Upper Marlboro is the county seat for Prince George's County
Croom is in Prince George's County
Prince George's County(644) ► ADJACENT TO PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Anne Arundel County(468) ► Calvert County(153) ► Charles County(150) ► Howard County(143) ► Montgomery County(747) ► Washington, D.C.(2606) ► Alexandria, Virginia(378) ► Fairfax County, Virginia(709) ►
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On Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road, on the right.
A Tobacco-based Ecomony
For more than 200 years, slave-based tobacco plantations dominated the economy of Prince George's County. After the county seat moved from Mount Calvert to Upper Marlboro in 1721, Mount Calvert was the center of a large . . . — — Map (db m187414) HM
On Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour Road, 1 mile north of Croom Airport Road, on the right.
In 1941, aviation history was made when the first Black owned and operated airfield licensed in America opened on this site. Mr. John W. Greene, Jr., a pioneer in Black aviation, was instrumental in developing the airfield, originally called . . . — — Map (db m6394) HM
Built after 1720 by Dr. Patrick Sim, who fled Scotland after the 1715 Rebellion to settle in this country. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Barbara Dent Brooke of nearby Brookefield Manor. c. 1728.
Colonel Joseph Sim, their oldest son, . . . — — Map (db m69387) HM
Near Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road.
At Billingsley's Point, just north of Mount Calvert, archaeologists have recovered thousands of artifacts from both the American Indian and colonial periods.
American Indian Legacy
American Indians inhabited Billingsley for at least 8,000 . . . — — Map (db m68290) HM
On St. Thomas Church Rd, 0.1 miles east of Croom Rd (County Route 382).
1743 -- 1816
First Episcopal Bishop
Consecrated in the United States
First Chaplain of the U.S. Senate
In Washington
"How awesome is the dawn sky above the hills of Croom... it makes my heart sing 'Praised Be God'" — — Map (db m137752) HM
Near McClure Road, 0.8 miles south of Mount Calvert Road, on the right when traveling south.
A series of explosions rocked the Patuxent on August 22, 1814. Commodore Joshua Barney’s armed barges had eluded the British until their escape ended in the shallows of the river. His orders were clear: destroy the flotilla to keep it from enemy . . . — — Map (db m61398) HM
On Nottingham Road at Tanyard Road, on the left when traveling east on Nottingham Road.
Nottingham was the Chesapeake Flotilla’s base in July and early August 1814. The town was hastily abandoned on August 21 as the British moved in. An enemy rear guard protected this important landing while the main force invaded Washington. British . . . — — Map (db m61406) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 2.4 miles east of Croom Road (Maryland Route 382), on the right when traveling east.
Near this place the first courthouse in Prince George's County was erected in 1698, which served as the center of county government until 1721, when the county seat was moved to Upper Marlborough. The village of Charles Town was built on a tract of . . . — — Map (db m68085) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road, on the right when traveling east.
A Day at the Beach
In the late 1800s, the expansion of railroad and steamboat lines made it possible for middle-class Americans to being enjoying summer excursions. During the period of segregation, Calvert County's Chesapeake Beach was a . . . — — Map (db m68292) HM
Near Park Entrance Road, 1.8 miles north of Croom Airport Road, on the right when traveling east.
How will Climate Change Impact the Chesapeake Bay?
Air Temperature
The temperature in Maryland has increased by 2°F since 1970. The graphic below shows that the air temperature will be 3° to 9°F higher by 2100. Maryland's . . . — — Map (db m183966) HM
On Croom Airport Road, on the right when traveling east.
Columbia Air Center provided access to aviation for African American pilots during an era of discrimination. It began operations in 1941 as Riverside Field with one east-west turf runway an office and a hangar. The land was leased by pilot John . . . — — Map (db m189222) HM
On Croom Road (Maryland Route 382) at Kendalwood Drive, on the right when traveling south on Croom Road.
Christopher Rousby patented Croome in 1671. Home of Thomas John Claggett (1743-1816). First Episcopal Bishop of Maryland (1792), First Protestant Bishop consecrated in the United States, And first Chaplain of the US Senate. In August 1814 British . . . — — Map (db m79930) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 0.9 miles east of Park Entrance Road, on the left when traveling west.
