Riverdale Park in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows
Town of Riverdale Park
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
1. From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows Marker
Click on image to zoom in to inspect the marker's photographs.
Inscription.
From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows. Town of Riverdale Park. A key factor in the initial development of Riverdale Park in 1887 was its proximity to Washington, D.C. By the end of the 19th century, transportation between Riverdale Park and Washington was extremely convenient by either the Baltimore Turnpike, the B and O Railroad, or the trolley line. The town was one of Maryland’s first manifestations of that social phenomenon that in the 20th century spawned the “suburb.” , It was that same appealing location that provided the impetus for the building of Riversdale mansion there in 1801, one year after the federal city of Washington was established. Riversdale was the home of George Calvert, a descendant of the fifth Lord Baltimore and father of Charles Benedict, the founder of Maryland Agricultural College which later became the University of Maryland in nearby College Park. Today the mansion is a source of pride for residents of the town that now bears its name (albeit slightly modified). An annual celebration of the town’s heritage is held on the grounds of the mansion, now registered as a National Historic Landmark. , The town’s architecture is a mix of styles ranging from Victorian bungalows to cape cods to mid 20th-century ramblers. Its still convenient location and small-town culture explain Riverdale Park’s enduring popularity with old and new residents alike. , (captions) The Riversdale mansion, built between 1801 and 1807, underwent major renovation in the 1990s. . The french scenic wallpaper (1812–1814) in the dining room of Riversdale was preserved during the restoration efforts of the 1990s. . Today a reconstruction of the train station in the Town Center serves the MARC commuter train, which provides a 10-minute ride to Washington’s Union Station. . At the turn of the 20th century, a B&O train and a trolley line linked Riverdale Park to Washington, D.C. . This photograph of the Warren House was taken shortly after construction was completed in 1914. It was designated a Prince George’s County Historic Site in 1985. This is one of several historic homes that remain in Riverdale Park today.
A key factor in the initial development
of Riverdale Park in 1887 was its proximity
to Washington, D.C. By the end of the
19th century, transportation between
Riverdale Park and Washington was
extremely convenient by either the
Baltimore Turnpike, the B & O Railroad,
or the trolley line. The town was one of
Maryland’s first manifestations of that
social phenomenon that in the 20th century
spawned the “suburb.”
It was that same appealing location that provided the impetus for the building of
Riversdale mansion there in 1801, one year
after the federal city of Washington was
established. Riversdale was the home of
George Calvert, a descendant of the fifth
Lord Baltimore and father of Charles
Benedict, the founder of Maryland
Agricultural College which later became the
University of Maryland in nearby College
Park. Today the mansion is a source of pride
for residents of the town that now bears its
name (albeit slightly modified). An annual
celebration of the town’s heritage is held on
the grounds
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of the mansion, now registered
as a National Historic Landmark.
The town’s architecture is a mix of styles
ranging from Victorian bungalows to cape
cods to mid 20th-century ramblers. Its still
convenient location and small-town culture
explain Riverdale Park’s enduring popularity with old and new residents alike.
(captions) The Riversdale mansion, built between 1801 and 1807, underwent major renovation in the 1990s. • The french scenic wallpaper (1812–1814) in the dining room of Riversdale was preserved during the restoration efforts of the 1990s. • Today a reconstruction of the train station in the Town Center serves
the MARC commuter train, which provides a
10-minute ride to
Washington’s Union Station. • At the turn of the 20th century, a B&O train and a trolley line linked Riverdale Park to Washington, D.C. • This photograph of the Warren House was taken shortly after construction was completed in 1914. It was designated a Prince George’s County Historic Site in 1985. This is one of several historic homes that remain in Riverdale Park today.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
2. Corner of Queensbury Road and Rhode Island Avenue
The marker is across the intersection at the end of the crosswalk on the right. This view is northwest. The former WRECO station is behind the protographer and the MARC train station is out of frame to the right.
Location. 38° 57.762′ N, 76° 56.128′ W. Marker is in Riverdale Park, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is at the intersection of Queensbury Road and Rhode Island Avenue on Queensbury Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4650 Queensbury Rd, Riverdale MD 20737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Washington's Union Station is 10 minutes away via MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) trains. Riverdale is on MARC's Camden Line. This line is also known as the CSX Capitol Subdivision. The tracks from Baltimore run left to right between the two structures. Washington is to the right. This was originally the 1835 Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The marker is at the edge of the parking lot out of frame on the right.
Regarding From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows. The trolley line mentioned was originally the City and Suburban Railway that reached Riverdale from Washington in 1899. The Berwyn and Laurel Electric Railroad Company built from Riverdale to Laurel, then merged with the City and Suburban. The line was absorbed by the Washington Railway & Electric Company (WRECO) and the former Riverdale trolley station, still standing at 4701 Queensbury Road, (see photo No. 4) is still known as the WRECO Station
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
4. The Former WRECO Trolley Station
It was most recently the Riverdale Bookstore. The CSX railroad tracks pass on the left. The streetcar tracks ran on the right, on or next to Rhode Island Avenue. Queensbury Road is in the foreground. This view is from the marker.
building. The last streetcars through Riverdale were operated by DC Transit.
The former WRECO interurban trolley right-of-way is marked by the utility poles that cross the parking lot. The freshly painted storefronts of the Riverdale Park Town Center are all empty, except for the S&J Bar Restaurant on the far left.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
6. Crabs are Back!! at the S&J Bar Restaurant
So says the sign. It also says that the fish sandwich is $3.95, free Wi-Fi is available, and help is wanted. Karaoke with DJ Cowboy is every Tuesday and Saturday. This view is from the marker. The train station is behind the photographer and the former WRECO Station is just out-of-frame on the left.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
7. Northbound Tracks
This view from the station shows the East-West Highway (Md Route 410) overpass. Rhode Island Avenue continues under the overpass on the left. Lafayette Avenue does the same thing out of frame on the right.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 28, 2007
8. CSX Freight Train Crossing Queensbury Road
Northbound freight is heading for Baltimore and perhaps other points north.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, September 15, 2007
9. The two markers side by side
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
10. From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
11. Riversdale Mansion
The Riversdale mansion, built between 1801 and 1807, underwent major renovation in the 1990s.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
12. From Plantation to Suburb; a Community Grows Marker
The French scenic wallpaper (1812-1814) in the dining room of Riversdale was preserved during the restoration efforts in the 1990s.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
13. B & O RR and Trolley
At the turn of the 20th century, a B & O train and trolley linked Riverdale Park to Washington, D.C.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
14. Riverdale MARC Station
Today a reconstruction of the train station serves the MARC commuter train, which provides a 10-minute ride to Washington's Union Station.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
15. Warren House
This photograph of the Warren House was taken shortly after construction was completed in 1914. It was designated a Prince Georges County Historic Site in 1985. This is one of several historic homes that remain in Riverdale today.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
16. Warren House
The Warren House was built in 1913 for the family of Claude Warren former Mayor of Riverdale (1953-1964). It is currently occupied by Michael David Herman former Mayor of Riverdale Park (2001-2003).
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
17. You Are Here
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,459 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 2, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 9. submitted on September 17, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. submitted on August 26, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.