Hampstead, Maryland, located in Carroll County northwest of Baltimore, is a welcoming community with a strong family-friendly identity. A full 50.7 percent of the homes in this area have children under 18 living there, so it's easy to see why this is a fabulous area for settling down when you have a family or want to start one.
Of course, it's more than just a great community for families. Hampstead real estate captures that small town magic that's so hard to find in more urban areas of Maryland, with small, locally owned businesses and family-owned restaurants lining Main Street. With a population of 5,060 people, it's big enough to have a small-town feel, but small enough that it's easy to connect with your neighborhood.
Hampstead has a strong focus on family-friendly activities and events. The North Carroll Branch Library goes beyond being a great place to pick up books. It also provides computers and children's games, and hosts a number of community events. Several types of storytime events, such as Family Storytime and Pajama Party Storytime, are excellent for the kids or the entire family. Educational events and classes like Intro to 3D Printing and Creative Circuits help expand your children's educational opportunities outside the classroom. They also have a writers group, held monthly.
The many parks in Hampstead let your family head outside to enjoy the great weather during the spring, summer, and fall. The Chief Sites Memorial Park, Leister Park, Main Street Memorial Park, North Carroll Community Pond, and Lions Club Park provide many amenities for Hampstead residents. You can head out for a picnic, watch your kids play sports on the fields, and enjoy extensive walking trails. Your family can make friends and connect with the community through the events held throughout the parks.
Much of Hampstead's emphasizes its family-friendly community, but it also acts as a hidden Maryland wine country gem. The Carroll County Wine Trail takes you to many of the wineries throughout this county, including Galloping Goose Vineyards right in Hampstead. This farm and winery features the classic old red barn look, set among beautiful hills. The winery holds several events throughout the year, such as November Weekends featuring mulled wines, chocolate and wine tastings, and other special events. You get to connect with a long standing institution of Hampstead every time you come to the farm and enjoy an adult's night out. These wines are sold exclusively direct from the winery, so you also get a unique taste you can't experience anywhere else. How's that for local flavor?
Hampstead real estate primarily centers along Route 30, the road that spurred its founding. Businesses naturally built along this corridor, so you have the classic small-town Main Street that provides wonderful character and charm.
You won't find big-box stores in Hampstead. Instead, you get to see the small businesses that have built up over decades, as well as businesses from new residents who want to make their mark. This gives you a unique shopping experience you don't find in many other Baltimore suburbs. Some of the small businesses you find lining Main Street include Jill's Jams Mixes & More, Shipley's Fine Jewelry, and Morfoot Farms.
The restaurants also provide you with options that are cooked with love and care, with some places using family recipes passed down for decades. Greenmount Station offers classic Maryland fare, and their crabcakes are their claim to fame. Linens & Lace tea room provides Victorian charm with its tea service. The Old Town Grill provides classic American cuisine along with live music.
One unusual trend on Hampstead's Main Street is the number of salons and day spas available, both for people and animals. The dog salons speak to how pet-friendly the town is, and you can head over to the places catering to humans to get a hair cut that matches urban stylists. Once you're done with your shopping, pamper yourself in a friendly atmosphere.
The farmers market, community expo, and other events also serve to bring the community closer together.
Hampstead was founded in the 1700s when a new road cut through the middle of Carroll County. It got its start as Spring Garden, which operated as a stage-coach stop for this road. A lot of traffic came through this area on the route between Hanover, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. Many farmers also enjoyed settling in this area due to the soil quality.
The Western Maryland Railroad laid rails through Hampstead in 1879, which continued to increase the town's popularity. The town was officially incorporated in 1888 and recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.
You can see many pieces from the past around town, with several historic buildings still in use today. The Hampstead School, for example, was renovated and is currently used for housing. The First National Bank Building was restored to its original glory in 2000 and the Hampstead Police Department now uses it as their main office.
The 1912 train station is also getting attention as part of Hampstead's Main Street Revitalization Plan, as it gets set up as a museum for the area. The town is actively seeking to maintain its historic sites so residents and visitors can enjoy seeing Hampstead's history up close and personal.
