Records show that John Smith-the very same man associated with Pocahontas-explored the area that’s now known as Dundalk, MD, in 1608. At this time, the region was occupied by the Susquehannock Native Americans. Although it’s unknown when exactly the settlers formed the community that would become Dundalk, it’s certain that there were European immigrants living in the area in the early 1800s. Henry McShane, an Irish immigrant, built a foundry along the banks of the Patapsco River in 1856. A railroad company laid down tracks and built a depot near the foundry. They opted to ask McShane for suggestions for the depot’s name, and McShane who was homesick suggested Dundalk.