Did you know?
The Eastern Bluebird is Prince George's County's bird symbol.
Identification:
The male's bright iridescent blue coloring is a definite field marking while the female's duller coloration lends itself well to blending . . . — — Map (db m183948) HM
On August 22, 1814, American Brigadier General William Winder Spotted the enemy invasion force approaching this church, then called Page Chapel. The British marched west toward Bellefields, Woodyard, and Fort Washington, then doubled back . . . — — Map (db m75349) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.2 miles east of McClure Road, on the right.
Melting Ice, Rising Seas
American Indians arrived in this region at the end of the last Ice Age (12000-15000 years ago). As the earth warmed and the ice melted, sea levels rose dramatically. By 5,000 years ago, ancient lands and rivers once . . . — — Map (db m187417) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 0.9 miles east of Park Entrance Road, on the right when traveling east.
More than any other person, John W. Greene is credited with the success and enduring legacy of Columbia Air Center. Greene was a pioneering aviator, airplane mechanic and teacher. He managed Columbia Air Center from 1941 to 1954.
Greene was . . . — — Map (db m183960) HM
On Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour Road, on the right when traveling south.
The shores of the Patuxent River bear evidence of human habitation dating back more than 8,000 years. Along the River many tribes of Indians practiced primitive farming, pottery making, and hunting with bow and arrow.
The New World colonists . . . — — Map (db m6613) HM
Near Fenno Road, 0.8 miles north of Nottingham Road.
The Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1970 here along the Patuxent River in Prince George's County. It is named for Edgar Merkle who owned a large part of the land and who originated a breeding plan to re-introduce gees to this part of . . . — — Map (db m189221) HM
Near Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road.
The house you see before you was the home of several plantation owners. John Brown built the Federal-style house in the 1780s. Later, John Brooks and Samuel Berry lived here with their families. Each owner left his imprint by making changes to the . . . — — Map (db m127221) HM
Near Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road.
A Confluence of Three Cultures
Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park overlooks the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Western Branch. A series of interpretive panels, describes the archaeological and historical resources from . . . — — Map (db m68298) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.2 miles east of McClure Road, on the right.
A Confluence of Three Cultures
Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park overlooks the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Western Branch. A series of interpretive panels describes the archaeological and historical resources from . . . — — Map (db m187415) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road, on the left.
1000 Acres in Mount Calvert Hundred Patented 17 February 1658 to Philip Calvert, Esq. Youngest son of George, 1st Baron of Baltimore, who was granted a lordship with seignorial rights of a Court Baron with all Royalties and Privileges Most Usually . . . — — Map (db m68300) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.3 miles east of McClure Road, on the right.
Colonial Settlement
It is hard to imagine, but Mount Calvert was once a busy port town of a frontier community. After the Colony of Maryland was created in 1634, colonists began seeking land grants along the Upper Patuxent River. In 1658 . . . — — Map (db m187418) HM
On Nottingham Road at Tanyard Road on Nottingham Road.
A port town with a population of 1500. During the Revolution the British camped here on August 21, 1814 on their march to Washington, D.C. — — Map (db m189220) HM
Well-shaded Fenno Road provided relief for sweltering British soldiers marching from Benedict. On August 22, 1814, their fourth day of travel, they set out from Nottingham along the road that has
existed since at least 1729. Vestiges of the sunken . . . — — Map (db m75376) HM
On Croom Road (Maryland Route 382) at St. Thomas Church Road, on the left when traveling south on Croom Road.
One of three Episcopal congregations in southern Maryland created after the Civil War for African Americans. Founded ca. 1892 as a Sunday school by Rev. Francis P. Willes and his sisters. Later became a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of . . . — — Map (db m3619) HM
On St. Thomas Church Road, 0.2 miles east of Croom Road (Route 382), on the right when traveling east.
Here met St. Simon's Mission for African-Americans 1902-1964. Begun 1896 by the Willes family, church building moved here in 1902. Land, once part of John Eversfield's estate Hackthorne Heath, purchased by Susan Willes from the Hooe family. Pauli . . . — — Map (db m68478) HM
On St. Thomas Church Road at Croom Road (Route 382), on the left when traveling east on St. Thomas Church Road.
