Ridgely, Maryland

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ridgely, Maryland
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Ridgely, Maryland


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maryland
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Caroline
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 2.8
area_land_km2 = 2.8
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.1
area_land_sq_mi = 1.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1352
population_density_km2 = 490.0
population_density_sq_mi = 1269.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 18
elevation_ft = 59
latd = 38 |latm = 56 |lats = 42 |latNS = N
longd = 75 |longm = 53 |longs = 1 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 410
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 24-66000
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0586831
website =
footnotes =

Ridgely is a town in Caroline County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,352 at the 2000 census. Its main ZIP code is 21660, but is assigned eight other "216" zip codes due to its status as a home to fulfillment companies that receive and ship mail-in offers. The primary phone exchange is 634 and the area code is 410. Maryland Route 480 bisects the town. Pelican Airport serves the area also. Ridgelyites boast of the widest main street of any town in Maryland; it was once considered "The Strawberry Capital" and still holds a Strawberry Festival each May. [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/town_history.html Side Menu page ] ]

Geography

Ridgely is located at coor dms|38|56|42|N|75|53|1|W|city (38.944896, -75.883489)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,352 people, 513 households, and 349 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,269.0 people per square mile (487.9/km²). There were 553 housing units at an average density of 519.1/sq mi (199.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 81.58% White, 15.61% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.18% of the population.

There were 513 households out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,750, and the median income for a family was $38,929. Males had a median income of $27,356 versus $19,844 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,581. About 7.8% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1867, the land around present day Ridgely was purchased by the Maryland and Baltimore Land Association from Thomas Bell and the Reverend Greenbury W. Ridgely. During this time period, a railroad boom on the Delmarva Peninsula was fueling land speculation. Civil engineer J.J. Sickler from Philadelphia was commissioned to design the town's layout. The Land Association began construction and built four buildings, including a railroad station, hotel, and two private residences during the first year. James K. Saulsbury constructed a combined store and residence, now known as the Ridgely House.

During the Land's Association's first year, it went bankrupt; Ridgely was left unfinished and sparsely populated. Most properties were sold at public auction, and Ridgely began to grow gradually as a result of its location on the Maryland and Delaware Railroad line.

Ridgely's economy flourished as a result of its flourishing local crop production, including strawberries, huckleberries, vegetables, eggs, and poultry. Most crops were processed in Ridgely or sent to various locations on the railroad. As the nation began to rely on highways instead of railroads for transportation and industry began to concentrate in larger urban areas, Ridgely's economy declined.

Ridgely became known as the "Strawberry Capital of the World" as a result of its prosperous agricultural business. [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/town_history.html Side Menu page ] ] Every May, Ridgely hosts the Strawberry Festival to celebrate its past. [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/strawberry_festival.html Strawberry Festival ] ]

Town Officials and Staff

President of Commissioners: Nancy Gearhart
Commissioners: Charles Hunter and Linda Epperly-Glover
Town Manager: Joe Mangini
Clerk-Treasurer: Carol Balderson
Assistant Clerk: Melissa Vanskiver
Town Receptionist: Sara Wright
Codes Administrator: Cary Malkus
Director of Public Works: Robin Eaton
Assistant Director of Water & Sewer: David Crist
Chief of Police: Merl Evans [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/commissioners.html Government Template ] ] [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/administration.html Ridgely, MDs, Administration ] ] [ [http://www.ridgelymd.org/html_docs/departments.html Side Menu page ] ]

Famous Residents

* Buck Herzog, a former major league baseball player with the New York Giants, Boston Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs between 1908 and 1920.
* Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx began his career here as a semipro catcher.
* The town's namesake once practiced law with Henry Clay.
* The town was home to former Maryland Congressman Thomas Alexander Smith.
* The Charles T. Dean political and farming family.

Points of Interest

* Adkins Arboretum
* The Benedictine School, a residential facility for considerably handicapped youth, dates back to 1891 on a farm near Ridgely. Colin Powell has served twice on its Board of Directors.
* Tuckahoe State Park

References

External links

* [http://www.ridgelymd.org/ Official Ridgely Website]