text:
Hughesville, Maryland

Hughesville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,197 at the 2010 census. Truman's Place was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 29.1 km2, of which 28.9 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 0.69%, is water.

Hughesville was a tobacco market town. The former tobacco warehouses are now used for second-hand thrift stores and boutique gift and craft shops.

Because Hughesville, though small, is considered the strategic geographic center of the tri-county Southern Maryland region, it houses institutions such as the headquarters for the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, an animal shelter, an economic development council, a board of realtors, and a homeless women's shelter, which serve the tri-county area. There is also a Girl Scout camp. The town has no traditional grid-layout streets, but consists of merely businesses along the highway and some very small outlying housing developments. It was announced in 2013 that the College of Southern Maryland is building their fourth campus in the town.

A 5.5-MW solar farm near Hughesville generates enough power for 600 homes, and offsets the pollution of 1,600 cars.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,537 people, 503 households, and 407 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 137.4 PD/sqmi. There were 529 housing units at an average density of 47.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.04% White, 13.08% African American, 0.72% Native American, 2.73% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.

There were 503 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $90,697, and the median income for a family was $103,393. Males had a median income of $49,500 versus $36,563 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,884. About 4.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Hughesville, Maryland


text:
Indian Head, Maryland

Indian Head is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,894 at the 2020 U.S. Census. It has been the site of a naval base specializing in gun and rocket propellants since 1890. Production of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder began at the Indian Head Powder Factory in 1900. The name of the base has varied over the years from Indian Head Proving Ground, to Naval Powder Factory, to Naval Propellant Plant, to Naval Ordnance Station, to the present Naval Support Facility Indian Head. The facility's main tenant activity is the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC/IH). Advanced research in energetic systems takes place at NSWC/IH. NSWC/IH absorbed the function of the closed Naval Ordnance Laboratory, formerly in White Oak. The base currently employs 3,700 people.

History
The peninsula, a "head" of land overlooking the Potomac River, had been long occupied by various cultures of indigenous peoples. The historic Algonquian-speaking Native American tribe was the Mattawoman (likely a band of the Piscataway) encountered by the first English settlers; the latter called the land "Indian Head", meaning "Indian Peninsula". According to research published by the historical society of Charles County, "Indian Head" is a shortened form of "Indian Headlands". A newspaper article mentions another explanation of the name, that "an unfortunate young brave" from a foreign tribe was beheaded for falling in love with an "Algonquin princess", although Edward W. Rice (the town's mayor at that time) dismissed the story as a "fairy tale".

American Civil War
During the American Civil War, Union Brigadier General Joseph Hooker commanded the Third Brigade near Budd's Ferry in August 1861. The site was a gathering spot for volunteers, including the 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Samuel H. Starr. The site was also used by the Union Army Balloon Corps for reconnaissance of Confederate troop movements across the Potomac.

Incorporation
The town of Indian Head was incorporated in 1920. It is located between the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek on Mattawoman/Cornwallis Neck, named for the 1654 grant of 5000 acre by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, to Capt. Thomas Cornwallis of St. Mary's County. This land grant included the 2000 acre Cornwallis Manor on the Potomac, presumably the Indian Head site, with St. Elizabeth's Manor of 2000 acre "nearby but detached". The Town of Indian Head occupies land that was once part of the territory of the Algonquin Indians. The origin of the name Indian Head originates from the term "Indian Headlands", as the entire lower end of the peninsula was occupied by Native Americans and was an Indian Reservation. The name Indian Head first appears in the Census of 1800. In 1850, the Washington Fruit Growers Association purchased a parcel of land, which included Indian Head and "Glymont". Charles Pye offered for sale, a parcel of land (664 acres) known as Glymont, On December 2, 1834. The same 664 acres was put up for sale again on July 22, 1843, after the death of Charles Pye. The two tracts of land were purchased by The Glymont Improvement Company and recorded on March 20, 1887. The land (540 acres) was owned by B.D. Tubman and was known as "Glymont". The second tract was called “Cornwallis Neck”, and was sometimes known as “Pye’s Wharf Estate”. It adjoined the lands of S. H. Cox and R. A. Chapman, the first-mentioned tract and others containing 480 acres of land, more or less. Glymont, with Pye's Wharf and Leonard Marbury's Wharf, were the largest river port in Charles County. The name "Indian Head" applies to the land west of Glymont.

During the Second World War, Indian Head thrived, with economic prosperity lasting until the late 1960s. The construction of the planned community of St. Charles, south of Waldorf, brought with it retail chains and big-box stores. This resulted in the downfall of Indian Head businesses as Indian Head residents began spending their income in St. Charles.

Indian Head lacks many basic retail and service businesses. Many remedies for this situation have been attempted, but the desired growth has been slow in coming. Indian Head is bisected by Maryland Route 210, generally known as Indian Head Highway. It goes directly into the middle of town at the entrance to Indian Head Naval Support Facility. Because of this, the town cannot benefit from through-traffic, but must be a destination in its own right.

Private plans to build a massive "Chapman's Landing" housing development a few miles to the north were thwarted in the 1990s when the state government purchased the land to preserve it as green space under its "smart growth" program. The preserved land includes an old growth Shell-Marl Ravine Forest ecosystem.

In 2004, the town opened a "black box" stage theater, the Indian Head Center for the Arts, and is exploring other efforts to revitalize the town. A section of the railroad to the naval facility, built in 1918, was converted to a 13-mile paved hiking/biking trail in 2008. A year-round swimming pool is at the nearby Henry E. Lackey High School. In 2018 the long-abandoned Elys' store was demolished, and a technology education center called the "Velocity Center" completed in 2020, linked to the Naval base (but with opening delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic).

The indigenous Piscataway Conoy Tribe of Maryland consider the name of the town offensive and have petitioned to have the name changed.

Youngest mayor
In 2015, Brandon Paulin was elected mayor of Indian Head. Brandon was 19 years of age when he was elected, making him the youngest mayor of any Maryland municipality in state history. As Vice Mayor, Kiran (Ron) Sitoula is the first Nepali to be elected to a public position outside of Nepal and the first non-US-born official in the history of the Town of Indian Head. Brandon was elected on May 5, 2015, and sworn into office on May 12, 2015.

Geography
Indian Head is located at 38.59778°N, -77.15694°W (38.597781, -77.156926).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.23 sqmi, all land.

Transportation
The main method of transportation to and from Indian Head is by road. The only highway serving the town is Maryland Route 210, the aptly named Indian Head Highway, which connects the town to Washington, D.C., and Interstate 95/Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway).

2020 Census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,844 people, 1,391 households, and 995 families residing in the town. The population density was 3125.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,554 housing units at an average density of 1263.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 35.9% White, 55.5% African American, 1.3% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 1,391 households, of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 25.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the town was 33.2 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 7.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,422 people, 1,222 households, and 888 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,792.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,311 housing units at an average density of 1,069.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 55.64% White, 38.08% African American, 1.78% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% of the population.

