Bladensburg, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Bladensburg is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland
, United States
. The population was 7,661 at the 2000 census.
Bladensburg is 8.65 miles (13.9 km) from central Washington, DC. Areas in Bladensburg have the ZIP code
20710.
, governor of Maryland, 1742–1747. Bladensburg was established in 1742 as a regional commercial center by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly. The Act also authorized the town commissioners to purchase 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) of land to be laid out in 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) lots. The Act required that a house covering at least 400 square feet (37.2 m²) of ground with a brick or stone chimney be constructed within 18 months of the sale of the lot. As of 6 June 1746, only 18 of the lots had been improved according to the stipulations of the act. Christopher Lowndes
' house, Bostwick
, and those built by David Ross and William Hilleary (the William Hilleary House
) were among them. With the establishment in 1747 of a government tobacco inspection system, Bladensburg became a designated tobacco inspection and grading port. The Market Master's House
is evidence of that role.
A seaport during the colonial period, Bladensburg is best remembered for the Battle of Bladensburg
(1814) during the War of 1812
, which cleared the way for the burning of Washington
by British
troops. Its role as a seaport faded as the Anacostia River
silt
ed up and larger ships could no longer reach the port.
However, the town remained an important crossroads of routes north to Baltimore and Philadelphia, south and east to the towns of Annapolis and Upper Marlboro, and west to the District of Columbia. The original terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
was Bladensburg, forcing all passengers intended for Washington to board carriages in Bladensburg to continue on into the city. A sharp decline of passengers was experienced in Bladensburg when an extension of the B&O was permitted into the District of Columbia in 1835.
Bladensburg remained a small town throughout the rest of the 19th century with modest development and infrastructure improvements. A major attraction in Bladensburg from the 18th century through the 20th century was the Spa Springs. Thought to be a cure for various illnesses, the springs attracted visitors from throughout the region and reachable by the Washington, Spa Spring and Gretta Railroad. Another attraction was the Bladensburg Dueling Grounds
or Dueling Creek
, the site of many famous duels until after the American Civil War
. The town was incorporated in 1854. Schools and churches were constructed, including the first Freedmen’s Bureau
school for African-Americans in 1866. The town experienced its most significant growth in the early 20th century with the construction of the first two residential sections of the town in 1914 and 1917. Named Decatur Heights, the subdivisions had gridded streets platted on the north and south sides of Annapolis Road
. The town was enlarged again in 1947 by the Sunnybrook subdivision. The mid to late 20th century brought additional residential construction in the form of single-family houses and apartment complexes, as well as the construction of the Bladensburg Shopping Center.
In 1999, Bladensburg, Colmar Manor
, and Cottage City
were lauded by the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities for their collaboration with Prince George's County for the Port Towns Revitalization Initiative, which created a common Port Towns identity for the towns; encouraged businesses development through infrastructure and façade improvements; acquisition of historic properties and plans for their reuse; and reconstruction of the Bladensburg waterfront and marina.
:
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 1.00% is water.
of 2000, there were 7,661 people, 3,121 households, and 1,719 families residing in the town. The population density
was 7,766.1 people per square mile (2,987.8/km²). There were 3,443 housing units at an average density of 3,490.3 per square mile (1,342.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 16.42% White, 70.92% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.87% from other races
, and 2.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.07% of the population.
There were 3,121 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.8% were married couples
living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,966, and the median income for a family was $41,394. Males had a median income of $30,969 versus $28,538 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,046. About 7.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.
district.
Public elementary schools serving the town include:
, a private high school, is located in Bladensburg http://www.setonhs.org/.
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 7,661 at the 2000 census.
Bladensburg is 8.65 miles (13.9 km) from central Washington, DC. Areas in Bladensburg have the ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
20710.
Bordering areas
- EdmonstonEdmonston, MarylandEdmonston is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 959.It is from Washington, D.C. Edmonston's ZIP code is 20781.-History:...
(north) - HyattsvilleHyattsville, MarylandHyattsville is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 17,557 at the 2000 census.- History :The city was named for its founder, Christopher Clark Hyatt. He purchased his first parcel of land in the area in March 1845...
(northwest) - Cottage CityCottage City, MarylandCottage City is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. Cottage City is a small, quiet community lying between Eastern Avenue , Brentwood, Colmar Manor, and the Anacostia River...
(southwest) - Colmar ManorColmar Manor, MarylandColmar Manor is a town located in Prince George's County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,257. As the town developed at the beginning of the 20th century, it assumed a name derived from its proximity to the District of Columbia—the first syllable of Columbia...
(southwest)
History
Originally called Garrison’s Landing, Bladensburg was renamed in honor of Thomas BladenThomas Bladen
Sir Thomas Bladen was a politician and colonial governor. He served as the 19th Proprietary Governor of Maryland from 1742 to 1747.-Early life and marriage:...
