Bowie, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Bowie is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland
, United States
. The population was 54,727 at the 2010 census. Bowie has grown from a small railroad stop to the largest municipality in Prince George's County
, and the fifth most populous city and third largest city by area in the state of Maryland
.
obtained a charter from the Maryland legislature
to construct a rail line into Southern Maryland. In 1869 the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Company began the construction of a railroad from Baltimore to Southern Maryland. The area had already been dotted with small farms and large tobacco plantations in an economy based on agriculture and slavery. In 1870 Ben Plumb, a land speculator and developer, sold building lots around the railroad junction and named the settlement Huntington City. By 1872, the line was completed, together with a spur to Washington DC. The remainder of the railroad through Southern Maryland and Pope's Creek was completed in 1873.
Huntington City was re-named in honor of the son of William Duckett Bowie
, Oden Bowie
, who was President of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad at the time, and previously Governor of Maryland
. The town was subsequently rechartered as Bowie in 1880. In the early days the land was subdivided by developers into more than 500 residential building lots, to create a large town site at a junction of the Baltimore and Potomac's main line to southern Maryland, and the branch line to Washington, DC.
. A second railroad entered the community when the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway
electric trolley line commenced service in 1908. The large interurban cars brought rapid transit to the area, with trains running hourly. Bowie area stations included High Bridge, Hillmeade, and the Race Track.
The convergence of the two rail systems induced the Southern Maryland Agricultural Society to build the Bowie Race Track
in 1914. The track enabled the Belair Stud
to become one of Maryland's premier areas for thoroughbreds. Also in 1914, a teacher-training college, or normal school
as it was referred to then, was built for African-Americans, just outside the town. This now has become Bowie State University
. In 1916,the town of Bowie was incorporated.
In 1957, the firm of Levitt and Sons
acquired the nearby Belair Estate, the original colonial plantation of the Provincial Governor of Maryland
, Samuel Ogle
, and developed the residential community of Belair at Bowie. Two years later the town of Bowie annexed the Levitt properties, and then re-incorporated the now-larger area as a city in 1963. The overwhelming majority of Bowie residents today live in this 1960s Levitt planned community, whose street names are arranged in alphabetical sections. Levitt & Sons had a long history of prohibiting the sale of houses (including resale by owners) to African Americans which led to civil rights protests in Bowie in 1963.
Bowie enjoys a rich and diverse historic and cultural heritage. The original Belair Estate contains the Belair Mansion
(circa 1745), the beautiful five-part Georgian plantation house of Governor Samuel Ogle
and his son Governor Benjamin Ogle
. It was purchased in 1898 by the wealthy banker James T. Woodward
who, on his passing in 1910, left it to his nephew, William Woodward, Sr.
, who became a famous horseman. Restored to reflect its 250-year-old legacy, the Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Belair Stable
, on the Estate, was part of the famous Belair Stud
, one of the premier racing stables in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Owned and operated by William Woodward, Sr.
(1876–1953), it closed in 1957 following the death of his son, Billy Woodward
. Belair had been the oldest continually operating thoroughbred horse farm in the country. It is said that the blood of Belair horses flows through the veins of every American race horse of distinction.
Bowie has grown from a small agricultural and railroad town to one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Maryland. It is a city of 16 square miles (41.4 km²) and approximately 50,000 residents. It has nearly 2000 acres (8.1 km²) set aside as parks or open space. It has 72 ball fields, three community centers, an ice arena at Allen Pond Park
, the Bowie Town Center
, the 800-seat Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, a 150-seat theatrical playhouse, a golf course, and three museums. Bowie is home to the Bowie Baysox
, a Class AA
Eastern League
professional baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles
. The Baysox currently play their home games at Prince George's Stadium
. The city has recently added a state-of-the-art senior citizens center and a gymnasium for community programs. The city is a family-oriented community whose motto is "Growth, unity and progress".
Despite its low crime rate, Bowie has seen high profile criminal activity. Michael Bray
was co-pastor at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Bowie when he conspired to bomb 10 clinics and offices of abortion supporters in three states and the District of Columbia from January 1984 through January 1985. He eventually served almost 4 years in prison for these crimes. On October 7, 2002, a 13-year old boy was critically wounded by a sniper soon after he was dropped off at Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie. This shooting was one in a series of murders and attempted murders referred to collectively as the Beltway sniper attacks
.
:
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²), or 0.12%, is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 50,269 people, 18,188 households, and 13,568 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,121.9 people per square mile (1,205.5/km²). There were 18,718 housing units at an average density of 1,162.5 per square mile (448.9/km²).
