The southeast Baltimore County neighborhood was established in 1895 by Henry McShane, a local foundryman. Before Dundalk was a neighborhood, it was a small station -- named after McShane's hometown in Ireland -- on the Baltimore and Sparrows Point Railroad.
Dundalk's growth took off when Bethlehem Steel moved to the area in 1916. The onset of World War I brought a period of rapid development to the mostly rural community, as new housing was created to accommodate the steel company's growing number of workers.
World War II brought another wave of expansion to Dundalk, as workers came from all over the country to secure factory jobs in eastern Baltimore County. War production skyrocketed Bethlehem Steel's workforce to more than 30,000 employees. However, the end of the war meant the steel company's glory days were also over. Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt in 2001 and was sold in 2003.
The decline of the U.S. steel industry hurt the working-class neighborhood's economy, but it takes more than that to keep Dundalkians down. More recently, Dundalk has been the target of many development projects, designed to revitalize Baltimore County's east side.
Dundalk's aging housing projects, which once provided shelter to World War II workers, are targets of development. In early 2007, demolition began on the crime-ridden Yorkway Apartments. Other complexes just need some updates and structural repairs. County officials also hope to attract local businesses to the area by sprucing up Dundalk Avenue and the Dundalk Village Shopping Center.
Dundalk residents take great pride in their community's industrial past, as well as its blossoming future. Dundalk pride is at its peak during the annual Heritage Fair, a three-day Fourth of July celebration. Thousands of residents take part in the festivities, which include a carnival, performances by local musicians, appearances by politicians, a parade, and of course, fireworks.
Location: Southeast Baltimore County
Highlights/Landmarks: Battle of North Point site, (former) Bethlehem Steel shipyard, Dundalk Historic District, Dundalk Marine Terminal, Dundalk Village Shopping Center, Eastpoint Mall, Heritage Fair, North Point Library
Schools: Community College of Baltimore County Dundalk Campus, Dundalk High School, Patapsco High School, Sollers Point Southeastern Technical, Dundalk Middle School, Gen. John Stricker Middle School, Holabird Middle School, Sparrows Point Middle/High School, Battle Grove Elementary, Bear Creek Elementary, Berkshire Elementary, Charlesmont Elementary, Colgate Elementary, Dundalk Elementary, Eastwood Elementary, Grange Elementary, Logan Elementary, Norwood Elementary, Sandy Plains Elementary
Trivia: The Dundalk Historic District is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
In Dundalk's early years, Edward H. Bouton was hired to plan the design of the community. He wanted to model it after Roland Park, which he also helped design.
Dundalk has its own flag.