborhoods on the east side of York Road from a predominantly white to black community. Wilson Park was the exception, as it was specifically developed for black middle-class residents. Today, the York Road communities, while still tackling the impacts of the east/west split, boasts high percentages of homeownership, allows easy access to both the City and County, and provides a suburban style living experience within City limits.
The York Road neighborhoods have access to a myriad of nearby amenities and community facilities. There are three schools available, the Walter P. Carter Elementary School and Middle School, the Govans Elementary School and Middle school, and the Tunbridge Elementary School and Middle School. Thanks to its advantageous location in North Baltimore, this community is home to lush green spaces such as Dewees Park and Recreation Center, Alhambra Park, and Willow Avenue Park.  Nailah’s Kitchen, Noir Restaurant and Lounge, and Heritage Smokehouse are some of the great restaurant options discoverable along the 5600 and 5800 blocks of York Road.
York Road is roughly a fifteen-minute drive away from Downton Baltimore and Towson, with easy access to the CityLink RED Bus Route from Downtown to Towson/Lutherville along York Road. With a short five minute drive, residents can go to Belvedere Square, the Senator Theatre, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, the Govans Summer Farmers Market, Enoch Pratt Free Library-Govans Branch, and more.
The York Road community features a diverse range of housing types, including public housing. Providing opportunities for households of all sizes and income levels, housing types include single-family homes, semi-detached townhomes, row houses, duplexes, condominiums, garden apartments, high-rise apartments, and apartments above retail.
This section of York Road boasts well-established neighborhood associations, a high functioning umbrella organization in the York Road Partnership, a new Business Improvement District, and anchor institutions in Loyola University Maryland and Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO). Boasting two new 21st Century schools, convenient vehicular access to various amenities, affordable and diverse housing stock, and acres of public green space, the York Road communities are truly hidden gems of the North Baltimore area.
Healthy Neighborhoods is partnered with York Road Partnership.
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