Lochearn Tutors Come To You

Along Interstate 695 west of Pikesville and Pimlico, Lochearn, Maryland is a suburb of Baltimore just a few miles from the downtown area. Considered the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmstead was enlisted in the 1880’s to create a unique neighborhood on the former property of James Howard McHenry. Rather than the usual square grids which appealed to many community planners, Olmstead gained fame for his curvilinear designs which adapted to the flow of the land. Along with his son and partner, John Charles Olmstead, and sanitary engineer George Waring, Olmstead devised Sudbrook Park on the northeastern edge of Lochearn next door to Pikesville. Opened in 1890, the park featured an entranceway bridge, train station, hotel and nine model cottages which were up for sale. Once built, the park drew wealthy summer vacationers from Baltimore who wished to escape the heat and bustle of the city although few could be convinced to buy property so far outside the city. By 1910 when one of the park’s chief investors died, the project languished. Eventually, however, the park grew and by 1930 there were 50 homes in Sudbrook. After World War II, with suburbanization changing America, more than 500 homes had been built. True to Olmstead’s philosophy, developers attempted to maintain the natural look of the park by preserving the mature trees, curving roads and houses set back from the road with plenty of green space. In recent times, residents of Sudbrook have waged and won campaigns against highway extensions which would have spoiled the area. In 1973, Sudbrook Park was named a National Register Historic District. Today, a sign amidst the tall trees in Sudbrook Park touts the contributions to the land by Olmstead noting that only two of the original cottages no longer stand. Lochearn was most likely named after Loch (Lake) Earn in the central highlands of Scotland.

It’s likely that a Lochearn tutor will keep you ahead of the academic curve so you can take time to enjoy the attractions and amenities of the Baltimore metropolitan area. Less than four miles from Lochearn, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is 135 acres with animals from all over the world. As with Sudbrook Park, Frederick Law Olmstead had a hand in the design of the zoo and his signature curved roads connect different segments of the zoo. The largest section of the zoo is dedicated to an “African Journey” with habitats for giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees and, of course, lions. The “Maryland Wilderness” features natural native settings such as bogs, streams, caves and meadows. “Polar Bear Watch” is highlighted by Anoki, a 900-pound female bear who lives within an area that is also home to the arctic fox, raven and snowy owl.

Designated a national park in 1925, Fort McHenry should be known to all Americans as the site where Francis Scott Key composed the National Anthem at the height of the British bombardment of the fort during the War of 1812. It’s just a short drive south from Lochearn to the famous site. A prominent destination for both residents and tourists alike, the fort is accessible by water taxi. Visitors can examine commander’s quarters, guard house and powder magazine as well as the restored flag which flew over the fort on that inspirational night in 1814.

Due east from Lochearn, historic Pimlico Race Course, opened in 1870, is host to the annual Preakness Stakes, the second race in the American Triple Crown of horse racing sandwiched between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Named after the colt Preakness who was one of the finest horses on the grounds in the 1870’s, the race has featured some of the finest thoroughbred athletes in history including Triple Crown winners Man of War, Secretariat and most recently American Pharoah.