Hawthorne in eastern Baltimore County bills itself as a waterfront community.
No wonder. It’s the only neighborhood in the county that still boasts three waterfront parks, according to Doug Tomecek, community development director for the Hawthorne Civic Association and a 40-year Hawthorne resident.
“The biggest draw is our parks and the water,” he said. “We have Dark Head Park [on Dark Head Creek], Hawthorne/Midthorne Park [on Middle River] and Kingston Park [at the tip of the peninsula], so there’s plenty of boating, fishing, crabbing and other recreational activity.”
Rockfish, carp and bass abound in these waters. And ice fishing is allowed at Dark Head whenever the river freezes over.
“The water is our shining jewel,” commented Hawthorne Civic Association president Chuck Munser.
Hawthorne – whether named for the tree, which once graced the peninsula in groves, or for the family farming the area, remains an open question — is largely residential with 1,800 residents. Housing is varied, with single-family dwellings, rowhouses and condominiums.
Part of Middle River, unincorporated Hawthorne has undergone significant revitalization, with new residential development, including WaterView, a development of 175 single-family homes along Eastern Boulevard that replaced the dilapidated 1930s Riverdale apartment complex, and the retail WaterView Town Center , explained Munser.
Anchoring WaterView is Geresbeck’s Food Market, a family-owned grocery store famous for its homemade desserts and fresh seafood and fish.
Glenn L. Martin – the third American to design, build and fly his own plane — came to the area in 1928 and established the Martin Company. Credited as the father of modern aircraft manufacturing, Martin’s name is ubiquitous in these parts.
In 1961, his company merged with American-Marietta to become Martin Marietta, and again in 1995 to form Lockheed Martin.
Martin State Airport bears his name, as does the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, where the state’s rich aviation history is displayed. Here are also a dozen Vietnam-era planes, on view outside, said museum spokesman John Tipton.
The community just learned that an asphalt bike/hike trail will be built through the Dark Head and Hawthorne parks, connecting with a larger county trail system. Construction begins in December.
10 Best Things: Hawthorne
Dark Head Park
One of three parks in Hawthorne , Dark Head Park is on Dark Head Cove and Dark Head Creek. Fishing is allowed from shore, but no swimming, please, at any of the community’s three parks.
Hawthorne/Midthorne Park
Off Whitethorn Way on Middle River , this seven-acre park has a fishing pier, basketball court and playground.
Kingston Park
This green lung cuts a swath between shore homes and the water on Kingston Road . Fishing is allowed.
Wilson Point Park
Need to launch a boat? Hawthorne has no public launch, but there’s a two-lane launch at Wilson Point Park on Middle River , across the water from Dark Head. Also here are public pavilions, restrooms and a boardwalk that hugs the shoreline. Fishing and crabbing are allowed but please: No swimming. (410) 887-0234.
Geresbeck’s Food Market
Locals flock to this family-owned grocery store at WaterView Town Center , where the seafood is fresh, desserts homemade. Call (410) 686-3487 or check out www.geresbecks.com.
Martin State Airport
Named for aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin, this airport serves private planes in eastern Baltimore County . It’s also home to the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum.
Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this museum packs in a vast collection of aviation photos and artifacts plus a superb outdoor collection of Vietnam-era fighter planes. Call (410) 682-6122 or check out www.marylandaviationmuseum.org for more information.
Civilian Air Patrol lecture
Local CAP members will discuss their military service as part of a monthly lecture series. Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., at the Museum. Call (410) 682-6122 for details.
Restaurants
Hawthorne locals and out-of-towners alike flock to By the Docks, Crab Quarters and Carson ‘s Creekside Restaurant & Lounge – well-known seafood restaurants in nearby Middle River . By the Docks: (410) 686-1188; Crab Quarters: (410) 686-2222; Carson ‘s Creekside (410) 238-0080.
Pizza John’s
Another eastern Baltimore County institution for more than four decades, Pizza John’s in close-in Essex seats 220 and offers carry-out too. (410) 687-7733
