Monrovia

From a distance, historic Monrovia looks a lot like the planned communities that are being developed among the large farms lining central Maryland’s I-70 corridor. Zoom in a little and you’ll find one of Maryland’s most historic rural communities, an uncommon blend of small-town charm, active living and mountain views all within commuting distance of downtown Baltimore. Stick around a little, though, and you might find a new place to call home.

“The first thing I tell potential buyers is that Monrovia is not like any of the surrounding communities in Frederick County,” says Shannon Flannery of Goddess Group Realty. “Most of the homes are new or updated, but the city of Monrovia has been around for hundreds of years, so the lot sizes are so much bigger here.” This unique combination of history and development is also reflected in the variety of homes in the Monrovia community, which include modern American craftsmen, colonial revivals with white picket fences, traditional farmhouses and budget-friendly townhomes. Prices are equally mixed, providing options from $500,000 for a 4-bedroom townhouse to $900,000 for a newly constructed five-bedroom colonial.

Mornings in Monrovia begin at 5 West Café, the local go-to spot for a café latte and hand-crafted gourmet cinnamon roll. Amble past the historic storefronts lining downtown New Market to The Derby Restaurant, where you can take in live music or the big game with your meal, and then head out back for a waffle cone at their vintage ice cream shack. Perhaps no other restaurant captures the essence of Monrovia quite like Wilcom’s Inn. Once a roadhouse biker bar, this unassuming 1940s-era building was converted into a Peruvian steakhouse in 2016, and has quickly become both a local favorite and an award-winning destination for wine connoisseurs, all while maintaining the name and roadside aesthetic of the original bar. “It doesn’t look like it from the outside,” Flannery notes, “but you can’t get a table on Saturday night without a reservation.”

There’s no shortage of weekend activities in the area. Book a tee time at Whiskey Creek, the Ernie Els-designed public golf course, where you can admire dramatic views of the Catoctin Mountains even if you’re stuck deep in a fairway bunker. Adrenaline seekers can get their fix on one of the many roller coasters at Adventure Park USA – Maryland’s largest amusement park – while the rest of the family keeps their feet on the ground at the arcade, bowling alley or mini golf course. Stock up on next week’s groceries at Costo, or grab a few essentials at the Green Valley Plaza for a picnic and play-date the neighborhood Zipline playground, all within walking distance along one of Monrovia’s scenic neighborhood trails.

Students in Monrovia attend the Frederick Public School system, which includes Centerville Elementary School, Urbana Middle School and Urbana High School, all of which are currently ranked as A-minus or better by Niche. In both 2018 and 2019, Urbana High School was identified as a National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education for consistently high student achievement, and its athletic program regularly competes for state championships.

Though it is less than an hour outside of downtown Baltimore, Monrovia is located just across the Frederick County line, allowing residents the fortunate distinction of what Flannery describes as, “Frederick County prices with a Montgomery County area code.” This is just one of the many reasons why Niche rated Monrovia as the 4th best place to buy a home in the entire state of Maryland.

Written By

Jack Hale

Photography Contributed By

Tyler Priola

Video By

Jacob Cardwell