There were 18,188 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples
living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $99,105, and the median income for a family was $109,157. Males had a median income of $52,284 versus $40,471 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $30,703. About 0.7% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
as established by the city charter. This means that the mayor and council are responsible for making policy, passing ordinances, voting appropriations, and having overall supervisory authority in the city government. The council appoints a professional city manager responsible for supervising government operations and implementing the policies adopted by the council.
system.
Area residents are zoned to Benjamin Tasker Middle School or Samuel Ogle Middle School, and Bowie High School
.
Elementary schools in Bowie include Heather Hills, High Bridge, Kenilworth, Northview, Pointer Ridge, Rockledge, Tulip Grove, Whitehall, and Yorktown Elementary Schools. Two special education centers are Chapel Forge and C. Elizabeth Reig. A voc/tech school is located at Tall Oaks High School.
, located north of Bowie, has been open since 1865.
. The Bowie Police Department is also aided by the Prince George's County Police and the Sheriff's Office
as directed by authority.
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 54,727 at the 2010 census. Bowie has grown from a small railroad stop to the largest municipality in Prince George's County
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....
, and the fifth most populous city and third largest city by area in the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
19th century
The city of Bowie owes its existence to the railway. In 1853, Col. William Duckett BowieWilliam Duckett Bowie
William Duckett Bowie , was an American politician. The eldest child of William Bowie and Kitty Beanes Duckett, he was born at Fairview Plantation in Prince Georges County, Maryland.-Career and Wealth:...
obtained a charter from the Maryland legislature
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
to construct a rail line into Southern Maryland. In 1869 the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Company began the construction of a railroad from Baltimore to Southern Maryland. The area had already been dotted with small farms and large tobacco plantations in an economy based on agriculture and slavery. In 1870 Ben Plumb, a land speculator and developer, sold building lots around the railroad junction and named the settlement Huntington City. By 1872, the line was completed, together with a spur to Washington DC. The remainder of the railroad through Southern Maryland and Pope's Creek was completed in 1873.
Huntington City was re-named in honor of the son of William Duckett Bowie
William Duckett Bowie
William Duckett Bowie , was an American politician. The eldest child of William Bowie and Kitty Beanes Duckett, he was born at Fairview Plantation in Prince Georges County, Maryland.-Career and Wealth:...
, Oden Bowie
Oden Bowie
Oden Bowie , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 34th Governor of the State of Maryland in the United States from 1869 to 1872.-Childhood:...
, who was President of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad at the time, and previously Governor of Maryland
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
. The town was subsequently rechartered as Bowie in 1880. In the early days the land was subdivided by developers into more than 500 residential building lots, to create a large town site at a junction of the Baltimore and Potomac's main line to southern Maryland, and the branch line to Washington, DC.
20th century
By 1902, the Baltimore & Potomac was purchased by the powerful Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. A second railroad entered the community when the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway
Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway
The Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway , now defunct, was an American railroad of central Maryland and Washington, DC built in the 19th and 20th century. The WB&A absorbed two older railroads, the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad and the Baltimore & Annapolis Short Line, and...
electric trolley line commenced service in 1908. The large interurban cars brought rapid transit to the area, with trains running hourly. Bowie area stations included High Bridge, Hillmeade, and the Race Track.
The convergence of the two rail systems induced the Southern Maryland Agricultural Society to build the Bowie Race Track
Bowie Race Track
The Bowie Race Track was a horse racing track located just outside the city limits of Bowie, Maryland. Opened October 1, 1914 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Society, the racetrack was a major attraction in the area, serving the now defunct WB&A Railroad that drew passengers from New York,...
in 1914. The track enabled the Belair Stud
Belair Stud
Belair Stud was an American thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm founded by Provincial Governor of Maryland, Samuel Ogle in 1747 in Collington, Prince Georges County, Maryland in Colonial America.-Colonial Period:...
to become one of Maryland's premier areas for thoroughbreds. Also in 1914, a teacher-training college, or normal school
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
as it was referred to then, was built for African-Americans, just outside the town. This now has become Bowie State University
Bowie State University
Bowie State University , is a public university located on 355½ acres in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, north of the suburban city of Bowie. Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland...
. In 1916,the town of Bowie was incorporated.
In 1957, the firm of Levitt and Sons
William Levitt
William Jaird Levitt was an American real-estate developer widely credited as the father of modern American suburbia. He came to symbolize the new suburban growth with his use of mass-production techniques to construct large developments of houses selling for under $10,000...
acquired the nearby Belair Estate, the original colonial plantation of the Provincial Governor of Maryland
Province of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S...
