Maple Lawn, Fulton, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maple Lawn,
Fulton, Maryland |
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Country | United States | ||
State | Maryland | ||
City | Fulton |
Maple Lawn is a modern community located in Fulton, Maryland, United States. It's a planned development, meaning it was designed from the ground up to include homes, shops, and businesses all in one place. It's a great example of how old farmland can become a lively new town.
Contents
History of Maple Lawn
The story of Maple Lawn began in 1839. That's when Heinrich Iager bought a farm here. It started with 108 acres and grew to 185 acres. He called it Maple Lawn Farms.
From Farm to Development
In 1938, the farm started raising free-range turkeys. They sold them under the "Sho-Nuf" brand name. Later, in 1970, the farm was owned by C. Ellsworth Iager and Sons. They won an award for their dairy cows. In 2004, the farm was recognized for its special Holstein cows.
Ellsworth Iager, who lived from 1916 to 1987, managed the farm for many years. In 1986, the Iager family decided to lease some of their land to developers. This meant some of the farm's fences were removed. Nearby farmers had to move their animals because there was less land for grazing. Ellsworth Iager passed away in 1987, and his son Charles took over the farm.
Planning the New Community
In the late 1990s, the area around Fulton was changing. Some parts had water and sewer services, while others still used well water. A company called Greenebaum & Rose Associates suggested building a large new community. It would have 1,168 homes and businesses on about 506 acres of the farm.
This plan needed special permission called "zoning." Zoning decides how land can be used. In 1998, the local council started discussing the plan. There were many meetings and debates. Some people supported the new development, while others wanted to keep the area rural.
Modern Development and Management
By 2013, the local planning department wanted to bring water and sewer services to the rest of Maple Lawn. This would allow even more homes to be built. Some residents tried to stop this with a "referendum." A referendum is when people vote on a law or decision. However, their effort was stopped by the landowners' lawyer.
In September 2014, the Iager family invited Ken Ulman, a local leader, to visit the remaining farm land. He spent a day as a "Farmer for a Day." This showed how the area was changing from farmland to a modern community.
Today, a homeowners association helps manage the homes and facilities in Maple Lawn. They take care of things like the community center and parks. The shops and businesses are managed by a separate group called the Maple Lawn Commercial Owners Association.