There were 1,222 households, out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 33.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,702, and the median income for a family was $48,375. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $31,451 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,778. About 9.9% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Indian Head, Maryland


text:
La Plata, Maryland

La Plata is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 10,159 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Charles County.

History
According to an unconfirmed local story, the town was named by one Colonel Samuel Chapman, whose family owned 6,000 acre of land in Charles County. The Colonel traveled to South America with his son George, who had contracted tuberculosis, in search of a cure. In his travels, the Colonel had apparently encountered the Río de la Plata, which flows through Argentina and Uruguay, thus naming a portion of his property "La Plata".

In the 1870s, a section of the Pennsylvania Railroad had been constructed through the town of La Plata, leading to its 1888 incorporation.

The La Plata courthouse had been built soon after the 1819 Port Tobacco courthouse caught fire in 1895 under suspicious circumstances. In 1904, the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Port Tobacco, which dates to 1683 and was reconstructed in 1884, was dismantled and its stones were then transported by oxen and cart to its current lot in La Plata.

In 1940, the opening of the then Potomac River Bridge (later, the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge), which carries U.S. Route 301 over the Potomac River, provided a link to King George, Virginia and brought long-distance east coast traffic through the town as an alternative to U.S. 1 and, later, Interstate 95.

Tornadoes
La Plata has been affected by two major tornadoes in its history.

1926

On November 9, 1926, an F4 tornado killed 17 people, 14 of them in the La Plata Elementary School, which was destroyed.

1994

On July 27, 1994, two nonfatal twisters, that came only 11 minutes apart, went through the area. The first of them was rated F2 on the Fujita scale, which is already uncommon for Maryland.

2002

On April 28, 2002, another F4 tornado cut a 24 mi swath through Charles County, with areas around La Plata damaged most severely. This tornado caused five deaths. Local officials credited federal- and state-assisted new construction efforts with helping them to remodel the downtown area following the tornado, as several new public buildings replaced some of those damaged there. A new La Plata Town Hall, for example, became Southern Maryland's first LEED-certified building, and an old building considered historic by local residents, which housed a CVS Pharmacy store at the time of the tornado, was rebuilt in a new location after the storm. In the days after the tornado, help was provided by twenty-seven different jurisdictions, as well as the nearby Amish community in St. Mary's County.

Geography
La Plata is located at 38.53417°N, -76.97333°W (38.534258, -76.973377). On February 24, 2020, The Mayor and Town's Council unanimously adopted the Purple Martin as the official Town bird.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.45 sqmi, of which 7.40 sqmi is land and 0.05 sqmi is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, La Plata has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Transportation
The primary method of travel to and from La Plata is by road, and four state highways serve the town. The most significant of these is U.S. Route 301, which follows Crain Highway through the town. From La Plata, US 301 heads south across the Potomac River into Virginia, eventually reaching Richmond. To the north, US 301 passes through Waldorf before intersecting Interstate 495 and U.S. Route 50 near Bowie. From there, US 301 joins I-495 and US 50 east past Annapolis and crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Maryland Route 6 is the main east-west highway serving La Plata, following Port Tobacco Road and Charles Street through town. From La Plata, MD 6 heads west to Port Tobacco and continues east to Charlotte Hall. Maryland Route 225 follows Hawthorne Road westward from US 301 in La Plata, eventually reaching Maryland Route 210 near Indian Head. Finally, Maryland Route 488 follows La Plata Road northeast from MD 6 to Maryland Route 5 near Bryantown.

Demographics
The median income for a household in the town was $56,490, and the median income for a family was $66,288. Males had a median income of $42,492 versus $32,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,669. About 8.3% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,753 people, 3,062 households, and 2,091 families residing in the town. The population density was 1182.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,234 housing units at an average density of 437.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 66.3% White, 26.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 3,062 households, of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the town was 38.4 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

Attractions
La Plata is largely a residential community. Some residents work for the Charles County government, while others commute to Waldorf or the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas for work, including to Andrews Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The town is experiencing a transformation into a thriving business and commercial center, thanks to the development of office buildings and the town's recent reconstruction.

Mount Carmel Monastery (1790), a Catholic convent, is just outside La Plata, near the main campus of the College of Southern Maryland.

La Plata has county offices, the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, the main campus of the College of Southern Maryland, a community theater (Port Tobacco Players), a large outdoor athletic complex, two nursing homes, and a host of stores, churches, and restaurants, in addition to a twice-weekly farmers' market. At the north edge of town are Walmart and Target department stores, three supermarkets, a Lowe's home-improvement store, and many other shops. Rosewick Road is connected with St. Charles Parkway to adjacent Waldorf, providing drivers an alternative to using U.S. Route 301.

Public schools in La Plata include La Plata High School, Milton Somers Middle School, Walter Mitchell Elementary, and Mary Matula Elementary. The portion of town west of Route 301 is zoned for James Craik Elementary and Maurice J. McDonough High School. La Plata is within the Charles County Public Schools school district.

There is also the La Plata Train Station Museum.

Mayors
1963–1967 Lowell E. Hawthorne

1967–1973 Raymond T. Tighlman

1973–1983 Victor B. Bowling, Jr.

1983–2005 William F. Eckman

2005–2008 Eugene Ambrogio

2008–2017 Roy G. Hale

2017–present Jeannine E. James

Notable people

 * Adrian Posey, La Plata benefactor
 * Tim Drummond, former Major League Baseball player
 * Steve Farr, former Major League Baseball player
 * Ryan Hackett, NASCAR driver
 * Shane Halter, former Major League Baseball player
 * Larry Johnson, NFL former football player
 * Joel and Benji Madden, founders of pop/punk band Good Charlotte
 * Don Money, former Major League Baseball player
 * Buzz Nutter, former NFL football player
 * Daryl Thompson, Major League Baseball player

title: La Plata, Maryland


text:
Port Tobacco Village, Maryland

Port Tobacco, officially Port Tobacco Village, is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 13 at the 2010 census, making Port Tobacco the smallest incorporated town in Maryland.

Overview
This was historically the territory of Algonquian-speaking peoples, especially the Potapoco and the more dominant Piscataway. Settled by the English in the 17th century and established in 1727, the town on the Port Tobacco River soon became the second largest in Maryland. The first county seat of Charles County, it was a seaport with access to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. It declined rapidly after river traffic was cut off by silting and the town was bypassed by the railroad. The town incorporated in 1888, but in 1895 the county seat moved to nearby La Plata, which drew population away but left the town with its historic significance intact.

Since the late 20th century, the former 1819 courthouse has been renovated for use as a historical museum. In 2007 a consortium started the Port Tobacco Archeology Project, devoted to revealing the history of Native Americans and colonial Europeans and Africans. Because of its unique history, the area is "one of the richest archeological sites in Southern Maryland."

