Roland Park Civic League Records

The Roland Park Company, under the management of Edward H. Bouton, developed Roland Park in sections, building streets, laying water, sewer and electric lines, and selling property lots. The Company’s first architect was George Edward Kessler, who was succeeded in subsequent plats by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Following the completion of Roland Park, the Company developed similar projects in Guilford, Homeland, Northwood, and the Orchards.

The Roland Park Covenants, among the first in the nation, were developed by Bouton to incorporate land-use restrictions and service fee requirements on each property deed. The fees, paid annually by property owners, covered the cost of lighting and street repair, garbage collection, and the maintenance and operation of the sewerage system. The Roland Park Civic League was established in 1895 and incorporated in 1907. The Civic League’s concerns included all aspects of the community, and it eventually succeeded to the Company’s Covenant rights and responsibilities.

The Roland Park Roads and Maintenance Corporation was incorporated in 1909 by the Roland Park Civic League and Company. The Corporation’s purpose is to collect mandated fees, provide mandated services, and otherwise enforce the Covenants. Beyond Roland Park, the Corporation carried out these duties for other communities covered by the Covenants.