Berwyn Heights in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Charlton Avenue

Photographed By Kerstin Harper, October 10, 2011

1. Charlton Avenue Marker

Inscription. Benjamin Charlton (c. 1820-1894) was a prominent member of the Washington, D.C. business and social community. He was director at the Central National Bank and served on the Committee for the Inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. Charlton married Sarah, the daughter of Thomas Havenner, owner of the once famous Havenner’s Bakery in Washington, D.C., which Charlton inherited after his father-in-law’s death.

In 1888, Charlton joined five other businessmen to develop land along the B & O Railroad consisting of approximately 400 acres; 50 by 100 foot lots adjoining 50 foot streets laid out in an irregular pattern. They named this development Charlton Heights, after Benjamin Charlton. In the same year, the Charlton Heights Improvement Company (CHIC) was established. CHIC was created to attract white-collar workers from the city to this area. About two dozen, large Queen Anne and other Victorian-era style homes were built here.

After the demise of CHIC, Charlton Heights was renamed Berwyn Heights on April, 1896. The name Charlton Heights lives on in current land records.

Erected 2009 by Berwyn Heights Historical Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the Former U.S. Presidents: #22 and #24 Grover Cleveland series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1896.

Location. 38° 59.227′ N, 76° 54.661′ W. Marker is in Berwyn Heights, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is at the intersection of Charlton Avenue and Goucher Drive, on the right when traveling south on Charlton Avenue. This is one in a series of markers erected by the Berwyn Heights Historical Committee. The markers commemorate the historic street names of the Town of Berwyn Heights, which were frequently named after notable people. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7617 Charlton Avenue, College Park MD 20740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carrington Avenue (approx. ¼ mile away); The Berwyn Heights Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); La Belle Avenue (approx. 0.3 miles away); Schools of Berwyn Heights (approx. 0.3 miles away); Town of Berwyn Heights (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington Spa Spring & Gretta Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Berwyn Heights Association

Photographed By Kerstin Harper, October 10, 2011

2. Charlton Avenue Marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Edmonston Road (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berwyn Heights.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2012, by Kerstin Harper of Berwyn Heights, Maryland. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2012, by Kerstin Harper of Berwyn Heights, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.