, governor of Maryland, 1742–1747. Bladensburg was established in 1742 as a regional commercial center by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly. The Act also authorized the town commissioners to purchase 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) of land to be laid out in 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) lots. The Act required that a house covering at least 400 square feet (37.2 m²) of ground with a brick or stone chimney be constructed within 18 months of the sale of the lot. As of 6 June 1746, only 18 of the lots had been improved according to the stipulations of the act. Christopher Lowndes
Christopher Lowndes
Christopher Lowndes was a leading merchant in colonial Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland. He was named Commissioner of the town of Bladensburg in 1745, and in 1753 he was appointed one of the justices of Prince George's County, holding both offices until his death in...
' house, Bostwick
Bostwick (Bladensburg, Maryland)
Bostwick is a historic home located at Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. According to its date plaque, it was built in 1746 by Christopher Lowndes . The house was later the home of Lowndes’ son-in-law, Benjamin Stoddert , first Secretary of the Navy. Colonel Thomas H....
, and those built by David Ross and William Hilleary (the William Hilleary House
William Hilleary House (Bladensburg, Maryland)
The William Hilleary House, or Hilleary-Magruder House, is a historic home located at Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The house is the only 18th-century stone, gambrel-roofed house in Prince George's County...
) were among them. With the establishment in 1747 of a government tobacco inspection system, Bladensburg became a designated tobacco inspection and grading port. The Market Master's House
Market Master's House (Bladensburg, Maryland)
The Market Master's House is an 18th century vernacular Colonial-era stone dwelling with 20th century additions, set at the rear of a long, narrow lot in Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland. It was constructed ca...
is evidence of that role.
A seaport during the colonial period, Bladensburg is best remembered for the Battle of Bladensburg
Battle of Bladensburg
The Battle of Bladensburg took place during the War of 1812. The defeat of the American forces there allowed the British to capture and burn the public buildings of Washington, D.C...
(1814) during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, which cleared the way for the burning of Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
troops. Its role as a seaport faded as the Anacostia River
Anacostia River
The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is approximately long...
silt
Silt
Silt is granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay whose mineral origin is quartz and feldspar. Silt may occur as a soil or as suspended sediment in a surface water body...
ed up and larger ships could no longer reach the port.
However, the town remained an important crossroads of routes north to Baltimore and Philadelphia, south and east to the towns of Annapolis and Upper Marlboro, and west to the District of Columbia. The original terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
was Bladensburg, forcing all passengers intended for Washington to board carriages in Bladensburg to continue on into the city. A sharp decline of passengers was experienced in Bladensburg when an extension of the B&O was permitted into the District of Columbia in 1835.
Bladensburg remained a small town throughout the rest of the 19th century with modest development and infrastructure improvements. A major attraction in Bladensburg from the 18th century through the 20th century was the Spa Springs. Thought to be a cure for various illnesses, the springs attracted visitors from throughout the region and reachable by the Washington, Spa Spring and Gretta Railroad. Another attraction was the Bladensburg Dueling Grounds
Duel
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.Duels in this form were chiefly practised in Early Modern Europe, with precedents in the medieval code of chivalry, and continued into the modern period especially among...
or Dueling Creek
Dueling Creek
Dueling Creek is a tributary of the Anacostia River in southern Maryland in the United States.Dueling Creek is located in what is now Colmar Manor, Maryland....
, the site of many famous duels until after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The town was incorporated in 1854. Schools and churches were constructed, including the first Freedmen’s Bureau
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
The Freedmen's Bureau, was a U.S. federal government agency that aided distressed freedmen in 1865–1869, during the Reconstruction era of the United States....
school for African-Americans in 1866. The town experienced its most significant growth in the early 20th century with the construction of the first two residential sections of the town in 1914 and 1917. Named Decatur Heights, the subdivisions had gridded streets platted on the north and south sides of Annapolis Road
Maryland Route 450
Maryland Route 450 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 1 Alternate in Bladensburg east to US 50, US 301, and MD 2 near Annapolis. MD 450 is the original alignment of US 50 in Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties...
. The town was enlarged again in 1947 by the Sunnybrook subdivision. The mid to late 20th century brought additional residential construction in the form of single-family houses and apartment complexes, as well as the construction of the Bladensburg Shopping Center.
In 1999, Bladensburg, Colmar Manor
Colmar Manor, Maryland
Colmar Manor is a town located in Prince George's County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,257. As the town developed at the beginning of the 20th century, it assumed a name derived from its proximity to the District of Columbia—the first syllable of Columbia...