A few miles south, the St. Ignatius Church, manor house, and cemetery at St. Thomas Manor comprise a complex designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is notable as a Jesuit mission center established in the 17th century and is likely the oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish founded in the Thirteen Colonies. The complex at Chapel Point has scenic views overlooking the Potomac River. John Hanson, President of the U.S. Continental Congress, was born nearby.

History

Areas along the waterways of present-day Maryland were inhabited for thousands of years by various cultures of distinct indigenous peoples. At the time of European exploration, this coastal area along the Port Tobacco River was the territory of the Potapoco, an Algonquian-speaking tribe. They called their settlement Potapoco. Overall, the dominant tribe on the north side of the Potomac River was the Algonquian Piscataway tribe, which later absorbed some of the smaller tribes' survivors.

Colonial era
Within a generation of the first Maryland settlers' landing at St. Clement's Island, they pushed the frontiers of the colony north and west toward the Potomac and Port Tobacco rivers. The English developed a small village about 1634 on the east side of the Port Tobacco tributary. It became the nucleus for trade and government. It was first called Chandlers Town. The town was one of the oldest English-speaking communities on the East Coast of the United States. In 1658, it was designated the first county seat of Charles County.

Later the English adapted the Potapoco name as Port Tobacco. Its name also referred to what became the colony's chief export commodity crop. The town grew as it became a major port for the tobacco trade, with exports transported by ocean-going sailing ships. During the late 17th century, Port Tobacco became the second-largest river port in Maryland.

The early immigrants to Port Tobacco were products of the religious turmoil in England. Their deeply felt convictions were powerful influences in Maryland's history. The area had both English Catholic and Church of England congregations. Father Andrew White of the Jesuits established a mission in 1641 and later a church at what became St. Thomas Manor at Chapel Point. The manor's chapel was expanded to what is called St. Ignatius Church, a center for local Native Americans converted to Christianity. The oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the United States, the complex has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and is part of the Religious Freedom Maryland Scenic Byways route. Catholic parish records identified Indian families through the decades, when civil records began to use only designations of free people of color, colored, or Negro for mixed-race persons, thus failing to record their cultural identification. The two state-recognized Piscataway-descendant tribes have used Catholic records in making their case for cultural continuity.

Freed from restraints by the Toleration Act of 1649 and feeling a need for spiritual guidance, some settlers gathered their first Anglican congregation in a log building at the head of the Port Tobacco Creek in 1683, nine years before the Establishment Act. Supported by the tobacco poll tax of 40 pounds per head from 1692 to 1776, Christ Church prospered. The community built a second structure in 1709. After the American Revolution, although the Anglican Church was disestablished in the US, parishioners rallied to contribute directly to Christ Church, and Lemuel Wilmer, of a distinguished family of Maryland Episcopalian clerics which included his brother William Holland Wilmer, uncle James Jones Wilmer, and father, grandfather and brother (all named Simon Wilmer) served as rector for 35 years. After a tornado destroyed the building in 1808, they held a lottery and ultimately financed a new brick structure, which was rededicated in 1827. Falling into disrepair after 60 years of use, it was demolished and replaced with a sandstone edifice in 1884. However, only the graveyard now remains of this church (and a relatively recently outline of the historic church's foundation), since it was disassembled in 1904 and reassembled in La Plata, which had become the county seat in 1895. For two centuries, Port Tobacco area residents assumed important roles in state and national history. John Hanson was elected first President by the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation before moving to Frederick. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a signer of the United States Constitution; and Thomas Stone was one of four of the Maryland delegation who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Civil War
During the Civil War, Port Tobacco became known as a stronghold of Confederate sympathizers, although Union troops occupied the town. Rose O'Neal Greenhow (1814-1864), born here, became renowned as a Confederate spy operating in Washington, DC. Recruited by former US Army captain Thomas Jordan, later promoted to Confederate general, she took over his network in early 1861. Due to military plans she passed to the Confederates that summer, she was credited with ensuring their victory at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861. Local slaves were freed following Maryland's adoption of a new Constitution on November 1, 1864 (the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 did not apply to states which remained in the Union). During the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, intelligence gathered in a Port Tobacco hotel (Brawner Hotel) (conspirator George Atzerodt lived in town) established the assassin had fled with his companion Herold into Virginia, where they were ultimately located and Herold surrendered, but Booth died during the attempted capture.

Decline
Port Tobacco started declining as erosion from excessive agricultural use and poor soil conservation caused significant siltation at the head of the Port Tobacco River, decreasing its navigability and ultimately cutting off the town from access to Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Larger merchant vessels were unable to use the former seaport; as a result, commercial activity at the port had dwindled by the time of the Civil War.

The decline was exacerbated by the completion in 1873 of a nearby Baltimore and Potomac Railroad line to Pope's Creek which bypassed Port Tobacco and ran further south to another port directly on the Potomac River. A small portion of the town's square incorporated in 1888 as Port Tobacco Village, a move that may have signaled an effort by the community to reverse its decline, but new communities eventually sprang up along the railway and prospered, including the town of La Plata which succeeded Port Tobacco as the county seat in 1895.

Reconstruction
The remains today are identified as Port Tobacco Village. Because of the town's abrupt decline and silting of the river, many archeological sites were preserved, making it one of the richest areas for studying the mixed history of Native and colonial cultures, including that of enslaved Africans. In 2007 the Port Tobacco Archeological Project began as a partnership among the Archaeological Society of Maryland, the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco, the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium, Preservation Maryland, and Preserve America. It has encouraged participation by the community, with an Internet blog and regular chances for volunteer participation at many levels.

Visitors may see the reconstructed Port Tobacco Courthouse, furnished as it may have appeared in the 19th century, even as of the day of Booth's escape. The North wing has exhibits on tobacco culture, as well as archaeological finds which reveal early colonial and Native American life.

Other notable nearby historic sites include:
 * Several 18th-century homes on the National Register of Historic Places, including Rose Hill, Ellerslie, Linden, Retreat, Stagg Hall, and Catslide House.
 * The restored one-room schoolhouse, used from 1876 to 1953
 * Thomas Stone National Historic Site, the plantation home of one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
 * St. Thomas Manor and Cemetery at Chapel Point is the oldest continuously operating Catholic parish among the Thirteen Colonies; exhibits provide insight into early Catholic history and Jesuit missionary activity in the colony, as well as Native American history.
 * Mulberry Grove, birthplace of John Hanson

Legend of the Blue Dog
Halloween reminds local residents of Charles County's "Blue Dog" legend, which is taught in local schools and has been told in the county for more than 100 years. By most accounts, the spirit of a large blue dog protects the treasure of his murdered master, which is supposed to be buried somewhere along Rose Hill Road outside Port Tobacco.

