Take a drive down Garland Groh Blvd. in Hagerstown, Maryland, and you’re moving through local history. Groh Enterprises is more than just a name in real estate development and philanthropic work—it’s a reputation stemming from a long history of unwavering dedication to community, one that’s deeply rooted in the region.
At a time when mortgage lenders didn’t yet exist, if anyone wanted to buy a house, they’d visit the Groh family patriarch—a man already invested in the real estate business and finding ways to cater to the public's financial needs.
Later, Vincent Groh—the son of Garland Groh, the obvious namesake for Garland Groh Blvd.—grew up learning about real estate and law, and while his family history was steeped in both, he moved into adulthood without an inheritance and making his own success as a self-made man.
After a family trip to Europe in the 1970s, Vincent felt inspired to bring home some of that energy and charming city layout, leading to what would be an ongoing revitalization of downtown Hagerstown. If you’ve driven down Hager’s Row, you’re experiencing a slice of Vincent’s enduring vision from that time.
Beyond the real estate redevelopment efforts that Vincent spearheaded over the decades, there was a quieter but persistent dedication to giving back. One of the most well-known—and perhaps endearing—legacies is that of The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, a result of Vincent donating the former Henry’s Theater building to be used as an arts magnet school while also honoring his wife in the process.
Both development and philanthropy continue to have a strong presence in the Groh family’s business dynamics. After all, both components are a part of Groh Enterprise’s DNA, and now, four generations—and counting!—have dedicated their funds, resources, and talents to help spur community growth and ongoing economic development.
