Long Reach’s story begins long before its houses and shops. It starts with Major Edward Dorsey. In 1696 he received a 448-acre land grant. This land became Long Reach. The name stuck. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Maryland’s history.
Imagine this land. A tobacco plantation. Twenty-six enslaved people toiled there. The Dorsey family expanded their estate. A summer home Bethesda stood there. It was later enlarged. In 1858 a tornado struck. The land changed hands several times. It was eventually divided.
By 1943 only 237 acres remained. In 1963 Howard Research and Development purchased most of the original Long Reach. They envisioned a planned community. This was the start of modern Long Reach.
Long Reach opened in 1971. It was one of Columbia’s first villages. Four neighborhoods sprang up: Jeffers Hill Kendall Ridge Locust Park and Phelps Luck. Each has its own unique charm. Street names echo this history. Many are named after Robinson Jeffers’ poems.
The Long Reach Village Center opened in 1974. It was designed by Kent Cooper and Associates. It housed nineteen stores. A grocery store. Pappy’s restaurant. Even a gas station. The Columbia Art Center also found a home there.
The Village Center’s story has its ups and downs. High rents and crime caused a decline. It became underutilized. Howard County stepped in. They purchased the majority of the holdings. They planned a major renovation. A new mixed-use development. A green space at its heart. A vertical garden showcasing sustainable farming.
Today Long Reach is a thriving community. It combines history with modern innovation. It stands as a testament to thoughtful planning. A blend of past and present. This is Long Reach a place where history lives on.