Charles Stuart was the owner of the Rose Hill property containing the fabled rock where Blue Dog and his master were killed. He has said that the first written account of the Blue Dog legend dates back to 1897, when Olivia Floyd, a noted Confederate spy and owner of Rose Hill, told the Port Tobacco Times that she had seen the ghost of the Blue Dog.

The legend says that Charles Thomas Sims, a soldier, and his dog were killed on February 8 in the 18th century on Rose Hill Road while returning from a Port Tobacco tavern. This was following the American Revolutionary War. Henry Hanos of Port Tobacco purportedly killed Sims and his dog for Sims' gold and a deed to an estate. Hanos buried the gold and deed under a holly tree along Rose Hill Road. When Hanos returned to recover the treasure, he was scared away by the ghost of Blue Dog. Hanos fell ill and died suddenly. To this day, Blue Dog reportedly continues to watch over his slain master's treasure.

Thuc Doan Nguyen is developing a film based on this tale.

Transportation
The only state highway serving Port Tobacco is Maryland Route 6. MD 6 connects westward to Nanjemoy, while to the east, it links with US 301 in La Plata.

Geography
Port Tobacco Village is located in central Charles County near the intersection of Maryland Route 6 and Chapel Point Road, just southwest of the neighboring town of La Plata. It sits near the Port Tobacco River, which joins the Potomac River a short distance south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.16 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 13 people, 7 households, and 5 families residing in the town. The population density was 81.3 PD/sqmi. There were 7 housing units at an average density of 43.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 84.6% White, 7.7% African American, and 7.7% from two or more races (each 7.7% of people included one person).

There were 7 households, of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, and 28.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.86 and the average family size was 2.20.

The median age in the town was 64.5 years. 7.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 15.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 0.0% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 46.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 15 people, 5 households, and 5 families residing in the town. The population density was 94.0 PD/sqmi. There were 6 housing units at an average density of 37.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 60.00% White, 26.67% Black or African American, 6.67% Asian, and 6.67% from two or more races.

There were 5 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 60.0% had a female householder with no husband present. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $100,992, and the median income for a family was $102,264. The per capita income for the town was $43,017. There were no families below the poverty line.

Notable people

 * George Atzerodt, co-conspirator with John Wilkes Booth
 * Gustavus Richard Brown (1747-1804), Edinburgh educated physician, attended George Washington at his death bed
 * Barnes Compton (1830–1889), planter, state legislator, State Treasurer, and US congressman
 * John Hanson (1721–1783) first President of the Continental Congress
 * Josiah Henson (1789–1883), author, abolitionist, minister, former slave, and an inspiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin
 * Timmy Hill (1993–), NASCAR driver
 * Tyler Hill (1994–), NASCAR driver
 * Ann Teresa Mathews (1732–1800), founder of the first Catholic convent in the United States
 * William Matthews (1770–1854), early American Roman Catholic priest
 * Thuc Doan Nguyen (1976-), writer
 * Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723–1790), a signer of the United States Constitution
 * Charles H. Stonestreet (1813–1885), Jesuit leader and president of Georgetown University

title: Port Tobacco Village, Maryland


text:
Potomac Heights, Maryland

Potomac Heights is a census-designated place (CDP) in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,117 at the 2010 census. It has a volunteer fire department and numerous older rambler homes built for workers at the nearby U.S. Navy munitions plant in Indian Head (now known as the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center).

Geography
Potomac Heights is located at 38.60139°N, -77.13222°W (38.601268, −77.132316).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, of which 1.1 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi, or 15.04%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,154 people, 543 households, and 312 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,016.8 PD/sqmi. There were 569 housing units at an average density of 501.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.07% White, 5.55% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.61% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 543 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,556, and the median income for a family was $45,833. Males had a median income of $34,837 versus $29,722 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,656. About 5.2% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

History
In 1947, the residents of Potomac Heights formed a co-operative and purchased the entire community from the previous owners (the US government). It was built in 1940–1943 to provide housing for defense workers. Today, to obtain the right to occupy one of the co-op residences, one must first apply for and be accepted for membership in the co-operative. To gain acceptance one must meet the criteria established by voting members of the co-op.

Potomac Heights is one of many housing co-operatives in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, three of which were converted from government sponsored housing. The largest co-operative, Greenbelt, located in adjoining Prince George's County, evolved from one of three planned communities (Greendale, Wisconsin, and Greenhills, Ohio) and developed as a federally supervised experiment in cooperative living under the New Deal during the Roosevelt administration. Hillwood Square Mutual in Falls Church, Virginia, was built to house workers at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria.

title: Potomac Heights, Maryland


text:
St. Charles, Maryland

St. Charles is a planned community in Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is 22 mi south-southeast of Washington, D.C., 24 mi from northern Virginia and immediately south of Waldorf, which is the mailing address. (St. Charles comprises nearly all the population of Waldorf's zip code 20602, and much of 20603). At the 2000 census, it was delineated as a census-designated place (CDP), with a population of 33,379. It was included in the Waldorf CDP for the 2010 census.

History
Planning for St. Charles was started in 1965 by St. Charles City, Inc. That developer sold the undeveloped land in 1968 to Interstate General Co. (now known as American Community Properties Trust). According to the developer, it is halfway through completion as outlined in its master plan.

When completed, St. Charles will comprise five villages — Smallwood and Westlake, which have been completed; Fairway, which is under development; and Piney Reach and Wooded Glen, which remain undeveloped. Each village has three to four neighborhoods. Residents in St. Charles have access to a variety of community amenities, including walking paths, swimming pools, scenic lakes, playgrounds and neighborhood centers. Many residents commute out of the county to work, including military residents who are stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Bolling AFB, Patuxent River NAS, or the Pentagon. Many civilian residents are federal employees. St. Charles Towne Center is a 1200000 sqft 2-level regional shopping mall serving residents of a large four-county area. It opened in 1988 and was remodeled in 2007.

Many sections of St. Charles are still in development, including a retirement community for persons 60 years and older, and several themed restaurants west of U.S. Route 301. Hampshire, Lancaster, Dorchester, Sheffield, Heritage, Bannister, Wakefield, Huntington and Carrington are the already existing neighborhoods of St. Charles. In 2008, St. Charles Parkway was connected with Rosewick Road, providing a new alternative route to the county seat La Plata.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 11.9 sqmi, of which 11.8 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (1.09%) is water.

Nearby communities
Waldorf (north), Bennsville (west), La Plata (south, but not adjacent)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,379 people, 11,567 households, and 8,628 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,829.3 PD/sqmi. There were 12,064 housing units at an average density of 1,022.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP is in flux. As of the 2000 census, the racial makeup was 64.27% White, 28.67% African American, 0.70% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.34% of the population.

There were 11,567 households, out of which 46.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $56,992, and the median income for a family was $60,434. Males had a median income of $41,210 versus $32,024 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,669. About 4.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Beddow School's Waldorf Montessori School is in the area that once made up St. Charles CDP.