, Samuel Ogle
Samuel Ogle
Samuel Ogle was the 16th, 18th and 20th Proprietary Governor of Maryland from 1731 to 1732, 1733 to 1742, and 1746/1747 to 1752.-Background:...
, and developed the residential community of Belair at Bowie. Two years later the town of Bowie annexed the Levitt properties, and then re-incorporated the now-larger area as a city in 1963. The overwhelming majority of Bowie residents today live in this 1960s Levitt planned community, whose street names are arranged in alphabetical sections. Levitt & Sons had a long history of prohibiting the sale of houses (including resale by owners) to African Americans which led to civil rights protests in Bowie in 1963.
Bowie enjoys a rich and diverse historic and cultural heritage. The original Belair Estate contains the Belair Mansion
Belair Mansion
The Belair Mansion, located in Collington, Maryland, United States, was built in circa 1745 as the Georgian plantation home of the Provincial Governor of Maryland, Samuel Ogle...
(circa 1745), the beautiful five-part Georgian plantation house of Governor Samuel Ogle
Samuel Ogle
Samuel Ogle was the 16th, 18th and 20th Proprietary Governor of Maryland from 1731 to 1732, 1733 to 1742, and 1746/1747 to 1752.-Background:...
and his son Governor Benjamin Ogle
Benjamin Ogle
Benjamin Ogle was the ninth Governor of Maryland from 1798 to 1801.-Early life:The Ogle family was quite prominent for many centuries in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England, dating from the medieval period. Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Benjamin Ogle was the son of former Provincial...
. It was purchased in 1898 by the wealthy banker James T. Woodward
James T. Woodward
James T. Woodward was an American banker and owner of a major thoroughbred horse dynasty.-Background:James T...
who, on his passing in 1910, left it to his nephew, William Woodward, Sr.
William Woodward, Sr.
William Woodward, Sr. was an American banker and major owner and breeder in thoroughbred horse racing.-Background:...
, who became a famous horseman. Restored to reflect its 250-year-old legacy, the Mansion is listed on 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...
.
Belair Stable
Belair Stable Museum
The Belair Stable Museum is located at 2835 Belair Drive in Bowie, Maryland. It is operated by the City of Bowie, Maryland. The building once housed the Belair Stud Farm until 1957 when the Woodward family sold the Belair Estate to Levitt & Sons for the construction of Belair at Bowie.This U-shaped...
, on the Estate, was part of the famous Belair Stud
Belair Stud
Belair Stud was an American thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm founded by Provincial Governor of Maryland, Samuel Ogle in 1747 in Collington, Prince Georges County, Maryland in Colonial America.-Colonial Period:...
, one of the premier racing stables in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Owned and operated by William Woodward, Sr.
William Woodward, Sr.
William Woodward, Sr. was an American banker and major owner and breeder in thoroughbred horse racing.-Background:...
(1876–1953), it closed in 1957 following the death of his son, Billy Woodward
William Woodward, Jr.
William "Billy" Woodward, Jr. was the heir to the Hanover National Bank fortune , the Belair Estate and stud farm and legacy,...
. Belair had been the oldest continually operating thoroughbred horse farm in the country. It is said that the blood of Belair horses flows through the veins of every American race horse of distinction.
Bowie today
Honoring the tradition of a rail town, the City of Bowie has preserved this piece of its history in the Huntington Railroad Museum, which includes historic materials displayed in the station's restored railroad buildings. In 2006, the City reopened the Bowie Building Association building as a Welcome Center for all to enjoy and learn about the history of Bowie. This building is a small brick and block structure constructed circa 1930. It originally housed the Bowie Building Association, which helped finance much of the development in the early days of the community.Bowie has grown from a small agricultural and railroad town to one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Maryland. It is a city of 16 square miles (41.4 km²) and approximately 50,000 residents. It has nearly 2000 acres (8.1 km²) set aside as parks or open space. It has 72 ball fields, three community centers, an ice arena at Allen Pond Park
Allen Pond Park
Allen Pond Park is an multi-use park located in Bowie, Maryland and is part of the Prince Georges County Parks and Recreation Department. The park includes an Ice Arena, Amphitheater, boat rentals, Skate Park, stocked pond, 6 lighted ballfields, picnic areas and pavilions, walking and biking...
