Early History of RRLRAIA

The Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area Improvement Association was formed on January 29, 1953, when a neighborhood organization meeting drew more than 200 residents to adopt a constitution and bylaws. Its purpose was to be a permanent, well-manned organization on alert for encroachments and threats to community life...to keep residents informed and bring such problems, as well as community needs, before appropriate agencies. Its first project was to prevent the new I-83 link from being routed through Ruxton past the L'Hirondelle Club and over Lake Roland. It also vigorously promoted the interceptor sewer line and additional lines to help stop pollution in Lake Roland, and it was active in numerous zoning issues. Its first officers were: W. Page Dame, chairman of the board; James E. Hooper, president; F. Barton Harvey, Jr., vice president; Charles D. Harrington, treasurer; and Mrs. E. Lawrence Dinning, Jr., secretary and assistant treasurer.