St. Charles High School, known as the home of the Spartans, is located in St. Charles Maryland at 5305 Piney Church Road Waldorf, MD 20602. The school opened in August 2014 and features a 6 lane swimming pool, a 'Science Sphere' and digital classrooms.

title: St. Charles, Maryland


text:
Waldorf, Maryland

Waldorf is a census-designated place in Charles County, Maryland, United States. Located 23 mi south-southeast of Washington, D.C., Waldorf is part of Southern Maryland. Its population was 81,410 at the 2020 census. Waldorf has experienced dramatic growth, increasing its population 16-fold from fewer than 5,000 residents in 1980 to its current population. It is now the largest commercial and residential area in Southern Maryland as well as a major suburb in the Washington metropolitan area.

History

What is now the Waldorf area was originally part of the territory of the Piscataway Indian Nation, along with all of Southern Maryland, including Charles County. Close to the current western Waldorf area, the presence of villages, Indian grave sites (holding remains of over 1,000 people) and hunting encampments of Native American / Indian peoples have been confirmed, by archeological study of evidence dating from 1690 back to 6,000 years ago.

Europeans and African Americans first settled in the area in the 1600s. The town of Waldorf's original name was Beantown at least as far back as the American Civil War. During his flight after assassinating Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth told a road sentry he was headed to his home in Charles County near Beantown and was allowed to proceed. Booth later received medical attention for his broken leg from Dr. Samuel A. Mudd at his home in Waldorf, before continuing his flight. In 1880, the General Assembly of Maryland by an act changed the name to "Waldorf" in honor of William Waldorf Astor (1848–1919), the great-grandson of John Jacob Astor (1763–1848), who was born in Walldorf, Palatinate, Germany. On July 29, 1908, the city of Plumb Valley in Waseca County, Minnesota, changed its name to Waldorf after Waldorf, Maryland.

Once a tobacco market village, Waldorf came to prominence in the 1950s as a gambling destination after slot machines were legalized in Charles County in 1949. The boom lasted until 1968, when gambling was once again outlawed. Its subsequent substantial growth as a residential community began with a 1970 loan package from the Department of Housing and Urban Development which fueled the giant planned community of St. Charles, south of Waldorf.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 94.5 km2, of which 93.8 sqkm is land and 0.7 sqkm, or 0.7%, is water.

The soils of Waldorf are known to contain various amounts of Marlboro Clay, a type that is only found in Southern Maryland. It can be either red or grey in color.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cold winters. The area gets yearly snowfall, but only gets major blizzards every few years. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Waldorf has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The area has a tropical storm / hurricane season (late August through September). It gets frequent thunderstorms in the summer, some severe, and the area on rare occasion gets serious tornadoes.

2020 census
Data from the 2020 census:

 * Population was 81,410. Black or African American - 60.6%; White - 28.7%; White alone, not also reporting Hispanic or Latino - 24%; Hispanic or Latino - 7.5%; Two or more races - 5.8%; American Indian or Native Alaskan, alone - 0.7%; Asian - 0.7; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - 0%; foreign born residents - 8%.
 * Waldorf has the second largest African American community in Southern Maryland (49,334 people).
 * Language other than English spoken at home, 5 years old or older - 9.7%.
 * High school graduate or higher, 25 and older - 94.3%.
 * Bachelor's degree or higher, 25 and older - 29.5%.
 * Veteran population was 7,459 people (2015 - 2019).
 * Population was 569 primarily Native American people (0.7% of 81,410 people in Waldorf is 569).
 * Residents with a disability, under age 65 - 5.7%.
 * Residents without health insurance - 3.3%.
 * Median household income - $95,695; per capita income - $40,559; persons in poverty, 5.5% (5.5% of 81,410 people in Waldorf is 4,477).

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,312 people, 7,603 households, and 5,991 families residing in the CDP. In the CDP, the population density was 1,746.0 PD/sqmi. There were 7,827 housing units at an average density of 612.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 61.11% White, 31.98% African American, 0.54% Native American, 2.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 2.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.91% of the population.

There were 7,603 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,869, and the median income for a family was $71,439 (these figures had risen to $86,901 and $94,432 respectively as of a 2007 estimate ). Males had a median income of $45,293 versus $35,386 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,728. About 2.7% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Waldorf is predominantly a bedroom community for many residents who commute to work at other points in the Washington metropolitan area. Commuters work primarily in federal, professional services, and healthcare industries. Waldorf's local jobs are primarily in the service and sales industry, with healthcare and construction industries having a strong presence as well. St. Charles Towne Center, a two-story shopping mall, opened in 1990.

U.S. Route 301, the main highway through the city, boasts the "Waldorf Motor Mile," with car dealerships located primarily along the northbound side. In 2005, Waldorf opened its third public high school (North Point High School), which has advanced science/technology programs; the Capital Clubhouse 24-hour indoor sports complex and ice rink also opened that year.

Arts and culture

Two branches of the Charles County Public Library are located in Waldorf: the P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, and the Waldorf West Branch.

The Piscataway Indian Nation operates a museum, a community center, and the Maryland Indian Cultural Center in Waldorf.

Sports

Regency Furniture Stadium is a 4,200 seat baseball park, soccer park and music concert center in Waldorf.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, established in 2006, complete in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, playing at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Capital Clubhouse is a 90,000 square foot sports complex, including an ice skating rink and multi-sports center; a recreational ice rink, a hockey center and training facility, rock wall climbing gym, and numerous other sports and fitness gyms / fields in Waldorf.

Education
Charles County Public Schools is the area school district.

Westlake High School, St. Charles High School, North Point High School, and Thomas Stone High School are public high schools in Waldorf.

St. Peter's School is a Catholic kindergarten through 8th grade school in Waldorf. Children of all faiths may attend. Grace Christian Academy is also in Waldorf and extends through high school grades.

The Beddow School's Waldorf Montessori Campus is in Waldorf.

The largest one of the four campuses of College of Southern Maryland is located minutes away, between Waldorf and La Plata.

Major routes
Major routes in Waldorf include U.S. Route 301 which is the main commercial thoroughfare and bisects Waldorf running northeast–southwest, the southern leg of Maryland Route 5 (Leonardtown Road) which starts in Waldorf and runs south into St. Mary's County, to Leonardtown and then beyond to eventually reach Point Lookout State Park. Maryland Route 228 (Berry Road) which starts at 301 and cuts west-northwest across to Indian Head Highway, Maryland Route 925 (Old Washington Road) which starts on the southern branch of Route 5 and runs 3 miles southwest to White Plains, and the St. Charles Parkway which bypasses the congested commercial zone, acting as a primarily residential thoroughfare, going mostly parallel to Route 301 running southwest from Route 5, eventually turning north to t-bone into route 301.