, the Bowie Town Center
Bowie Town Center
-History:Shopping center developer Simon Property Group of Indianapolis broke ground on the retail portion of the project — a lifestyle center called Bowie Town Center in October 2000. The Town Center project was a by-product of improvements that were made years ago to Route 50...
, the 800-seat Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, a 150-seat theatrical playhouse, a golf course, and three museums. Bowie is home to the Bowie Baysox
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
, a Class AA
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Eastern League
Eastern League (U.S. baseball)
The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
professional baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. The Baysox currently play their home games at Prince George's Stadium
Prince George's Stadium
Prince George's Stadium is a multipurpose sports venue located in Bowie, Maryland primarily used for baseball. It is home of the Baltimore Orioles' AA affiliate in the Eastern League, the Bowie Baysox...
. The city has recently added a state-of-the-art senior citizens center and a gymnasium for community programs. The city is a family-oriented community whose motto is "Growth, unity and progress".
Despite its low crime rate, Bowie has seen high profile criminal activity. Michael Bray
Michael Bray
Michael Bray is an American anti-abortion activist convicted in 1985 of two counts of conspiracy and one count of possessing unregistered explosive devices in relation to 10 bombings of women's health clinics and offices of liberal advocacy groups in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia...
was co-pastor at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Bowie when he conspired to bomb 10 clinics and offices of abortion supporters in three states and the District of Columbia from January 1984 through January 1985. He eventually served almost 4 years in prison for these crimes. On October 7, 2002, a 13-year old boy was critically wounded by a sniper soon after he was dropped off at Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie. This shooting was one in a series of murders and attempted murders referred to collectively as the Beltway sniper attacks
Beltway sniper attacks
The Washington sniper attacks took place during three weeks in October 2002 in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Ten people were killed and three others critically injured in various locations throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area and along Interstate 95 in Virginia...
.
Historic sites
The following is a list of historic sites in the city of Bowie and vicinity 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 | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belair | Tulip Grove and Belair Drives | 71B-004 | Listed on 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... , 1977-09-16 |
|
| 2 | Belair Stables |  |
Belair Drive | 71B-005 | Listed on 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... , 1973-05-08 |
| 3 | Bowie Railroad Buildings Bowie Railroad Buildings The Bowie Railroad Buildings comprise three small frame structures which served as the depot complex for the Pennsylvania Railroad at the junction of the Washington and the Pope's Creek branches. The complex is located at Bowie in Prince George's County, Maryland... |
8614 Chestnut Ave. | 71B-002-09 | Listed on 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... , 1998-11-04 |
|
| 4 | Boyden House | 6501 Hillmeade Road | 71A-034 | ||
| 5 | Fair Running (Maenner House) | 7704 Laurel-Bowie Road Maryland Route 197 Maryland Route 197 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as Laurel–Bowie Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 301 in Bowie north to MD 198 in Laurel. In addition to being the main connection between Bowie and Laurel, MD 197 provides access... |
71B-015 | ||
| 6 | Fairview Plantation Fairview Plantation Fairview Plantation was built around the year 1800 by Baruch Duckett in Collington, Maryland. The house is a transitional federal/Greek revival design considered to be a significant part of the Prince George's County heritage. Fairview is a two-story stuccoed brick plantation house with flush end... |
4600 Fairview Vista Drive | 71A-013 | ||
| 7 | Don S. S. Goodloe House Don S. S. Goodloe House The Don S. S. Goodloe House, a 1915–16 Colonial Revival style building veneered with brick, is significant for its association with Don Speed Smith Goodloe, the first principal of the Maryland Normal and Industrial School. The school, now Bowie State University, was Maryland's first postsecondary... |
 |
13809 Jericho Park Rd. | 71A-030 | Listed on 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... , 1988-10-13; African American Heritage site |
| 8 | Governors Bridge |  |
Governors Bridge Road at Patuxent River Patuxent River The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between... |
74B-001 | |
| 9 | Harmon-Phelps House | 8706 Maple Avenue | 71B-002-08 | ||
| 10 | Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Bowie, Maryland) Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bowie, Maryland was established in 1836 when it became independent of Queen Anne Parish.-History:On December 17, 1717, Reverend Jacob Henderson was appointed as rector of Queen Anne Parish. That same year, he acquired numerous parcels of property through his... |
 |
13104 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... |
71A-009a | |
| 11 | Holy Trinity Church Rectory Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Bowie, Maryland) Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bowie, Maryland was established in 1836 when it became independent of Queen Anne Parish.-History:On December 17, 1717, Reverend Jacob Henderson was appointed as rector of Queen Anne Parish. That same year, he acquired numerous parcels of property through his... |