, and Cottage City
Cottage City, Maryland
Cottage City is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. Cottage City is a small, quiet community lying between Eastern Avenue , Brentwood, Colmar Manor, and the Anacostia River...
were lauded by the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities for their collaboration with Prince George's County for the Port Towns Revitalization Initiative, which created a common Port Towns identity for the towns; encouraged businesses development through infrastructure and façade improvements; acquisition of historic properties and plans for their reuse; and reconstruction of the Bladensburg waterfront and marina.
Historic sites
The following is a list of historic sites in Bladensburg identified by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning CommissionMaryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland.-History:...
:
| Site name | Image | Location | M-NCPPC Inventory Number | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bostwick Bostwick (Bladensburg, Maryland) Bostwick is a historic home located at Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. According to its date plaque, it was built in 1746 by Christopher Lowndes . The house was later the home of Lowndes’ son-in-law, Benjamin Stoddert , first Secretary of the Navy. Colonel Thomas H.... |
 |
3901 48th St. | 69-005-09 | Added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , 1975-08-19 |
| 2 | George Washington House George Washington House (Bladensburg, Maryland) The George Washington House, or Indian Queen Tavern, is located at Baltimore Ave., at Upshur St., in Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland It was constructed in 1732. The -story structure is constructed of brick Flemish bond on ends. The plan is rectangular, with a gabled roof, exterior... |
 |
Baltimore Ave. U.S. Route 1 in Maryland U.S. Route 1 is the easternmost and longest of the major north–south routes of the United States Numbered Highway System, running from Key West, Florida to Fort Kent, Maine. In the U.S... at Upshur St. |
69-005-02 | Added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , 1974-08-07 |
| 3 | Hilltop Manor Hilltop Manor (Bladensburg, Maryland) Hilltop Manor is an apartment complex consisting of eight brick garden apartment buildings, each of which is divided into two to six units or sections, constructed in 1942 and 1943, and located in Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland... |
 |
4100–4112, 4200–4214 53rd Ave., 4100–4210 53rd Pl., & 5300–5304 Annapolis Rd. | n/a | Added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , 2007-12-21 |
| 4 | Market Master's House Market Master's House (Bladensburg, Maryland) The Market Master's House is an 18th century vernacular Colonial-era stone dwelling with 20th century additions, set at the rear of a long, narrow lot in Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland. It was constructed ca... |
 |
4006 48th St. | 69-005-08 | Added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , 1990-03-29 |
| 5 | St. Paul’s Baptist Church | 4107 47th Street | 69-005-06 | ||
| 6 | William Hilleary House or Hilleary–Magruder House William Hilleary House (Bladensburg, Maryland) The William Hilleary House, or Hilleary-Magruder House, is a historic home located at Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The house is the only 18th-century stone, gambrel-roofed house in Prince George's County... |
 |
4703 Annapolis Rd. | 69-005-07 | Added to the National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... , 1978-07-20 |
Property taxes
Geography
Bladensburg is located at 38°56′29"N 76°55′48"W (38.941428, −76.930053).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 1.00% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,661 people, 3,121 households, and 1,719 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 7,766.1 people per square mile (2,987.8/km²). There were 3,443 housing units at an average density of 3,490.3 per square mile (1,342.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 16.42% White, 70.92% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.87% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.07% of the population.
There were 3,121 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,966, and the median income for a family was $41,394. Males had a median income of $30,969 versus $28,538 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $17,046. About 7.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
Bladensburg residents are zoned to schools in the Prince George's County Public SchoolsPrince George's County Public Schools
The Prince George's County Public Schools system is a large school district administered by the government of Prince George's County, Maryland, United States and is overseen by the Maryland State Department of Education...
district.
Public elementary schools serving the town include:
- Bladensburg Elementary School (Bladensburg)
- Port Towns Elementary School (Bladensburg)
- Rogers Heights Elementary School (Bladensburg)
- Templeton Elementary School (Bladensburg)
- William Wirt Middle School (Unincorporated Prince George's County) and Bladensburg High SchoolBladensburg High SchoolBladensburg High School is a secondary school located in Bladensburg, Maryland.The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district....
serve Bladensburg.
Private schools
Elizabeth Seton High SchoolElizabeth Seton High School
Elizabeth Seton High School is a private, all-girls Roman Catholic high school in Bladensburg, Maryland. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Elizabeth Seton High School was incorporated March 15, 1957 and opened with an enrollment of 138 freshmen and a faculty of six...
, a private high school, is located in Bladensburg http://www.setonhs.org/.
External links
- Town of Bladensburg
- Bladensburg Police Department
- Bladensburg High School
- Bladensburg Archaeology Project
- "Sunken ship may contain piece of Bladensburg history: Archeologists work to unearth piece of War of 1812 battle," by Daniel Leaderman, Gazette.Net, Sept. 2, 2010
- Bladensburg Historical Markers, The Maryland Historical Marker Database