Transit and proposed rail line
Public transportation is provided by Van-Go, a bus system administered by Charles County for most of the county, including Waldorf, and interconnecting to nearby St.Mary's County Transit System buses. MTA Maryland has four commuter routes (901, 903, 905, and 907, all operated by Dillons Transportation except the 903 which is serviced by Keller Transportation) that take commuters to and from downtown Washington, D.C., and ridership is rapidly growing. Waldorf has seven park & ride lots served by MTA Maryland routes: two at St. Charles Towne Center, one at St. Charles Towne Plaza, one at Smallwood Drive and US 301, a very large one on Mattawoman Beantown Road, one at Smallwood Village Center, and one at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Maryland Transit Administration is currently working with Prince George's County and Charles County in planning a transit line called Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, which would connect Waldorf to the Branch Avenue station of the Washington Metro.

Utilities
The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is the local electric company.

Waldorf is part of the water supply and sanitary service areas managed by Charles County's Department of Public Works, which operates more than 950 miles of water and sewer lines.

CPV St. Charles Energy Center operates a natural gas power plant in Waldorf, generating electricity for over 700,000 regional customers. The regional energy grid was previously served by the Morgantown Generating Station, a coal-fired plant that closed in 2022.

Notable people

 * William Waldorf Astor Politician, attorney, businessman and philanthropist, Waldorf (formerly "Beantown") was named after him
 * Thomas M. Middleton Politician, former Maryland state senator and employees rights advocate, lives on / operates a farm in the Waldorf area
 * Christina Milian - Movie and television actress and US top 40 singer (top 3 in the UK) and songwriter. Grew up in Waldorf until she was 13. Came back to Waldorf to attend West Lake High School.
 * Herbert 'Herb' Kalin Musician and singer of 1950s rock and pop. Lived in Waldorf, died there and is buried at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf.
 * Joel and Benji Madden - From the band Good Charlotte grew up in Waldorf.
 * Paul Thomas Musician, bassist for the band Good Charlotte went to High School with the Madden brothers, born in Waldorf
 * Robert Stethem - United States Navy Seabee diver. Was murdered by terrorists during the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985. Was from Pinefield, the northern section of Waldorf.
 * Jovan Adepo - British-American movie and television actor, raised in Waldorf
 * Asante Blackk (Asante Duah Ma'at) - Emmy Award-winning actor, born in Waldorf
 * John Flowers - Professional international basketball player, born in Waldorf
 * Marquis Wright - Professional international basketball player. Went to North Point High School in Waldorf
 * Adam Thorn - Singer and front man, lyricist for Indie-punk band Kudzu Wish. Born in Waldorf.
 * Ellie Stokes - Professional soccer player, attended North Point High School in Waldorf
 * Randy Starks - College and professional football player. Played for the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. Played College Football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, College Park. Grew up in Waldorf.
 * Marquel Lee - Professional and college football player - plays for the Las Vegas Raiders and previously the Oakland Raiders. Played college football for Wake Forest University. Attended Westlake High School in Waldorf.
 * Shawn Lemon - Professional football player for the Canadian Football League. Attended Westlake High school in Waldorf.
 * David Hayes - Professional and college soccer player, born in Waldorf
 * Dr. Samuel Mudd, in 1865 gave medical assistance to the man who killed President Abraham Lincoln (who was then briefly hiding in what is now the Waldorf area). Mudd was at his home in Waldorf (then called "Beantown") when he set the assassin's broken leg. Mudd was later convicted of aiding and failing to report the killer of the president and for being involved in the assassination plot and was sent to prison.
 * A.C. Crispin, science fiction writer.

title: Waldorf, Maryland


text:
Algonquin, Maryland

Algonquin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,241 at the 2010 census. The community was named for the Algonquin people, one of the Native American tribes in the East.

Geography
Algonquin is located in northern Dorchester County at 38.58444°N, -76.09667°W (38.584385, −76.096703). It is bordered to the south and east by the city of Cambridge, the county seat. The northern limit of the CDP is the center of the tidal Choptank River, an arm of Chesapeake Bay.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Algonquin CDP has a total area of 7.3 km2, of which 1.9 km2 is land and 5.4 km2, or 73.85%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,361 people, 582 households, and 426 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,275.4 PD/sqmi. There were 606 housing units at an average density of 567.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.77% White, 1.76% African American, 0.88% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 582 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $56,250, and the median income for a family was $61,750. Males had a median income of $31,625 versus $30,850 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,483. None of the families and 2.2% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.0% of those over 64.

title: Algonquin, Maryland


text:
Brookview, Maryland

Brookview is a town in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 48 at the 2020 census. Brookview was incorporated in 1953. Brookview is governed by a three-person town council. Each member of the town council is elected by voters to a three-year term in office. The now deceased Richard E. Sullivan had previously served as mayor of the town since 1996 and was recognized at the 2017 Annual Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference as a long-serving mayor of over 25 years. The 2018 council consisted of Mayor J.D. Hurley, Commissioner Clint Falduto, Commissioner Shelly Hurley. The present 2021 council consists of Mayor Clint Falduto, Commissioner Mary Falduto, Commissioner Shelly Hurley.

Geography
Brookview is located at 38.57528°N, -75.795°W (38.575406, -75.795132).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.04 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 60 people, 23 households, and 15 families residing in the town. The population density was 1500.0 PD/sqmi. There were 31 housing units at an average density of 775.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.3% White and 6.7% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.7% of the population.

There were 23 households, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 21.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the town was 42 years. 16.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 58.3% male and 41.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 65 people, 26 households, and 17 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,597.4 PD/sqmi. There were 27 housing units at an average density of 663.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White.

There were 26 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,719, and the median income for a family was $51,250. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $31,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,288. There were 8.3% of families and 14.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.1% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Brookview, Maryland


text:
Cambridge, Maryland

Cambridge is a city in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 13,096 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county's largest municipality. Cambridge is the fourth most populous city in Maryland's Eastern Shore region, after Salisbury, Elkton and Easton.

Colonial era
Settled by English colonists in 1684, Cambridge stands as one of the oldest colonial cities in Maryland. During the time of English colonization, the Algonquian-speaking Choptank Indians resided along the river bearing their name. Throughout the colonial years, English colonists developed farming on the Eastern Shore, with the largest plantations initially focusing on tobacco, before shifting to mixed farming. Enslaved people were purchased by the planters for labor in tobacco and mixed farming. Cambridge served as a regional trading center, with its town pier being a major hub for slave trading, a history extensively documented by historical markers scattered throughout the town center.

National era
Cambridge was officially incorporated in 1793, taking over part of the former Choptank Indian Reservation. The town received its name from a city and county in England. Cambridge also became a stop on the Underground Railroad, which provided a network of safe houses for enslaved people escaping to the north.

In the late 19th century, Cambridge developed food processing industries, specializing in the canning of oysters, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. The town's industrial growth was led by the Phillips Packing Company, which eventually became the region's largest employer. Winning contracts from the Department of Defense during the First and Second World Wars greatly aided the company's growth. At its height, the company employed as many as 10,000 workers. However, shifting tastes brought a decline in business, causing Phillips to reduce its operations. By the early 1960s, the company had ceased operations entirely, leading to widespread unemployment and exacerbating the city's growing social issues.