13106 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... |
71A-009b | ||
| 12 | Ingersoll House | 9006 Laurel-Bowie Road Maryland Route 197 Maryland Route 197 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as Laurel–Bowie Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 301 in Bowie north to MD 198 in Laurel. In addition to being the main connection between Bowie and Laurel, MD 197 provides access... |
71A-003 | ||
| 13 | Knights of St. John Hall | 13004 12th Street | 71B-002-23 | ||
| 14 | Melford Melford (Mitchellville, Maryland) Melford is a historic plantation home located on the grounds of the Maryland Science and Technology Center, near the intersection of U.S. Route 301 and U.S. Route 50, at Bowie, Prince George's County, Maryland... |
 |
17107 Melford Boulevard | 71B-016 | Listed on 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... , 1988-04-06; also listed at Mitchellville Mitchellville, Maryland Mitchellville is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,611 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Six Flags America theme park, Country Club at Woodmore, and Freeway Airport. The Capital Centre was located in... |
| 15 | Mitchellville Storekeeper's House and Store Site | 2608 Mitchellville Road | 71B-007 | ||
| 16 | Ryon House | 13125 11th Street | 71B-002-03 | ||
| 17 | Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sacred Heart Church (Bowie, Maryland) Sacred Heart Church in Bowie, Maryland is a Catholic Church established in 1729.-Historical background:Sacred Heart Church had been better known as White Marsh after the long stretch of sandy loam between the church and the Patuxent River and marsh... |
 |
16101 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... |
71A-019 | Site where the Catholic Church in America was first organized, and the first US Catholic Bishop, John Carroll was petitioned, then named by the Vatican. |
| 18 | Albert Smith House | 9201 Laurel-Bowie Road Maryland Route 197 Maryland Route 197 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as Laurel–Bowie Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 301 in Bowie north to MD 198 in Laurel. In addition to being the main connection between Bowie and Laurel, MD 197 provides access... |
71A-002 | ||
| 19 | St. James Episcopal Chapel | 13010 8th Street | 71B-002-05 | ||
| 20 | Straining House | 13005 7th Street | 71B-002-01 | ||
| 21 | Williams Plains Williams Plains (Bowie, Maryland) Williams Plains is a historic home located in the White Marsh Recreational Park at Bowie in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is a -story brick house, with a Flemish bond south facade and six-course common bond used for the remaining walls... |
 |
MD 3, White Marsh Recreational Park | 71B-003 | Listed on 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... , 1980-11-28 |
Geography
Bowie is located at 38°57′53"N 76°44′40"W (38.964727, -76.744531).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 city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²), or 0.12%, is water.
Bordering areas
- Glenn DaleGlenn Dale, MarylandGlenn Dale is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,609 at the 2000 census...
(northwest) - CroftonCrofton, MarylandCrofton is a census-designated place and planned community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. Established in 1964, Crofton held its 40th birthday celebration in 2004....
(northeast) - DavidsonvilleDavidsonville, MarylandDavidsonville is an unincorporated community in central Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA. It is a semi-rural community composed mostly of farms and suburban-like developments and is a good example of an "exurb." Davidsonville has relatively little commercial development and no high-density housing...
(east) - WoodmoreWoodmore, MarylandWoodmore is an unincorporated area and Census-designated place composed of a gated community and country club in Mitchellville, Maryland, one of the most affluent predominantly African-American communities in the United States...
(southwest) - MitchellvilleMitchellville, MarylandMitchellville is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,611 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Six Flags America theme park, Country Club at Woodmore, and Freeway Airport. The Capital Centre was located in...
(southwest) - KetteringKettering, MarylandKettering is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,008 at the 2000 census, primarily African-American. The name Kettering was created by a suburban housing developer in the 1960s when development began...
(southwest) - Greater Upper MarlboroGreater Upper Marlboro, MarylandGreater Upper Marlboro is a census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States that completely surrounds Upper Marlboro, the county seat...
(south)
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census Bowie had a population of 54,727. 99.5% of the population lived in households with a total of 19,950 households. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 38.9% non-Hispanic white, 47.9% non-Hispanic black, 0.3% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race and 3.6% from two or more races. 5.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.As of the census
Census
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 50,269 people, 18,188 households, and 13,568 families residing in the city. 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 3,121.9 people per square mile (1,205.5/km²). There were 18,718 housing units at an average density of 1,162.5 per square mile (448.9/km²).
