Hereford Zone, Maryland
Encyclopedia
The Hereford Zone is an area in Northern Baltimore County
, Maryland
, United States
, constituting 20% of all of the land in Baltimore County
. It includes Hereford
, Parkton
, Monkton
, Freeland
, Sparks
, White Hall, Jacksonville, Upperco, and Glyndon
.
It is by far the most sparsely populated area in Baltimore County. Strict zoning laws prohibit any planned communities from developing, with large single-family housing lots and agricultural activity predominating.
Because of its higher elevation and microclimate
, the weather of The Hereford Zone is slightly different from that of the rest of the county. It is not unusual in the winter for schools in the surrounding areas to be 2 hours late, while the Hereford Zone is closed due to inclement weather.
Near the most northern part of the zone in the topmost strip where Baltimore County meets south central Pennsylvania, numerous mini tornadoes and wind storms zip through the fields unfettered by buildings or natural land changes to halt their progress. The air quality in the area is markedly different from that of the suburbs of Baltimore City to the south. Both the land elevation as it climbs from sea level to nearly 700' and the absence of smokestack manufacturing combine with the prevailing westerly winds to eliminate the yellow haze associated with low levels of pollution on even the most humid summer days.
Hereford High School, Parkton
has the only agriscience
program in the county along with Hereford Middle School. The school's mascot is the Bull, the women's teams are called the "Lady Bulls".
In the Hereford Zone Prettyboy Reservoir
covers an area of 206.5 sq/km behind the scenic Prettyboy Dam on the Gunpowder River.
The Hereford High School
varsity football team (The "Bulls") is well known throughout the state of Maryland. The Bulls have won 3 state titles in the last 9 seasons (1997, 2001, 2002). Much of this success is attributed to coach Steve Turnbaugh who turned around a formerly downtrodden Hereford football program.
Hereford High is also the host of the annual "Bull Run" Cross Country Invitational, run in the end of September, which is one of the largest East Coast cross country running events, attracting over 100 schools from surrounding states. The "grueling" course is noted for its hills, twists, turns and a steep ravine known as "The Dip", all making for what has been called "The Toughest Three Miles in Cross-Country" by John Dye of DyeStat.
Hereford Theatre has won numerous statewide awards through CAPPIES, including Best Musical 2005 for their production of Pippin. They received the award at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, MD.
The Hereford Ladies Faire and Chamber Choir are also known as one of the best award-winning choirs in the county, consistently receiving 1's in adjudications year after year.
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, constituting 20% of all of the land in Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
. It includes Hereford
Hereford, Maryland
Hereford is an unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States....
, Parkton
Parkton, Maryland
Parkton is a rural area in the northern part of Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. It borders southern York County, PA, and this border forms part of The Mason-Dixon Line...
, Monkton
Monkton, Maryland
Monkton is an unincorporated community in northern Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It has a population of about 4,856 people. It is in area, with approximately...
, Freeland
Freeland, Maryland
Freeland is an unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States....
, Sparks
Sparks, Maryland
Sparks is an unincorporated community that is located in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It is situated approximately 20 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland and is considered to be a suburb of the City of Baltimore...
, White Hall, Jacksonville, Upperco, and Glyndon
Glyndon, Maryland
Glyndon, Maryland is an unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1871 by Dr. Charles A. Leas, the village is located in the northwest section of Baltimore County and serves primarily as a residential suburb of metropolitan Baltimore City...
.
It is by far the most sparsely populated area in Baltimore County. Strict zoning laws prohibit any planned communities from developing, with large single-family housing lots and agricultural activity predominating.
Because of its higher elevation and microclimate
Microclimate
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square feet or as large as many square miles...
, the weather of The Hereford Zone is slightly different from that of the rest of the county. It is not unusual in the winter for schools in the surrounding areas to be 2 hours late, while the Hereford Zone is closed due to inclement weather.
Near the most northern part of the zone in the topmost strip where Baltimore County meets south central Pennsylvania, numerous mini tornadoes and wind storms zip through the fields unfettered by buildings or natural land changes to halt their progress. The air quality in the area is markedly different from that of the suburbs of Baltimore City to the south. Both the land elevation as it climbs from sea level to nearly 700' and the absence of smokestack manufacturing combine with the prevailing westerly winds to eliminate the yellow haze associated with low levels of pollution on even the most humid summer days.
Hereford High School, Parkton
Hereford High School, Parkton
Hereford High School is a four-year public high school located in the rural northern Baltimore County town of Parkton, Maryland, USA, as part of the Baltimore County Public Schools. The school was established in 1954....
has the only agriscience
Agricultural science
Agricultural science is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. -Agriculture and agricultural science:The two terms are often confused...
program in the county along with Hereford Middle School. The school's mascot is the Bull, the women's teams are called the "Lady Bulls".
In the Hereford Zone Prettyboy Reservoir
Prettyboy Reservoir
Prettyboy Reservoir occupies 206.5 sq/km of northern Baltimore County, Maryland, also known as the Hereford Zone. Even though the reservoir is located in the county, Baltimore City owns the reservoir and the surrounding land. The reservoir is one of three reservoirs created to supply the...
covers an area of 206.5 sq/km behind the scenic Prettyboy Dam on the Gunpowder River.
The Hereford High School
Hereford High School, Parkton
Hereford High School is a four-year public high school located in the rural northern Baltimore County town of Parkton, Maryland, USA, as part of the Baltimore County Public Schools. The school was established in 1954....
varsity football team (The "Bulls") is well known throughout the state of Maryland. The Bulls have won 3 state titles in the last 9 seasons (1997, 2001, 2002). Much of this success is attributed to coach Steve Turnbaugh who turned around a formerly downtrodden Hereford football program.
Hereford High is also the host of the annual "Bull Run" Cross Country Invitational, run in the end of September, which is one of the largest East Coast cross country running events, attracting over 100 schools from surrounding states. The "grueling" course is noted for its hills, twists, turns and a steep ravine known as "The Dip", all making for what has been called "The Toughest Three Miles in Cross-Country" by John Dye of DyeStat.
Hereford Theatre has won numerous statewide awards through CAPPIES, including Best Musical 2005 for their production of Pippin. They received the award at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, MD.
The Hereford Ladies Faire and Chamber Choir are also known as one of the best award-winning choirs in the county, consistently receiving 1's in adjudications year after year.