1928                             Joint Resolutions

In conjunction with the railroad and the construction of the exist-
ing station in 1856, which provided easy access to Baltimore, the
village developed through the second half of the nineteenth century
as a "summering" community complete with a summer hotel,
'Landon House.' Thus, along with the resident clergy Baltimore
business and professional men built moderate to substantial houses
with various out-buildings, and churches of several denominations
within the original platted village as well as south of Seminary
Avenue on private acreages. (Eighty structures which are archi-
tecturally of merit have been inventoried.) The range of houses in-
cludes Dr. Morris' own house, 'Oak Grove,' a substantial Gothic Re-
vival structure which he built in 1852 on a lot which he set aside
for himself next to the seminary. Rev. Heilig, the first pastor of the
Lutheran Church, built for himself 'The Octagon' which was pat-
terned after plans in an article written by Orson Fowler for Godey's
Magazine and Lady's Book in 1855. George Sadtler built on land
south of Seminary Avenue the fine 1863 Second Empire Mansard
style house which is currently threatened by demolition for garden
type apartments. The Gothic Revival style flourished through the
1870's as indicated by 302 North Avenue, a somewhat sophisticated
example of moderate houses which form Lutherville's streetscapes.
A particularly fine Georgian Revival house, 1611 Franke Avenue,
exemplifies turn of the century architecture in Lutherville. In addi-
tion, some early speculative housing is evidenced by the several
'twin' houses, often with reversed plans, neighboring one an-
other.

Despite certain adverse influences of this century, Lutherville
still retains its nineteenth century village atmosphere. Though many
lots and adjacent acreages have been subdivided resulting in the
demolition of some houses, particularly since the 1950's, there re-
mains an openness with tree lined avenues and private lanes, all
helping to provide an environment for the veritable open text book
of assorted Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles with A. J.
Downing-Calvert Vaux cottage forms prevailing, now side by side
with twentieth century Williamsburg Revival houses.

The original seminary building burned in 1911. Though it was
rebuilt, the fire marked the gradual decline of the college which was
eventually converted into a nursing home. The college's decline has
coincided with a more intensive development of the village to ac-
commodate the mid-twentieth century commuter; but the old char-
acter of Lutherville still survives, confined within the Baltimore
Beltway, Interstate 83, York Road and Ridgely Road. Presently
there is an active interest by residents, many of whom live in the
village's older houses, to preserve the community from continuing
suburban Wight and protect their late nineteenth century heritage
by promoting an historic district."

Obviously, it is of high importance to the Lutherville commu-
nity, to Baltimore County and to the entire State of Maryland that
every care be taken to preserve this attractive, unique and historic
community; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the com-
munity of Lutherville in Baltimore County be recognized as an
historical district; and be it further