- The racial makeup of the city was:
- 62.65% White
- 30.83% Black or African American
- 2.95% Asian
- 2.92% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
- 2.30% from two or more races
- 0.93% Other races
- 0.30% Native American
- 0.03% Pacific Islander
There were 18,188 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% 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, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $99,105, and the median income for a family was $109,157. Males had a median income of $52,284 versus $40,471 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 city was $30,703. About 0.7% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
- Rank by Per Capita Income in Prince George's County: 7
- Rank by Per Capita Income in Maryland: 65
Government
The City of Bowie operates under a council-manager governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
as established by the city charter. This means that the mayor and council are responsible for making policy, passing ordinances, voting appropriations, and having overall supervisory authority in the city government. The council appoints a professional city manager responsible for supervising government operations and implementing the policies adopted by the council.
- MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
: G. Frederick Robinson - Todd Turner - Mayor Pro Tem & Councilmember, District 3
- City CouncilCity councilA city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
:- James Marcos - Councilmember, District 1
- Diane Polangin - Councilmember, District 2
- Isaac Trouth - Councilmember, District 4
- Dennis Brady - At-Large Councilmember
- Geraldine Valentino-Smith - At-large Councilmember
- City Manager: David J. Deutsch
- Assistant City Manager: John L. Fitzwater
- Public Safety Coordinator: Alan L. Creveling
Largest employers
According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince George's County Public Schools Prince 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... |
1,023 |
| 2 | MedAssurant MedAssurant MedAssurant, Inc. is an American health care data analytics company based in Bowie, Maryland.Founded in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1998, the company focuses on developing tools that enable rapid health care data aggregation and validation from medical facilities for clients that include... |
700 |
| 3 | Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000... |
463 |
| 4 | City of Bowie | 411 |
| 5 | Giant | 343 |
Public schools
Bowie is within 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...
system.
Area residents are zoned to Benjamin Tasker Middle School or Samuel Ogle Middle School, and Bowie High School
Bowie High School (Maryland)
Bowie High School is a public high school in Bowie, Maryland. It is part of Prince George's County Public Schools.-Academics:Bowie High School has the second highest student SAT average in Prince George's County, and is rated second on The Washington Post's Advanced Placement Challenge Index....
.
Elementary schools in Bowie include Heather Hills, High Bridge, Kenilworth, Northview, Pointer Ridge, Rockledge, Tulip Grove, Whitehall, and Yorktown Elementary Schools. Two special education centers are Chapel Forge and C. Elizabeth Reig. A voc/tech school is located at Tall Oaks High School.
Private schools
Bowie is home to several private schools:- Ascension Day Care and Kindergarten
- Belair Baptist Christian Academy
- Bowie MontessoriMontessori methodMontessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 20,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to eighteen years old.-Overview:...
Children's House - Christian Community Presbyterian Church Nursery School
- Cornerstone Christian Academy
- Cresthill Christian Academy
- Grace Christian School (Grades K–8)
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Day SchoolHoly Trinity Episcopal Day SchoolHoly Trinity Episcopal Day School is a private school located in Bowie, Maryland and Glenn Dale, Maryland. The lower school, in Bowie, is for grades one through four. The pre-school and middle school in Glenn Dale is for preschooler, kindergarten, and grades five through eight.The Parish Hall,...
- Patuxent Montessori School
- Redeemer Child Care Center
- St. Matthew's Early Education Center
- St. Pius X Regional School (Grades K–8)
Colleges and universities
Bowie State UniversityBowie State University
Bowie State University , is a public university located on 355½ acres in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, north of the suburban city of Bowie. Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland...
, located north of Bowie, has been open since 1865.
Law enforcement
The primary law enforcement agency for the city is the Bowie Police DepartmentBowie Police Department
The Bowie City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Bowie, Maryland, servicing a population of 54,884 in of the municipality.-History:...
. The Bowie Police Department is also aided by the Prince George's County Police and the Sheriff's Office
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services in Prince George's County, Maryland in the United States. Its headquarters is located in Upper Marlboro. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of Prince George's County and is elected by popular vote of the...
as directed by authority.
Sports
| Team | Sport | League | Championships | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie Baysox Bowie Baysox The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League... |
Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... |
Eastern League Eastern League (U.S. baseball) The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League... ; South Division |
0 | Prince George's Stadium Prince George's Stadium Prince George's Stadium is a multipurpose sports venue located in Bowie, Maryland primarily used for baseball. It is home of the Baltimore Orioles' AA affiliate in the Eastern League, the Bowie Baysox... |