Hello Ms. Scherck,

Our staff at the Bureau of Highways has researched the ownership of Proctor Ave. back to the early 1900’s. We have been unable to locate a fee simple deed that transfers ownership of Proctor Ave to Anne Arundel County. The deed is the written document which transfers fee simple title (ownership) or an interest in real property to another person.

The paragraph that you provided as ownership documentation is from the Ferndale Farms Administrative Plat 1 of 1 (plat #12497). The Dedication By Owners is a standard clause on most modern day plats. The Dedication by Owners clause does not convey the road to Anne Arundel County or the State Highway Administration. Only a fee simple deed can convey the road right-of-way. The plat which was referred to is a lot line change plat that combined lots 1136, 1137 and 1/2 of 1138 to create Lot 1136R and combine lots 1140, 1139 and 1/2 of lot 1138 to create Lot 1140R. This plat does not convey property ownership. You will notice the last part of the clause states, “as may be appropriate on request”. To our knowledge, Anne Arundel County or State Highway Administration has made no request.

Should you be able to locate a fee simple deed identifying Anne Arundel County as the owner of Proctor Ave. we would be very happy to re-evaluate our conclusion, but at this time we consider Proctor Ave. a private road.
As a result of our investigation, we will be scheduling work to correct the Proctor Ave. street name sign.