Sykesville, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Sykesville is a town in Carroll County
, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,197 at the 2000 census.
shipbuilder William Patterson. In 1803, Patterson's daughter Elizabeth Patterson
married Napoléon Bonaparte's brother Jérôme
, but when she arrived in Europe as Jérôme's bride, Napoléon refused to let Betsy Patterson Bonaparte set foot on land. Napoleon refused the marriage of the two, and would not let Elizabeth set foot on France's soil. He was determined that Jerome marry into royalty, and sent Betsy back home. Denied by Napoleon, she was never able to see her husband again, leaving her to raise their son alone in the states. Upon the death of William in 1824, his son George Patterson inherited the estate.
In 1825, George Patterson sold 1000 acre (4 km²; 1.6 sq mi) of Springfield Estate to his friend and business associate, James Sykes.
A tract of land on the Howard County
side of the Patapsco River
contained an old saw and grist mill. In 1830 Sykes replaced it with a newer Mill and constructed a five story stone hotel, to take care of railroad personnel and the tourist trade. In 1831 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
(B&O) extended its main line to "Horse Train Stop," since Sykesville had yet to be named. Other businesses moved into the area including two general stores, new mills, churches and a post office.
In 1832 the town managed to gain control of a barn across the Patapsco River, the dividing line between Carroll
and Howard County
, but the citizens were forced to return the barn under threat of federal troops.
Much of the town was destroyed by a flood in 1868. The town was rebuilt on the Carroll county side of the river.
The town was incorporated in 1904. A weekly newspaper, the Sykesville Herald, was founded in 1913 and published regularly until the 1980s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
was 2,621.1 people per square mile (1,012.8/km²). There were 1,420 housing units at an average density of 886.8 per square mile (342.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.14% White, 4.88% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 1,390 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $66,551, and the median income for a family was $75,758. Males had a median income of $50,146 versus $35,669 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $24,395. About 2.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
mental institution is located to the east of the town.
The ex-Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
station was designed by E. Francis Baldwin
in the Queen Anne style
and built in 1883. The station was the second stop from Baltimore on the original B&O main line. The B&O ended passenger service to Sykesville in 1949. The station was later converted to a restaurant, Baldwin’s Station & Pub, which bears the name of the architect. It was the prototype
for a well-known model railroad kit.
The Sykesville Schoolhouse Museum, at 518 Schoolhouse Road, served as a one-room schoolhouse for black children from 1904 to 1938. The building is currently being restored.
The Gate House Museum of History, at 7283 Cooper Drive, served as residence for many employees at Maryland's second hospital for the insane. The hospital opened in 1896 and the gatehouse opened in 1904.
Downtown Sykesville is called "Historic Sykesville
" because at two separate points in time, Union and Confederate Armies marched through there.
Carroll County, Maryland
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 167,134. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton , signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Its county seat is Westminster....
, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,197 at the 2000 census.
History
The land on which Sykesville sits started out as part of a 3000 acres (12.1 km²) Springfield Estate, owned by wealthy BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
shipbuilder William Patterson. In 1803, Patterson's daughter Elizabeth Patterson
Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte
Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte , known as "Betsy", was the daughter of a Baltimore, Maryland merchant, and was the first wife of Jérôme Bonaparte, and sister-in-law of Emperor Napoleon I of France.-Ancestry:Elizabeth's father, William Patterson, had been born in Ireland and came to North America...
married Napoléon Bonaparte's brother Jérôme
Jérôme Bonaparte
Jérôme-Napoléon Bonaparte, French Prince, King of Westphalia, 1st Prince of Montfort was the youngest brother of Napoleon, who made him king of Westphalia...
, but when she arrived in Europe as Jérôme's bride, Napoléon refused to let Betsy Patterson Bonaparte set foot on land. Napoleon refused the marriage of the two, and would not let Elizabeth set foot on France's soil. He was determined that Jerome marry into royalty, and sent Betsy back home. Denied by Napoleon, she was never able to see her husband again, leaving her to raise their son alone in the states. Upon the death of William in 1824, his son George Patterson inherited the estate.
In 1825, George Patterson sold 1000 acre (4 km²; 1.6 sq mi) of Springfield Estate to his friend and business associate, James Sykes.
A tract of land on the Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
side of the Patapsco River
Patapsco River
The Patapsco River is a river in central Maryland which flows into Chesapeake Bay. The river's tidal portion forms the harbor for the city of Baltimore...
contained an old saw and grist mill. In 1830 Sykes replaced it with a newer Mill and constructed a five story stone hotel, to take care of railroad personnel and the tourist trade. In 1831 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
(B&O) extended its main line to "Horse Train Stop," since Sykesville had yet to be named. Other businesses moved into the area including two general stores, new mills, churches and a post office.
In 1832 the town managed to gain control of a barn across the Patapsco River, the dividing line between Carroll
Carroll County, Maryland
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 167,134. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton , signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Its county seat is Westminster....
and Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, but the citizens were forced to return the barn under threat of federal troops.
