Harper's Choice, Columbia, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Harper's Choice is one of the ten villages that comprise Columbia, Maryland
. It lies in the northwest part of Columbia and consists of the neighborhoods of Longfellow, Swansfield, and Hobbit's Glen and had a December 1998 population of 8,695.
Harper's Choice is named for Harper Goodloe Carroll, whose estate was in the area. Longfellow was named for the American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
and the street names are from his works. Hobbit's Glen was taken from the works of English author J. R. R. Tolkien
, along with the street names. Swansfield's name was inspired by the etching The Swan by James McNeill Whistler
, and the street names derive from the works of Winslow Homer
.
The Florence Bain Senior Center, opened in 1983, is located in the Swansfield neighborhood, and is named for Florence Bain, who started the local AARP chapter and was the first chairperson of Howard County's Commission on Aging. Winter Growth/Ruth Keeton House, offering an assisted living program, is located next to the Senior Center. It is named for the former council member, Ruth Keeton.
An extensive walking/biking trail connects the neighborhoods.
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community that consists of ten self-contained villages, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not...
. It lies in the northwest part of Columbia and consists of the neighborhoods of Longfellow, Swansfield, and Hobbit's Glen and had a December 1998 population of 8,695.
Harper's Choice is named for Harper Goodloe Carroll, whose estate was in the area. Longfellow was named for the American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
and the street names are from his works. Hobbit's Glen was taken from the works of English author J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
, along with the street names. Swansfield's name was inspired by the etching The Swan by James McNeill Whistler
James McNeill Whistler
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American-born, British-based artist. Averse to sentimentality and moral allusion in painting, he was a leading proponent of the credo "art for art's sake". His famous signature for his paintings was in the shape of a stylized butterfly possessing a long stinger...
, and the street names derive from the works of Winslow Homer
Winslow Homer
Winslow Homer was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art....
.
Services
The Harper's Choice Village Center has a grocery store, banks, restaurants, and other retail establishments. The community center, Kahler Hall, was named for the Kahler family, whose farm was here. The original name for the village center was "Joseph Square", named for John Joseph, chairperson of the first Harper's Choice Village Board.The Florence Bain Senior Center, opened in 1983, is located in the Swansfield neighborhood, and is named for Florence Bain, who started the local AARP chapter and was the first chairperson of Howard County's Commission on Aging. Winter Growth/Ruth Keeton House, offering an assisted living program, is located next to the Senior Center. It is named for the former council member, Ruth Keeton.
Athletic facilities
The Athletic Club, one of Columbia's three athletic facilities, is located in Swansfield. An 18-hole par 72 golf course is located in Hobbit's Glen, which also includes tennis courts and a pool. The Columbia SportsPark, an 18-hole miniature golf course, batting cages, and skate park is located in the Harper's Choice village center.An extensive walking/biking trail connects the neighborhoods.