Then and Now: Orchard Hills (Part I)

If you’re shopping for a new home in the Orchard Hills neighborhood of Lutherville, rewind the clock 60 years and see what you could have bought.

“Nestling on gentle hills near Towson and Ruxton shopping, your Orchard Hills home is on the site of the famous ‘Egypt Farms,’ where fruit-bearing apple trees abound!” chirped the original brochure.

The brochure from the 1950s didn’t specify how many of those apple trees they’d have to cut down to build one of the seven different designs, by Baltimore architect Benjamin Brotman (born, charmingly, on Christmas Day in 1915), that the first homeowners could purchase for $14,000. What it says instead is, “All original Egypt Farm apple trees left in place where possible.”

But the brochure was clear about the colorful bathroom tiles and the formica-topped vanities, the handsome, finished stairways, the weather-stripped windows, screen doors (“front and back”) and “plentiful electrical outlets.”

And yours at no extra cost —“An Orchard Hills exclusive! The finest, most beautiful of ranges. The new Chambers Range!” Apparently such a gas range could turn your cooking space into “a truly dream kitchen.”

How many current Orchard Hills residents still cook on their original gas Chambers range?

Stephanie Boblooch doesn’t.

Boblooch, who has lived in Orchard Hills since 1977 and served as the community association president for 20 years, has long since renovated her kitchen, including the range. But she did like the idea of keeping a gas range.

“When we renovated, we kept the gas stove,” she said. “I just like it better. Years ago, we used to lose the power all the time when it stormed. And that’s why I liked the gas stove.”

Boblooch admitted that many of the home’s original appliances were mid-century gold in color, and have since been updated to black or white.

Boblooch lives with her husband in the “split-level home of airy spaciousness” whose design was called “The Calvert.” They are the third owners of the home. It is “unequaled in split-level design, for lightness, brightness, and an inspiring sense of space and freedom.”

Wait, that’s the brochure talking again.

“As you enter the foyer of this gay-spirited home, you are greeted by a vista of spaciousness.”

Stop it, brochure.

 “I don’t know that I’d say it’s spacious and airy,” said Beth George, who has lived in Orchard Hills for much of her life and owns the same style house. “Compared to what? It’s all relative to your perspective on things.”

George’s kitchen appliances were also gold.

“A lovely shade of gold,” she added playfully.

The Next Few Decades

In 1979 and the 1980s, Orchard Hills seemed quite chatty.

The community newsletter, then called "The New Orchard," had lots of nice things to say, in October 1979, about Seymour Bowen on Othoridge Road. Seymour was a neighborhood dog who was recuperating from a hind leg injury, and who “would not dream of relieving himself while on a leashed walk.”

Several months later, the newsletter talked up a good neighbor, William O’Brien, who also lived on Othoridge Road. “Born 76 years ago, neither Mr. O’Brien nor his friends seem to mind the 60-plus gap in their ages. Mr. O’Brien always has a cupboard full of Oreos, gum, Kool-Aid, and things beloved of children of all ages.”

Mr. O’Brien would be 107 now, and would probably be sad to know that his habit of entertaining the neighborhood youngsters would, today, likely have a different ring.

In April 1980, the newsletter gave out belated thanks to Charles Strodtman of Westbury Road for helping Santa Claus arrive, at Westbury Circle, on a engine the past December 15. Of course, it was Strodtman himself who donned the suit and white beard, but the newsletter was careful with its wording in case any little eyes perused it.

“Many thanks to Mr. Strodtman, who was responsible for Santa’s appearance,” said the newsletter mysteriously.

In June 1980, recipes for “Creamy Peach Cup” and “Fruit Delight” were shared on the back page. Also, helpful tips for getting the most out of your new power mower appeared on page 2. The newsletter reminded you to watch out for gravel driveways and small children.

Carla, Laurie, Marcy, Tracey, Michelle and Lisa were all happy to be your babysitter. Their ages and phone numbers were listed – the oldest was only 15.

In February 1984, the neighborhood’s Roving Restauranteur posted a review of Beefsteak Charlie’s.

“If you have a family that eats a lot, this is the place to take them,” advised the newsletter. “It was so much to eat that I brought my chicken home for lunch the next day. And, if you want to try something yummy, order the Amaretto coffee.”

In the 1980s, the original Orchard Hills community expanded to include the neighboring communities of Devonshire Forest and Towsonvale, which had no community association and were concerned about their representation in fighting zoning issues. Orchard Hills now extended for the entire distance between Bellona Avenue and York Road.

Being immediately off York Road, business development was often a concern – and still is. Boblooch noted that her most stressful times as president included her letter-writing campaigns to oppose zoning requests.

Also in the 1980s, the holiday tree was planted at Westbury Circle, the tradition of yearly neighborhood yard sales began, and the Neighborhood Watch was enacted. There was, and still is, a costume-judging party on Halloween, community-wide dumpsters for occasional clean-up days, a picnic in September and an Easter Egg hunt in the spring.

Today, the Orchard Hills newsletter still exists, in a different form. It’s available online as a PDF, which automatically feels a little less chatty, though it’s still occasionally tucked into mailboxes as a few stapled pieces of paper. Today, it’s lighter on neighborly announcements and heavier on straight-up information, like who’s your neatest notary public, insurance salesman, handyman or babysitter.

There’s only one babysitter listed now.

Residents, however, are quick to claim a sense of community, even if the newsletter seems dry.

“I was actually just saying to my husband today how much I love the location of our house,” said Jennifer Fryer, the current president of the community association. “It is a very family-oriented neighborhood where people wave to each other as they drive by. “

Fryer feels comfortable allowing her children to play outside.

“Our kids and play with other kids in the neighborhood, and know the people they live around,” she said. “We care about and look out for each other. I grew up in a neighborhood similar to this one and am excited to be able to provide my children with the same experience.”

Join us next week (click ) for Part II of Then and Now: Orchard Hills