Borders: The city line to the east; Wilkins Avenue, Gun Road and Shelbourne Avenue to the southeast; The county line to the west or southwest; and Baltimore National Pike, Old Frederick Road and Rolling Road to the north

Serene streets: Catonsville offers an easy way of life away from the city. (Photo by Jessica M. Garrett, Special to SunSpot)

Zip Code: 21228

Population: Approximately 35,233 residents

Schools: Public -- Catonsville Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Johnnycake Elementary, Westchester Elementary, Westowne Elementary, Woodbridge Elementary, Arbutus Elementary, Arbutus Middle School, Catonsville Middle School, Catonsville High School, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science, CCBC Catonsville (formerly Catonsville Community College), University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Howard Community College. Private/Parochial -- Ascension School of Halethorpe, Emmanuel Christian Day School, Mount de Sales Academy, Mount St. Joseph, Our Lady of Victory School, Seton Keough High School, St. Agnes, St. Mark School, St. Paul Lutheran Middle School, St. Paul Lutheran School, St. Timothy School

Places of worship: Catonsville Assembly of God, Catonsville Baptist Church, Full Gospel Baptist Church, Grace Bible Baptist Church, Morningstar Baptist Church, Christian Science Church, Woodbridge Valley Church of God, Reformed Episcopal Church, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Salem Lutheran Church, Bishop Cummins Memorial Church, Grace AME Church, Mount Gilboa AME Church, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, Christadelphian Church, Korean United Church of Baltimore, Immanuel United Church of Christ, St. John's United Church of Christ

Best place to take a study break: Students cram at all hours of the night at The Double-T Diner.

Best place to buy music: The bi-level Record & Tape Traders.

Mark your calendars: The Annual Arts and Crafts Festival in September includes food, live music and more than 200 arts and crafts vendors.
Visit the Santa House and Tree Lighting during the holidays.
Firecrackers set the scene at the Annual Catonsville July 4th Parade and Fireworks Celebration.

Claim to fame: The Catonsville 9, a group of nine Catholic activists, caught the world's attention in 1968 when they burned the records of a local draft board in protest of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Looking for a sign: Frederick Road is home to numerous sign stores, including Dixon Signs, Hard Graphics and Sign-a-Rama.

Superior sandwiches: Taneytown Deli offers nearly 100 choices.

For nature lovers: Patapsco Valley State Park is a beautiful place to hike, fish, camp, canoe, explore trails and enjoy a relaxing picnic. (See the Patapsco State Park Gallery .)