Cherry Hill

The neighborhood of Cherry Hill in South Baltimore traces its roots back to the end of World War II. A historically African American community, Cherry Hill was a planned suburb, designed to provide housing for the influx of Black steelworkers, returned military veterans and their families circa 1945. Spanning 275 acres on the Cherry Hill Peninsula, this neighborhood offered residents a variety of housing options, including bungalows, two-storied row homes and over 1200 multi-family units. Evolving over time, Cherry Hill has weathered the ups and downs that go hand in hand with urban living and disinvestment, and today is known as a place of culture, revitalization and new growth.

Homes in Cherry Hill consist of detached single-family homes, row houses and multi-family public housing units. Prospective buyers can choose from minimalist bungalow or cottage designs or opt for a traditional two-storied Baltimore row house, featuring red-brick facades and petite front yard spaces. The average sales price is $150,000, with price points varying depending on the age, size and condition of the property.

Students here attend Baltimore City Public Schools like Arundel Elementary, Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle, and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Both Arundel Elementary (serving pre-kindergarten through second grades) and the Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle school (serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grades) feature newly constructed state-of-the art school buildings, built under the Baltimore City 21st Century Schools program.

Residents of Cherry Hill enjoy their community’s many pocket parks and playgrounds which are sprinkled throughout the area’s subdivisions. Or for more time outdoors, the nearby Middle Branch Park offers over 150 acres of shoreline and wide-open spaces along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. Home to the Baltimore Rowing and Water Resources Center, it’s not uncommon to see folks out practicing their sculling skills. Another favorite local pastime is fishing, crabbing or taking out a kayak for some cool breezes. Or you can take in the Baltimore cityscape from the top of the park’s wildlife observatory area and boardwalk.

This community also benefits from local non-profit organizations like the Cherry Hill Development Corporation (CHDC), which works to promote community equity through activities like weekly soup kitchens, food pantries, and community gardens. Similarly, the Cherry Hill Strong organization is partnering with local residents to advocate for and improve their community’s well-being in the areas of education, economic vitality, and housing.

Sharing the peninsula with the MedStar Harbor Hospital campus means proximity to healthcare minutes from your front door. A major area employer since 1903, this campus features over 131 beds and specialized units for women and infants, and behavioral and mental health services.

For all your daily essentials, residents of Cherry Hill will find local retailers, mini marts and casual eateries along Cherry Hill Road. For a wider variety of shopping options, residents will have to head over to the Patapsco Plaza Shopping Center to browse shops like the Megamart Baltimore Supermarket, Rose’s Discount department store, and the Patapsco Flea Market.

Despite being on a peninsula, residents of Cherry Hill can get where they need to be fast! A quick bus or car ride across the South Hanover Bridge will bring you right into downtown. Plan to spend some time exploring Port Covington, Federal Hill or Riverside. Or plan to catch a Ravens game at M&T Stadium.

This is Cherry Hill, a historic African American suburb of Southeast Baltimore.

Written By

Michelle Goshen

Photography Contributed By

Bryan Allen

Video By

GL Moses