Galesville in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

West Benning Road Historic District

The Heart and Soul of Galesville's African American Community

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 29, 2026

1. West Benning Road Historic District Marker

Inscription.

West Benning Road Historic District. The Heart and Soul of Galesville's African American Community. West Benning Road has been the center of an active African American community since its post-Emancipation founding. A dozen African American families bought lots and built homes, establishing an active and supportive community that continues today.

Galesville's waterfront supported robust maritime industries and businesses like Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company, F. and H. Benning Company, Smith Brothers, Zang's Pier, and Hartge's boat builders. These thriving businesses offered employment and contributed to Galesville's economy.

Community institutions like the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church (1880), Hot Sox Ballfield (1926), Galesville Rosenwald School (1929) and Mrs. Crowner's Cook Shop (1941) provided places to worship, play, learn, eat and socialize. The community thrived and was peaceful, somewhat insulated from the Jim Crow laws and segregation.

[Captions]:
This mid-20th century aerial photo shows key landmarks of the historic West Benning community. Though some of the homes and businesses are no longer standing, the community thrives today, and often gathers to celebrate and remember its history.

Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, cemetery, and original parsonage (now gone) located on the south side of Main Street, was the earliest center for the African American community of Galesville. As families built their homes and businesses along West Benning Road, the center of the community shifted northward to that area.
Photo courtesy of Galesville Heritage Society.

Albert Woodfield built rental and company housing on West Benning Road to house workers employed at his Fish and Oyster Company. These houses were restored and are occupied by descendants of the early twentieth century community.
Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County OPZ/CR.

One of two remaining houses known to be constructed by Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company as worker housing.
951 West Benning Road, Weston Crowner House, c. 1928. Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County.

The homes of Robert Crowner (left) and Alexander Hicks (right) are typical of the simple vernacular residences that once lined West Benning Road in the early to mid-20th century.
Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County OPZ/CR.

West Benning Road has been the center of an active African American community since its post-Emancipation founding. A dozen African American families bought lots and built homes, establishing an active and supportive community that continues today.

Galesville's waterfront supported robust maritime industries and businesses like Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company, F. & H. Benning Company, Smith Brothers, Zang's Pier, and Hartge's boat builders. These thriving businesses offered employment and contributed to Galesville's economy.

Community institutions like the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church (1880), Hot Sox Ballfield (1926), Galesville Rosenwald School (1929) and Mrs. Crowner's Cook Shop (1941) provided places to worship, play, learn, eat and socialize. The community thrived and was peaceful, somewhat insulated from the Jim Crow laws and segregation.

[Captions]:
This mid-20th century aerial photo shows key landmarks of the historic West Benning community. Though some of the homes and businesses are no longer standing, the community thrives today, and often gathers to celebrate and remember its history.

Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, cemetery, and original parsonage (now gone) located on the south side of Main Street, was the earliest center for the African American community of

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Galesville. As families built their homes and businesses along West Benning Road, the center of the community shifted northward to that area.
Photo courtesy of Galesville Heritage Society.

Albert Woodfield built rental and company housing on West Benning Road to house workers employed at his Fish and Oyster Company. These houses were restored and are occupied by descendants of the early twentieth century community.
Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County OPZ/CR.

One of two remaining houses known to be constructed by Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company as worker housing.
951 West Benning Road, Weston Crowner House, c. 1928. Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County.

The homes of Robert Crowner (left) and Alexander Hicks (right) are typical of the simple vernacular residences that once lined West Benning Road in the early to mid-20th century.
Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County OPZ/CR.

Erected by Anne Arundel County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 50.867′ N, 76° 33′ W. Marker

West Benning Road Historic District Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 29, 2026

2. West Benning Road Historic District Marker - wide view

is in Galesville, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on Benning Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 916 Benning Rd, Galesville MD 20765, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 Heart of Galesville's Black Community (here, next to this marker); Farming in Galesville: Montell Farm (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Property-Owning Pioneers (about 700 feet away); Let's Play Ball! (about 800 feet away); Maritime Industry on Tenthouse Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of First Quaker Regional Gathering (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Quaker Burying Ground (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galesville.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.