Side A Successor to the 17th century Anglican Church at Mount Calvert, this cruciform, brick church was authorized in 1732 and completed in 1745 during the rectorate of John Eversfield, 1728-1780. Built by Daniel Page it served as chapel of . . . — — Map (db m3620) HM
Blacksmithing is an ancient profession which began over six thousand years ago. It is the craft of forging and shaping iron with a hammer and anvil. The work of the blacksmith allowed for advances in transportation and industry by providing the . . . — — Map (db m80576) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 1 mile east of Park Entrance Road, on the right when traveling north.
The "Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection Program" passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 1984 requires each local jurisdiction bordering the Bay and its tributaries to develop a program to protect natural resources, shorelines, and water . . . — — Map (db m183961) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 0.9 miles east of Park Entrance Road, on the right when traveling north.
The first licensed African American owned and operated airport in Maryland if not the nation, opened here in 1941. Originally known as Riverside Field, the Columbia Air Center was established by a group of African American aviators known as the . . . — — Map (db m183956) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 0.9 miles east of Park Entrance Road, on the right when traveling north.
The compass rose is a feature that is well known to those who fly or pilot aircraft. They are an integral part of almost every navigational system including aeronautical, nautical, global positioning systems (GPS) and others. A compass rose can . . . — — Map (db m183949) HM
On Croom Airport Road, 3.7 miles east of Croom Road (Maryland Route 382). Reported permanently removed.
This hand hewn log cabin was built in Aquasco, Maryland around 1880 as a farm tenant house. This one up and one down design with one room and a loft was typically used for slave cabins during the early 1800s. By the late 1800s, it was the . . . — — Map (db m6096) HM
Near Park Entrance Road, 1.7 miles north of Croom Airport Road, on the right when traveling east.
This hand-hewn log cabin was built in Aquasco, Maryland, around 1880 as a farm tenant house. This "one-up-and-one-down" design with one room and a loft was typically used for slave cabins during the early 1800s. By the late 1800s, it was the . . . — — Map (db m183969) HM
On Nottingham Road, 0.1 miles north of Tanyard Road, on the right when traveling north.
One-room schoolhouses were common in small towns and rural areas during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Children from all grad levels were taught in a single room. Eventually one-room schoolhouses disappeared leaving only a few examples like . . . — — Map (db m68074) HM
Simplex Sectional Cottages
The mail-order home in front of you was purchased by Mr. Lowe Steed from Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1923 for $400. It is a quaint, three room, no-bath cottage. An outhouse could be purchased separately . . . — — Map (db m6327) HM
On Nottingham Road, 0.1 miles north of Tanyard Road, on the right when traveling north.
The 1608 records of Captain John Smith's exploration of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers indicate that the town of Nottingham was located near the former site of an American Indian village called Wosameus. formerly known as Mattapany . . . — — Map (db m68077) HM
On Nottingham Road, 0.1 miles north of Tanyard Road, on the right when traveling west.
During the War of 1812, Nottingham served as the home port for the Chesapeake Flotilla, which consisted of 17 gun-boats under the command of Joshua Barney. In the summer of 1814, the British fleet landed at Benedict in Charles County, then camped in . . . — — Map (db m68079) HM
Near Mount Calvert Road, 0.4 miles east of McClure Road.
British Attacks on the Patuxent
During the War of 1812, the British entered the Chesapeake Bay and threatened towns, plantations, and the cities of Washington and Baltimore. To counter this threat, Congress ordered the creation of the . . . — — Map (db m68302) HM
Long before European contact in the 1600s, Tribes of the Confederacy established settlements along the River. The location of a village was determined by how conducive the area was to fishing, planting, gathering, hunting, and trading, which . . . — — Map (db m103909) HM
On Mount Calvert Road, 0.3 miles east of McClure Road, on the right.
Woodland Indians on the Patuxent
American Indians established rear-round settlements along the Patuxent River 3,000 years ago during the Woodland Period (1000 BC-1600 AD). At first, their villages were small and scattered. Over time, large . . . — — Map (db m68303) HM
