Hickory Ridge (Highland, Maryland) facts for kids

Hickory Ridge, also called White Hall, is a very old and important property in Highland, Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is officially recognized as a historic place in Maryland.

Hickory Ridge: A Historic Maryland Home

Early Beginnings

The land for Hickory Ridge, which was about 500 acres, was first surveyed by Henry Ridgely III in 1749. His grandfather, Henry Ridgely, had received this land from King George II of Great Britain.

When Henry Ridgely III passed away in 1749, the land went to his son, Greenberry Ridgely. That same year, Greenberry built a stone cottage, which you can still see today.

Around 1760 or 1789, Greenberry Ridgely started building the main house. This large house has two and a half stories and is made of special bricks laid in a pattern called Flemish brick bond. The farm used to have enslaved people who worked in the tobacco and wheat fields. They lived in stone buildings called "Quarters."

Greenberry Ridgely's son, Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely, inherited the property in 1800. Nicholas was a successful wine merchant in Baltimore. He added more rooms to the main house. Later, the Adams family owned the property.

The Hopkins Family Era

In the mid-1800s or 1877, Samuel and Martha Smith Hopkins bought the property. They renamed it "White Hall." This name honored Samuel's birthplace and his uncle, Johns Hopkins, who founded a famous hospital and university.

The Hopkins family lived at White Hall for 75 years. Alda Hopkins, the mother of Maryland State Senate President James A. Clark, Jr., was born and grew up there.

Restoring History

Later, Henry H. Owens bought the property and brought back its original name, "Hickory Ridge." After him, Richard Jenkins and his wife became the owners. Starting in 1972, they worked hard to restore the property to its historical look.

Thanks to their efforts, Hickory Ridge was officially added to the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties in 1977. In 1983, Jenkins sold the property to John McDaniel. Mr. McDaniel founded and was the CEO of MedStar Health, a large healthcare system.

John McDaniel has hosted many important people at Hickory Ridge, including every Maryland governor. He put the property up for sale in 2019.

A Love for Horses

Horses have always been an important part of Hickory Ridge's history. Samuel Harold Hopkins, the son of the Samuel Hopkins who bought the property, helped start the racetrack in Laurel, Maryland. He also held horse shows on the estate.

John McDaniel was a long-time racing commissioner in Maryland. He expanded the horse facilities at Hickory Ridge to breed thoroughbred horses.