Cambridge movement
From 1962 to 1967, Cambridge was a center of protests during the Civil Rights Movement, with local Black residents advocating for equal employment and housing opportunities, as well as the eradication of racial segregation in schools and other public facilities. Riots broke out in Cambridge in 1963 and 1967, prompting the deployment of the Maryland National Guard to the city to help maintain peace. The movement's leader was Gloria Richardson, and with the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, public segregation in Cambridge officially ended.

Present
In 2002, the opening of the 400-room Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay resort provided a significant boost to the city's economy through job creation and tourism. The resort features a golf course, spa, and marina, and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2007 U.S. House Republican Conference, featuring an address by U.S. President George W. Bush, as well as subsequent visits by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Cambridge was designated a Maryland Main Street community on July 1, 2003. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development established Cambridge Main Street as a comprehensive downtown revitalization process with plans to enhance the economic potential of select cities across the state. This initiative has led to the improvement of heritage tourism attractions and, along with other cities on the Eastern Shore, has contributed to attracting more tourists to Cambridge. As a result, the downtown business district of Cambridge, part of which was declared a historic district in 1990, has undergone revitalization.

Four different teams in the old Eastern Shore Baseball Leaguethe Canners, Cardinals, Clippers, and Dodgerswere located in Cambridge.

The Brinsfield I Site, Cambridge Historic District, Wards I and III, Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery, Dale's Right, Dorchester County Courthouse and Jail, Glasgow, Goldsborough House, LaGrange, Annie Oakley House, Patricia (log canoe), Pine Street Neighborhood Historic District, Rock Methodist Episcopal Church, Stanley Institute, Sycamore Cottage, and Yarmouth are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Cambridge is located at 38.56639°N, -76.07694°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.64 sqmi, of which, 10.34 sqmi is land and 2.30 sqmi is water.

Cambridge is on the southern bank of the Choptank River.

Climate and climate mitigation
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Cambridge has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

A 4.3 MW solar farm in Cambridge supplies about 40% of the power for the National Aquarium, and saves about 1,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide during the summer.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

Per the 2020 Census, the population was 16,823.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,326 people, 5,144 households, and 3,040 families residing in the city. The population density was 1192.1 PD/sqmi. There were 6,228 housing units at an average density of 602.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 47.9% Black or African American, 45.9% White, 0.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 5,144 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.0% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,911 people, 4,629 households, and 2,697 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,622.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,629 housing units at an average density of 777.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 47.75% White, 49.9% Black, 0.16% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 4,629 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.7% were married couples living together, 23.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,967, and the median income for a family was $32,118. Males had a median income of $25,705 versus $21,221 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,647. About 17.2% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

Popular culture
Cambridge was the inspiration of the fictional town Patamoke in James Michener's novel, Chesapeake. In the book, Patamoke is located on a fictitious promontory on the Choptank River, opposite of Cambridge's actual location.

Media
Draper Media broadcasts WCEM (AM), WCEM-FM, WTDK-FM and WAAI-FM radio stations from studios at Cambridge Marketplace. This facility also serves as the home to the Mid-Shore Bureau for WBOC-TV. Weeknights, they cover news affecting Cambridge and surrounding communities.

WHCP-LP 101.5 FM is a community sponsored low powered station broadcasting from studios in downtown Cambridge.

Cambridge is home to two weekly newspapers: the Dorchester Star, which is affiliated with the Star-Democrat, and the Dorchester Banner. The Dorchester Banner was founded by Lindsay C. Marshall and Armistead R. Michie as The Daily Banner, notable for being the Eastern Shore's first daily newspaper. The first issue was published on September 22, 1897.

Transportation
U.S. Route 50, a major east-west route of the U.S. Highway System, bisects Cambridge on its 3011 mi journey from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California. U.S. 50 is locally known as "Ocean Gateway", with the segment running from the Choptank River to Cambridge's eastern city limit designated "Sunburst Highway".

The Cambridge-Dorchester Airport (FAA Identifier: CGE) is a county-owned, public-use airport located just southeast of the city of Cambridge. The airport is a general aviation facility with a lighted 4,477-foot asphalt runway.

The Maryland & Delaware Railroad (MDDE), a shortline railroad, provided freight rail service to Cambridge until recently. The city had served as the western terminus of the railroad's Seaford Line. The Maryland & Delaware interchanges with the Delmarva Central Railroad at Seaford, Delaware, which interchanges with the Norfolk Southern Railway at Clayton, Delaware. The line remains in place, though rail service was suspended in May 2016 due to derailment issues along the line south of Hurlock, Maryland.

City Commission
Cambridge is governed by a mayor and a five-member city commission, who all serve four year terms.

In 2008, Victoria Jackson-Stanley was elected mayor, the first woman and the first African-American to hold the position. She would serve three terms before losing to Andrew Bradshaw in a runoff election in 2020.

Andrew Bradshaw was sworn in as the city's youngest mayor on January 4, 2021, but was arrested on November 15 and charged with fifty counts of distributing revenge porn, allegedly posting explicit photos and captions to Reddit in April and May 2021, some which also included racial slurs. City Council President Lajan Cephas assumed the responsibilities of mayor following his arrest. On December 13, city commissioners unanimously voted to recommend that the city attorney remove Bradshaw from office. A special election to elect a new mayor was held on August 23, 2022. No candidate received the majority of the vote, forcing a runoff between the top two candidates on September 20, 2022. Former Cambridge commissioner Stephen Rideout won the runoff election with 55 percent of the vote and now is mayor.

List of mayors (1896-present)

 * 1896-1900 James G. James
 * 1900-1904 Robert G. Henry
 * 1904-1908 Clement G. Rogers
 * 1908-1910 Zebedee Andrews
 * 1910-1912 George M. Phillips
 * 1912-1916 Clement G. Rogers
 * 1916-1932 Earl W. Orem
 * 1932-1940 Charles E. Brohawn
 * 1940-1944 Irving B. Jackson
 * 1944-1948 Dorsey E. Davis
 * 1948-1952 Julian L. Tubman
 * 1952-1960 Russell P. Smith, Jr.
 * 1960-1964 Calvin W. Mowbray
 * 1964-1976 Osvrey C. Pritchett
 * 1976-1980 Albert B. Atkinson
 * 1980-1992 C. Lloyd Robbins
 * 1992-2000 David J. Wooten, Jr.
 * 2000-2008 Cleveland L. Rippons
 * 2008-2020 Victoria Jackson-Stanley
 * 2020-2022 Andrew T. Bradshaw
 * 2022-Present Stephen Rideout

Horn Point Laboratory
Horn Point Laboratory is home to the largest oyster hatchery on the East Coast.

