Cottage City in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Georgetown Road
Battle of Bladensburg
| | Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail | |
Bunker Hill Road, or Georgetown Road, was once the route between Georgetown and Bladensburg. It had existed prior to the War of 1812 and was the route by which many of the American troops retreated as the first line fell during the battle. The road met the recently constructed Bladensburg Turnpike at a 45° angle near the bridge. During the Battle of Bladensburg, Col. Jacint Laval's U.S. Dragoons were placed in a small ravine to the left of the road but saw little action.
A small toll gate was located at the intersection of Georgetown Road and the turnpike. Further north, up the river, was the Carleton Mill, roughly located in the area where the ballfields for Cottage City Neighborhood Park are now located. Owned by William Dudley Digges in 1814, the mill was long known by its later owner Henry L. Carleton who purchased it in 1857. The building was demolished in the 1950's during the Anacostia River control projects that managed the many floods in Bladensburg, Cottage City, and Colmar Manor.
"In front of the [mill], looking toward the river, the ground has a gentle descent, and upon the brow had been hastily constructed a barbette battery of earthwork, intended for heavy ordance...."
John S. Williams, "History of the Invasion and Capture of Washington," 1857
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Erected 2014 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; Scenic Byways Program of the Maryland State Highways Administration for the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration in the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 38° 56.319′ N, 76° 57.11′ W. Marker is in Cottage City, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It is at the intersection of 40th Avenue and Cottage Terrace, on the right when traveling south on 40th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3817 40th Ave, Brentwood MD 20722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Road to the Capital (here, next to this marker); President's Surprise (here, next to this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town of Brentwood (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Road to the Capital (approx. Ό mile away); Famous Footsteps
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 25, 2023
2. The cluster of markers near the Cottage City Town Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
