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

From Huntington to Bowie - The History

Photographed By Geoff Marsh, February 21, 2014

1. From Huntington to Bowie - The History Marker

Inscription.

From Huntington to Bowie - The History. . , Originally called Huntington, Bowie developed as a result of the railroad junction at this location and is now a thriving city. , In 1853, Col. Wm. D. Bowie convinced the Maryland legislature to charter the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company. Oden Bowie served as President. Plans for the rail line, which was to serve Southern Maryland, were delayed until after the Civil War. After the war, the Baltimore and Potomac, in an alliance with the Pennsylvania RR, built a long-sought line to Southern Maryland, and a 20-mile spur into Washington, DC., The junction of the two lines formed a core around which the early town of Bowie grew. Ben Plumb, a developer, purchased 300 acres at the junction and had it surveyed for town lots. Lots sold for $25 each, with plans for houses ranging from four to eight rooms. Shops, a hotel, churches, and homes sprang up. The small village was incorporated in 1874 and was known as Huntington City. The rail depot itself was always knows as the Bowie station., The importance of the railroad station was clear. However, in 1880, the Legislature passed an act to change the name of the town to Bowie, a tribute to Governor Oden Bowie, whose influence assisted the formation of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad. In 1916, the town of Bowie was formally incorporated. In 1908, the Md. General Assembly established Maryland Normal and Industrial School. In 1910, the school moved to a farm called "Jericho" outside the Town of Bowie, opening in 1911. In 1938 the Normal School became the State Teacher's College of Bowie, later re-named Bowie State College. It is now, Bowie State University., The Bowie Race Track, founded in 1914 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Association, saw continuous racing until it closed in 1985. The facility remains in use as a training center. In 1959, the Town of Bowie annexed the new William Levitt-developed community, "Belair at Bowie" and subsequently re-incorporated in 1963 as the present city of Bowie.

Originally called Huntington, Bowie developed as a result of the railroad junction at this location and is now a thriving city.

In 1853, Col. Wm. D. Bowie convinced the Maryland legislature to charter the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Company. Oden Bowie served as President. Plans for the rail line, which was to serve Southern Maryland, were delayed until after the Civil War. After the war, the Baltimore & Potomac, in an alliance with the Pennsylvania RR, built a long-sought line to Southern Maryland, and a 20-mile spur into Washington, DC.

The junction of the two lines formed a core around which the early town of Bowie grew. Ben Plumb, a developer, purchased 300 acres at the junction and had it surveyed for town lots. Lots sold for $25 each, with plans for houses ranging from four to eight rooms. Shops, a hotel, churches, and homes sprang up. The small village was incorporated in 1874 and was known as Huntington City. The rail depot itself was always knows as the Bowie station.

The importance of the railroad station was clear. However, in 1880, the Legislature passed an act to change the name of the town to Bowie, a tribute to Governor Oden Bowie, whose influence assisted the formation of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad. In 1916, the town of Bowie was formally incorporated. In 1908, the Md.

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General Assembly established Maryland Normal & Industrial School. In 1910, the school moved to a farm called "Jericho" outside the Town of Bowie, opening in 1911. In 1938 the Normal School became the State Teacher's College of Bowie, later re-named Bowie State College. It is now, Bowie State University.

The Bowie Race Track, founded in 1914 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Association, saw continuous racing until it closed in 1985. The facility remains in use as a training center. In 1959, the Town of Bowie annexed the new William Levitt-developed community, "Belair at Bowie" and subsequently re-incorporated in 1963 as the present city of Bowie.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 39° 0.439′ N, 76° 46.75′ W. Marker is in Bowie, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8614 Chestnut Street, Bowie MD 20715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Bowie Caboose (here, next to this marker); Bowie Railroad Station Museum (here, next to this marker); Bowie State University

Bowie Railroad Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Geoff Marsh, February 21, 2014

2. Bowie Railroad Museum and Marker

(approx. 1.2 miles away); Benjamin Banneker Hall / Benjamin Banneker (approx. 1.3 miles away); National Wildlife Center (approx. 1.7 miles away); Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling Conservation Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dr. Gregory J. Smith (approx. 1.7 miles away); Holy Trinity Church (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2014, by Geoff Marsh of Beltsville, Maryland. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2014, by Geoff Marsh of Beltsville, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.