Abell is a predominantly residential community that structurally conforms to a grid street pattern established in the area during the first quarter of the 20th century.

East of Barclay Street in the northern portion are a number of interesting late-19th-century individual frame structures which remain from the former Victorian-era village of Waverly.

Early in its development, during the 1920s and 1920s, Abell was known for its well-constructed row houses and such plumbing amenities as running water and indoor sanitary provisions.

The early subdivision of Huntington had brought into being a number of attractive country seats including a few in the Abell neighborhood.

An important local landmark originally part of the early Waverly community still exists in Abell.

Throughout the early 19th century men from Ft. McHenry were moved to the higher and healthier atmosphere of the Abell area, near the intersection of Old and New York Roads, to escape the threat of malaria.

In 1846 James Wilson, a large landowner in the area, erected a small chapel which he called the Huntington Baptist Church.