Parkville is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland. In 1874, a prominent Baltimore surveyor, Simon Jonas Martenet purchased "35 acres and two rods of land, more or less" at a trustee's sale. He then advertised residential sites as "one of the healthiest and pleasantest locations near Baltimore." The land was named Parkville for a plot of land which Martenet donated to the people with the stipulation that it always remain a park. The designated 360 ft. park area is still located in the center of present day Taylor Avenue between Oak and Chestnut Avenues. Parkville extended from what is now Old Harford Road to Harford Road, and from Linwood Avenue to Linganore Avenue.

Harford Road, the "main street" of Parkville, was originally an Indian trail. During Colonial times, the Baltimore and Harford Turnpike, as it was then called, was connected to Philadelphia Road and therefore served as a thoroughfare for northern and southern colonies. In 1773, the first stagecoach made the Baltimore and Harford Turnpike its regular route between Philadelphia and Baltimore. General Washington and the Continental Army troops accessed this road to the Yorktown victory that ended the Revolutionary War.

Today, Parkville includes part of Joppa Road, which is the oldest road in Maryland. It was a trail used by the Susquehannocks long before the arrival of the first Maryland colonists. It eventually became a major east-west route in Baltimore County.

What Makes Parkville Unique?

• The Parkville Park - The Parkville park became a historical landmark in July 1998, due to the efforts of the Parkville Park Community Association. The Parkville Park, located west of Harford Road in the center of Taylor Avenue is the namesake and centerpiece of the community. It represents the community's spirit and pride, and is a vital link to Parkville's culture and historical heritage. It was donated to the original community by its founder, Simon Jonas Martenet, with the specific stipulation that it always remain a park. In 1952, the Parkville American Legion built a monument to veterans in the center of the Parkville Park. In 1996, the Parkville Park Community Association was awarded money from Baltimore County to initiate the enhancement of the park's appearance. This first phase involved landscaping with trees, shrubs, and perennials.
• The Hiss House - Located at 3209 Willoughby Road, the Hiss house was built in the 18th century. Jacob and Elizabeth Hiss resided at this house immediately following their marriage in 1786. According to the Parkville Centennial Reporter, an obituary states that the house was given to them, perhaps by Jacob's parents, Valentine and Christine Hiss. Made of stucco and stone over walls of hand-hewn logs, it has three double chimneys and seven fireplaces. Sixteen children were born to Jacob and Elizabeth in their home. One son, William raised his three children in the family home also. In 1908, the last of Jacob's children, Hester Ann died and was buried in the family cemetery behind the house. For over a century Hiss family members lived in this house. In 1842, Jacob's son William and four of his sisters donated land for the Hiss Methodist Church on Harford Road.
• The Cub Hill House - Located at Old Harford Road and Summit Avenue, the Cub Hill house was built in the 18th century of local stone. It is a five-bay-wide, two-story Federal style house. The land on which the house was built was known as Cub Hill since 1695 when it was surveyed for William Burgess. In 1783 Nicholas Brittons became the owner of the property, which was passed to his son, Richard B. Brittons in 1798. He rented the four buildings on the property including the Cub Hill House.
• The Krause Memorial Limestone Kiln - The Krause Memorial Limestone Kiln is a stone stack or oven-like structure built into a hillside on Old Harford Road. The kiln may have originally been part of the Cub Hill estate. The stonework and design are elegant for kilns, which were most often straight up and down walls. This 19th century kiln has a concave face and a round arch of large stones. The opening of the arch is 4 feet 2 inches in height and 6 feet wide. Limestone was dropped into a top vent of the kiln where it was burned, creating a powdered lime, a key ingredient in bricklaying in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

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