History of Westgate

When Mt. De Sales Academy, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was founded nearby in 1852, the area was sparsely populated.  Before development of Westgate, there were homes along Old Frederick Road to the north and around North Bend Road (then Lane) to the south.  Around North Bend, small estates, many owned by city bankers and businessmen, were built on both sides of the road (some of which stand today).  A stream into Maiden’s Choice Run ran in the direction of Rock Glen Road before development.  It was with the installation of the Trolley in 1899 that travel between the area which is now Westgate and the city became quick and comfortable making daily commute not only possible but inviting.  The northern sections were laid out in 1913 and began to build up in the 1920s.  In 1918, the last annexation of Baltimore city occurred extending its limits close to the intersection of North Bend and Edmondson.

Originally, the area was two separate communities, Westgate in the city and Meridale Farms in the county. But in the mid-1930s, the homeowners in Meridale Farms voted to become a part of the Westgate community.

The terrain north of Edmondson reaches 480 feet above sea level, which is one of the highest elevations in the Baltimore area.  Views of the Inner Harbor and the Key Bridge are possible from many areas in Westgate. 

The housing stock is mostly made up of bungalows, Colonials, Cape Cods and Tudor-style homes with an average lot of 50 by 100 feet. Most of the homes were constructed during the 1920s and 1930s, and the amenities include oak hardwood floors -- many with walnut inlays -- fireplaces, full basements and stained glass windows.