Bowie in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Belair
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
1. Belair Marker
Governor Samuel Ogle (1692-1752) owned Belair, built circa 1745. The Georgian Palladian style house stands on a tobacco plantation that included gardens, a vineyard, deer park, horse stables and numerous dependencies. Ogle's son, Benjamin (1748-1809), also served as Maryland's governor from 1798 to 1801. Belair house five generations of Ogles before passing out of family ownership in 1871.
James T. Woodward (1837-1910) purchased the estate in 1898, and began to revive Belair. His nephew William Woodward (1876-1953) inherited Belair in 1910, improving the estate and adding wings designed by New York architects William Delano and Chester Aldrich. Woodward continued the history of Belair's role as the "cradle of thoroughbred racing". From Woodward's first track win in 1909, the Belair stud would acquire fame for the next half century.
Purchased by the William Levitt and Sons developers in 1957, Belair served as the Bowie City Hall from 1864 to 1978. Belair was restored in 1995 and opened in conjunction with the Friends of Belair Estate along with the stable as a part of the City of Bowie Museums System.
Erected by City of Bowie, Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Buildings • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Belair on the Home Front (within shouting distance of this marker); Developing a Garden Plan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Archaeological Research of the Belair Garden (about 400 feet away); Belair Stable (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Belair Stable (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Belair Stud Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Stable Courtyard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Jackson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
2. Belair Marker
Photographed By F. Robby, November 26, 2004
3. Belair
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
4. Belair Mansion
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
5. Belair Mansion
On the men's room wall at the Belair Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
6. Samuel Ogle
From a display in the Belair Stable Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
7. Benjamin Ogle I
From a display in the Belair Stable Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
8. James T. Woodward
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013
9. William Woodward Sr.
by Fred Stone
From a poster in the Belair Stable Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013
10. Developer William Levitt
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013
11. Bicentennial Time Capsule
presented to
City of Bowie
by
Belair Bowie Lions
1976 - 2026
(in 1976, Belair was Bowie's Town Hall)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,166 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 16, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on April 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
