Utopian experiment in Sykesville

In the town of Historic Sykesville, MD, due to the recent town election, we have come to the end of a Utopian experiment. it began in 1985 with an influx of new residents, many in their late 20's looking for a new place to live. They were attracted to Sykesville, with it's boarded up storefronts, low property values, small town atmosphere, and it's proximity to Frederick, Baltimore, and Washington.

The newcomers, worked separately and together, restoring dilapidated homes, opening new businesses, and volunteering for town committees. Much was accomplished, but some key residents drifted away, and enthusiasm waned.