A myth states that in 1699 William Kidd hid treasure, stolen from sugar traders, on land which today is Horn Point Lab. Students and researchers enjoy speculating where the treasure may be.

Notable people

 * James A. Adkins, 28th Adjutant General of Maryland and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs of Maryland
 * Beatrice Arthur, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress; star of the television sitcoms Maude and The Golden Girls; grew up in Cambridge, where her parents owned and operated a clothing store; voted "wittiest girl" by classmates at Cambridge High School
 * John Barth, writer, born in Cambridge in 1930
 * Stephen Allen Benson, second President of Liberia
 * Troy Brohawn, retired Major League Baseball player with the Arizona Diamondbacks
 * Darnell Clash, football player
 * Willis Conover, "Voice of America" DJ, lived in Cambridge during the late 1930s
 * Richard Ben Cramer, journalist and author.
 * Charles Goldsborough (July 15, 1765 – December 13, 1834), State Senator 1791–1795 and 1799–1801, U.S. Congressman 1789–1791, Governor of Maryland 1818–1819
 * Phillips Lee Goldsborough (August 6, 1865 – October 22, 1946), a member of the Republican Party (United States), was a United States Senator representing State of Maryland from 1929 to 1935, 47th Governor of Maryland from 1912 to 1916 and Comptroller of the Maryland Treasury from 1898 to 1900
 * Emerson Columbus Harrington (March 26, 1864 – December 15, 1945), 48th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1916 to 1920, Comptroller of the Maryland Treasury from 1912 to 1916
 * Christopher Harrison, (1780 – 1868), 1st Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
 * Thomas Holliday Hicks (September 2, 1798 – February 14, 1865), 31st Governor of Maryland (January 13, 1858 – January 8, 1862), buried in Cambridge Cemetery
 * Arty Hill, country singer, was raised here
 * Kripp Johnson, singer of The Del-Vikings
 * Antwan Lake, NFL defensive end who has played with the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints
 * Henry Lloyd (February 21, 1852 – December 30, 1920), 40th Governor of Maryland (1885 to 1888); lived in Dorchester County and Cambridge
 * Carolyn Long, opera singer
 * William Vans Murray, U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 5th District, 1789–1791
 * Annie Oakley, sharpshooter, lived in Cambridge from 1913 to 1915
 * Charles Quinn, reporter for NBC News from 1962 to 1980
 * Gloria Richardson Dandridge, leader of the Cambridge movement during the Civil Rights Movement, 1962–1964
 * Sheriff Robinson, baseball player and coach
 * Harriet Tubman, escaped slave and activist on the Underground Railroad
 * Jay-Z, lived in Cambridge for a short period, before pursuing a music career
 * Norman Chaney, played Chubby on Our Comedy, also known as The Little Rascals, 1928-30. Born October 18 1911.

title: Cambridge, Maryland


text:
Church Creek, Maryland

Church Creek is a town in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States, part of the state's Eastern Shore. The population was 125 at the 2010 census. Church Creek is located approximately six miles south of Cambridge.

Old Trinity Church is located here. An Anglican (now Episcopal) brick church built in 1675, it is the oldest church building in the US in continuous ecclesiastical use.

Geography
Church Creek is located at 38.50528°N, -76.15444°W (38.505300, −76.154367). The town is located at the head of the Church Creek river, a tributary of the Little Choptank River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.34 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Church Creek has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 125 people, 59 households, and 37 families residing in the town. The population density was 367.6 PD/sqmi. There were 67 housing units at an average density of 197.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 89.6% White, 6.4% African American, 0.8% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

There were 59 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.65.

The median age in the town was 47.8 years. 16% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 85 people, 41 households, and 25 families residing in the town. The population density was 271.4 PD/sqmi. There were 45 housing units at an average density of 143.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White.

There were 41 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 1.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,750, and the median income for a family was $26,875. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,700. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

History
The exact origins of Church Creek remain unclear. Popular tradition maintains that Church Creek predates Cambridge, Maryland as the earliest settlement in Dorchester County, and was first established at some point before 1684 under the name Dorchester Town and then White Haven. This has been disputed by historian Elias Jones, who found no indication of land sales in the area before 1700 in County Land Records.

Both the town and river of Church Creek derive their name from the nearby Episcopal church, now known as Old Trinity Church, built c. 1675. In 1867, Church Creek officially became the forty-second Incorporated town in Maryland, and remains one of the 123 such towns today. In 1975, the town adopted its first municipal tax in order to qualify for state tax grants and federal revenue-sharing.

Economy
The first major industry in Church Creek was shipbuilding, established at some point before 1767, which took advantage of surrounding forests plentiful with white oak and pine. As a result, the population of the town grew during the 18th and 19th centuries. The 1860 census recorded 218 families and 1,103, of which 51 percent were occupied as "laborers" and 26 percent occupied as "farmers".

Toward the end of the 19th century, regional deforestation resulted in a downturn in the wooden shipbuilding industry. This adversely affected the industrial prosperity of Church Creek, and the population subsequently declined. The economy of Church Creek has historically benefited from human traffic due to the town's location at the crossroads of Taylor's Island Road (Route 16) and Church Creek-Golden Hill Road (Route 335). During the first half of the twentieth century, the residents of Church Creek maintained eight or nine general stores. But during the second half of the 20th century, the town's economy and population continued to decline. According to the United States Census Records, the town contained 187 people in 1950, down to 115 in 1990.

African-American education during Reconstruction
Following the American Civil War, Church Creek was an early site for education of African Americans. The state passed the Public Instruction Act of 1865 to earmark public funds for the education of African-American students. But white-dominated Maryland county and city school boards refused to distribute the allocated money for the building and maintenance of African-American schools in the segregated system.

Instead, private organizations, such as the northern American Missionary Association, spearheaded the raising and allocation of money throughout Maryland. The fifth African-American county school was established in Church Creek on September 27, 1865 under the care of Mary S. Osbourne, with a total enrollment of thirty-two students. The County schools were quickly opposed by local residents, sometimes violently. In October and November 1865, arsonists destroyed African-American schools in Millington, Edesville, and Kent County.

Though the school at Church Creek was not attacked, it did encounter local antagonism. In December 1865, a group of Church Creek residents held an "indignation meeting" to organize and communicate their opposition to the African-American school and its teacher, Mary S. Osbourne. The Church Creek school for African-American students operated successfully throughout the 1865–66 school year. As teacher Mary S. Osbourne reported: "One class of six knew the alphabet but could not read at all; now they read well, as far as First Step No. 12 on the Chart. … A class of seven read well in the First Reader, and are to commence Arithmetic at once. Another … [is] using the Third Reader and studying Geography." From 1861 to 1876 more than one-third of teachers in southern colored schools were African Americans, so it is likely that Osbourne was replaced by a southern African American teacher even during Reconstruction. In addition, one of every six teachers from the North were African American.

title: Church Creek, Maryland