Much of the town was destroyed by a flood in 1868. The town was rebuilt on the Carroll county side of the river.
The town was incorporated in 1904. A weekly newspaper, the Sykesville Herald, was founded in 1913 and published regularly until the 1980s.
Geography
Sykesville is located at 39°22′16"N 76°58′21"W (39.371020, -76.972630).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,197 people, 1,390 households, and 1,025 families residing in the town. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,621.1 people per square mile (1,012.8/km²). There were 1,420 housing units at an average density of 886.8 per square mile (342.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.14% White, 4.88% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 1,390 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $66,551, and the median income for a family was $75,758. Males had a median income of $50,146 versus $35,669 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $24,395. About 2.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest
The Springfield Hospital CenterSpringfield Hospital Center
Springfield Hospital Center is a regional psychiatric hospital located in Sykesville, Maryland.It is operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through the Mental Hygiene Administration. The historic core of the hospital was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the...
mental institution is located to the east of the town.
The ex-Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
station was designed by E. Francis Baldwin
Ephraim Francis Baldwin
Ephraim Francis Baldwin was an American architect, best known for his work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and for the Roman Catholic Church.-Personal life:...
in the Queen Anne style
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
and built in 1883. The station was the second stop from Baltimore on the original B&O main line. The B&O ended passenger service to Sykesville in 1949. The station was later converted to a restaurant, Baldwin’s Station & Pub, which bears the name of the architect. It was the prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
for a well-known model railroad kit.
The Sykesville Schoolhouse Museum, at 518 Schoolhouse Road, served as a one-room schoolhouse for black children from 1904 to 1938. The building is currently being restored.
The Gate House Museum of History, at 7283 Cooper Drive, served as residence for many employees at Maryland's second hospital for the insane. The hospital opened in 1896 and the gatehouse opened in 1904.
Downtown Sykesville is called "Historic Sykesville
Sykesville Historic District
The Sykesville Historic District encompasses the center of Sykesville, Maryland. Sykesville is a small town in the Patapsco River valley in Carroll County, Maryland, located on the old main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad , one of the first railroad lines in the United States. The B&O train...
" because at two separate points in time, Union and Confederate Armies marched through there.
Notables
- Sykesville was the birthplace of Frank Brown, the 42nd Governor of Maryland, on August 8, 1846.
- Leo KannerLeo KannerLeo Kanner was a Jewish American psychiatrist and physician known for his work related to autism. Kanner's work formed the foundation of child and adolescent psychiatry in the U.S. and worldwide....
, child psychiatrist and autismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
researcher died there on April 3, 1981. - Scenes from the 1990 John WatersJohn Waters (filmmaker)John Samuel Waters, Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films...
film Cry-BabyCry-BabyCry-Baby is a 1990 American teen musical film written and directed by John Waters. It stars Johnny Depp as 1950s teen rebel "Cry-Baby" Wade Walker, and also features an expansive ensemble cast that includes Amy Locane, Iggy Pop, Traci Lords, Ricki Lake, Kim McGuire, David Nelson, Susan Tyrrell, and...
were filmed in Sykesville. - Scenes from the 2003 Chris RockChris RockChristopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
film Head of StateHead of State (film)Head of State is a 2003 comedy film directed, written by, and starring Chris Rock and also co-starring Bernie Mac. The film's title refers to that function of the President of the United States, the other two functions being head of government and commander in chief.-Plot:Mays Gilliam is an...
were filmed in Sykesville. - Andy Stickel, the bass player for the modern rock band 7 Blue Skies7 Blue Skies7 Blue Skies is an alternative rock band formed in 2004. The group is well known for their high energy live performances, as well as for always performing barefoot...
grew up in Sykesville but moved to Florida at the age of 13. He attended Freedom Elementary School, Sykesville Middle SchoolSykesville Middle SchoolSykesville Middle School is a public middle school of about 1,000 students located in Sykesville, Maryland. It is a member of Carroll County Public Schools. Feeder schools are: Piney Ridge Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Eldersburg Elementary and Linton Springs Elementary. It consists of sixth,...
and Oklahoma Road Middle SchoolOklahoma Road Middle SchoolOklahoma Road Middle School is a public middle school in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. It is located on the southeast corner of the county, just north of MD 26 in Eldersburg, MD.-About the School:...
. - Nan AgleNan AgleNan Hayden Agle was an American author of children's books. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Charles Swett Hayden and Emily Spencer Hayden. She was a granddaughter of the chief editorial writer for the Baltimore Sun Edward Spencer. She married Harold H. Cecil in 1925 and married John...
, author of children's books, died at the age of 100 at her home in Sykesville, Maryland, following a fall. - Doug TurnbullDoug TurnbullDouglas Clayland Turnbull, Jr. was an American lacrosse player. He was the first player, and remains one of only four, to have been named to the USILA All-America first team all four years of his college career. Turnbull played college lacrosse and football at Johns Hopkins University. In 1923, he...
, lacrosse player, died in Sykesville.