Waldorf in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Blue Jay Motel

Photographed by Dennis Joyner

1. The Blue Jay Motel Marker

Inscription. Arthur "Big Boy" Farrar, a local African American self-made businessman, founded The Blue Bird Inn on Rt 925 in the Late 1930s, which served local working class African American citizens. His son, Roy served as President and Manager and his daughter-in-law, Marian was the Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Farrar later opened the Blue Jay Motel on this site in 1953. The Blue Jay was listed in The Green Book from 1956-1964, A guide for African Americans traveling through the segregated South. Many entertainers and athletes stayed at The Blue Jay such as James Brown and his band, Patty Labelle, Sam Cooke, Althea Gibson and former offensive lineman Jim Parker of the Baltimore Colts.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 38° 38.649′ N, 76° 53.669′ W. Marker is in Waldorf, Maryland, in Charles County. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 301 and Holly Tree Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12105 Farrar Pl, Waldorf MD 20601,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and in the Tidewater.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Wilkes Booth and his companion David Herold (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dr. Mudd's House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named T. B. (approx. 4.1 miles away); Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House (approx. 4.4 miles away); John Wilkes Booth (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Dr. Samuel A. Mudd (approx. 4½ miles away); Home of Dr. Samuel Mudd (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waldorf.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mattawoman Run

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(was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); T. B. (was approx. 4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dr. Samuel A. Mudd (was approx. 4½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2026, by Dennis Joyner of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Last updated on May 5, 2026, by Dennis Joyner of Richmond, Virginia. Photo 1. submitted on May 4, 2026, by Dennis Joyner of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?