Historic Timberlea c.1899

Historic Timberlea c.1899
This extraordinary 5 bedroom historic Queen Anne masterpiece is beautifully positioned on 4.68 private acres with a meandering stream and mature woods. Described by the Maryland Historical Trust, as “significant architecturally to Howard County and the State of Maryland”, this unique historic Victorian home, offers an astute buyer the rare opportunity to own one of Maryland’s most precious treasures. From the impressive entry foyer and charming parlors, to its high ceilings and grand spaces, this vintage beauty captures the essence of affluent life at the turn of the last century. Extensively restored and renovated by the current owners, to include a master suite, several en-suite bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen designed by Trish Houck, one of the top kitchen designers in Baltimore (her designs have been featured in many national magazines), a showroom/office space off the parking lot and much more, this home is a wonderful blend of historic detailing and modern amenities.

Past stewards include Bob Maisel – top sports writer for the Baltimore Sun, who shared his home with Brooks Robinson when Robinson came to play for the Orioles; and James Houck – managing editor for the Baltimore Sun in 80’s & 90’s.

As you approach this magnificent home up a long paved driveway over a small bridge across a lazy stream, and through mature woods, it is hard to believe that this 4+ acre secluded retreat is in the heart of Howard County, just minutes from Baltimore & DC, and schools, shopping and entertainment. This country home was built on what was once a part of Dorsey Hall, the early 19th century home farm of Caleb Dorsey and today, from the front porch, buffered by woods, one can imagine and earlier time and place.

This is a home of rare and beautiful distinction, close to Baltimore & DC, yet a world away.

Maryland Historical Trust

Timberlea is significant architecturally to Howard County and the State of Maryland as an example of an early twentieth century shingled house, constructed in the Queen Anne Style and historically significant to Howard County through its associations with “Dorsey Hall” and the Dorsey, Clark and Maisel families.

Architecturally, this shingled building is noteworthy as an example of the Queen Anne Style which featured varied window and roof treatment. Such treatment is found on the east facade which features a central gabled roof oriole window with diamond shaped lights, on the south facade, with a one story high, pent roofed, bay window holding a heavily mullioned tripartite casement window and north and south shed roofed bay windows. Although the latter gave a kind of symmetry to these elevations, it is offset by the south facade’s bay window previously mentioned, and on the north by what was once a one story high open porch in the northeast corner of the building.

The enclosure of the first floor open porch to create a new dining room and the addition of a hipped roof open porch running along the east elevation gives more regularity than at first existed on this facade. The building is thus a good example of how buildings were altered to accommodate the needs of the household in residence. This alteration offers more regularity to the building than formerly but does not destroy its initial integrity. One of Howard County’s fine Queen Anne Style buildings, it is important for preservation, and has just recently been acquired by Howard Research and Development for the development of its surrounding acreage. The building, however, will be retained.
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Chain of Title

Timberlea is important to Howard County for its stands on what was once a part of Dorsey Hall, the home farm of the late Caleb Dorsey of Caleb. By May 3, 1881, Dorsey Hall was conveyed to Reuben Dorsey Rogers by Achsah R. Dorsey et al (43-141).

In 1906, Reuben Dorsey Rogers conveyed this piece of Dorsey Hall to his daughter, Eugenia Rogers Smith “together with the buildings erected, made or being” (84-175) who made her home here.

From 1912-1914, Mr. and Mrs. John Clark rented the house while their new home was being constructed. They moved in time to have their first son, John Clark, in their new home.

On July 9, 1952, Robert L. and Martha B. Maisel bought the house.

In the 70’s, the property was purchased for development.

On June 8, 1982, James & Patricia Houck acquired the house on 4.68 acres.

LINKS

Timberlea – Maryland  Historical Trust – HO-536
Historic Overlay – Timberlea Historic Plat
Ellicott City – Historic Ellicott City Website
Dorsey Hall – Maryland Historical Trust
Aerial Video – Timberlea From the Air