College Park, Maryland: A Blend of History, Education, and Diversity

College Park, Maryland, a city in Prince George's County, is located approximately four miles from the northeast border of Washington, D.C. With a population of 34,740 at the 2020 United States census, College Park is known for being home to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and the College Park Airport, the world's oldest continuously operated airport, established in 1909. The city offers a unique mix of historical significance, academic influence, and diverse community.

Historical Overview

The written history of College Park, Maryland, begins with the early Europeans that settled in the area since the 18th century. After the predecessor of the University of Maryland, the Maryland Agricultural College, was chartered in 1856, a series of neighborhoods developed in the area, also influenced by the deployment of a streetcar along what is now Rhode Island Avenue.

Early Inhabitants and European Settlement

The earliest evidence of human activity in the College Park area was found at an archeological site just south of Archives II. Projectile points of Clagett and Vernon styles dating from 3000 to 2600 BC were recovered, a notable find given their location away from a river. This finding together with other similar ones indicate that the native American population became more sedentary in the Late Archaic period as the availability of local food supply increased, and social complexity grew. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the European settlers lived on large plantations, some holding the original grants under Lord Baltimore. In College Park, there are records for Toaping Castle, a land grant to Col.

Development of College Park

The original College Park subdivision was first platted in 1872 by Eugene Campbell. Early maps called the local post office "College Lawn". The area remained undeveloped and was re-platted in 1889 by John O. Johnson and Samuel Curriden, Washington real estate developers. The original 125-acre (0.51 km2) tract was divided into a grid-street pattern with long, narrow building lots, with a standard lot size of 50 feet (15 m) by 200 feet (61 m). College Park originally included single-family residences constructed in the Shingle, Queen Anne, and Stick styles, as well as modest vernacular dwellings.

Key Historical Developments

1856: The Maryland Agricultural College, the predecessor to the University of Maryland, was chartered.
1872: The original College Park subdivision was platted.
1889: The area was re-platted by real estate developers.
1909: The College Park Airport was established by the United States Army Signal Corps.
1945: College Park was officially incorporated as a city.

The Rossborough Inn

The oldest standing building in College Park is the Rossborough Inn, whose construction began in 1798 and was completed in 1812. Rossborough Inn, part of the Maryland Agricultural College ca.

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Neighborhoods of College Park

College Park comprises several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique history and character.

Lakeland

The Lakeland neighborhood was developed beginning in 1890 around the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, whose Branchville and Calvert Road depots were located approximately one mile to the north and south, respectively. Lakeland was created by Edwin Newman, who improved the original 238 acres (0.96 km2) located to the west of the railroad. He also built a number of the original homes, a small town hall, and a general store. The area was originally envisioned as a resort-type community. However, due to the flood-prone, low-lying topography, the neighborhood became an area of African-American settlement. Around 1900, the Baltimore Gold Fish Company built five artificial lakes in the area to spawn goldfish and rarer species of fish. By 1903 Lakeland was an established African-American community with a school and two churches. Lakeland was central in a group of African American communities located along Route One through Prince Georges County. Lakeland High School opened in 1928 with funding from the Rosenwald Fund, the African American community and the county. Lakeland High served all African American students in the northern half of the county until 1950 when it was converted to a facility for lower grades.

During the 1960s through the 1980s an Urban Renewal Project took place within the historic African American community of Lakeland. This project was carried out in the face of the opposition of the community's residents and resulted in the redevelopment of approximately two thirds of the community. On June 9, 2020, the city government passed a "Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park Renouncing Systemic Racism and Declaring Support of Black Lives" which recognized harm done to the historic African American community of Lakeland.

Berwyn

The Berwyn neighborhood was developed beginning about 1885 adjacent to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It was created by Francis Shannabrook, a Pennsylvanian who purchased a tract of land between Baltimore Avenue and the railroad tracks. Shannabrook established a small depot, built a general store, and erected approximately 15 homes in the area to attract moderate-income families looking to move out of Washington. The neighborhood began to grow after 1900 when the City and Suburban Electric Railway entered the area. By 1925, approximately 100 single-family homes existed, mostly two-story, wood-frame buildings.

Daniels Park

The Daniels Park neighborhood was developed, beginning in 1905 on the east and west sides of the City and Suburban Electric Railway in north College Park. Daniels Park was created by Edward Daniels on 47 acres (19 ha) of land. This small residential subdivision was improved with single-family houses arranged along a grid pattern of streets.

Hollywood

The Hollywood neighborhood was developed in the early 20th century along the City and Suburban Electric Railway. Edward Daniels, the developer of Daniels Park, planned the Hollywood subdivision as a northern extension of that earlier community. Development in Hollywood was slow until after World War II, when Albert Turner acquired large tracts of the northern part of the neighborhood in the late 1940s. Turner was able to develop and market brick and frame three-bedroom bungalows beginning in 1950. By 1952, an elementary school had been built.

Other Neighborhoods

Other neighborhoods that were part of the initial incorporation of the city in 1945 (Calvert Hills, Old Town, Lakeland, Berwyn, Branchville, Oak Springs, Daniel's Park, and Hollywood) plus Sunnyside lie in between the Washington-Baltimore CSX railway tracks and Route 1/Baltimore Avenue. West of Baltimore Avenue lie Lord Calvert Manor, College Park Woods, Crystal Springs, Acerdale (University View), Autoville, Cherry Hill, and Camden. These neighborhoods are primarily residential. They exhibit a variety of architectural styles including Queen Anne and Colonial Revival, and, in later constructions, American Foursquare, Cape Cod, and bungalow. Commercial activity is concentrated along Baltimore Avenue, Greenbelt Road, and Berwyn Road. Berwyn Rd. Muskogee St.

Demographics

Population

As of the census of 2010, there were 30,413 people, 6,757 households, and 2,852 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,392.4 inhabitants per square mile (2,082.0/km2). There were 8,212 housing units at an average density of 1,456.0 units per square mile (562.2 units/km2). As of 2024, the population is estimated to be 34,667.

Racial and Ethnic Composition

College Park city, Maryland - Racial and ethnic compositionNote: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. The racial makeup of the city was 63.0% White, 14.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 12.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races.

Age and Household Statistics

There were 6,757 households, of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 57.8% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The median age in the city was 21.3 years. 7.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 60.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.7% were from 25 to 44; 11% were from 45 to 64; and 5.1% were 65 years of age or older.

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Income

The median income for a household in the city was $50,168, and the median income for a family was $62,759 (these figures had risen to $66,953 and $82,295 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[57]). Males had a median income of $40,445 versus $31,631 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,026.

Diversity at the University of Maryland

UMCP ranks 522 out of 2,183 when it comes to geographic diversity. 29.6% of UMCP students come from out of state, and 2.45% come from out of the country. Student Location Diversity 76 out of 100. The undergraduate student body is split among 39 states (may include Washington D.C.). The age diversity score this school received indicates it is doing a good job attracting students of all ages. Student Age Diversity 74.03 out of 100. A traditional college student is defined as being between the ages of 18-21.

Economy and Development

The University of Maryland shapes College Park's economy significantly, contributing to over half of the city's total employment and a significant fraction of its population. The Discovery district also includes technology companies generally related to the university. An area that has seen rapid growth in the Discovery district since 2010 is quantum technology.

Recent Developments

By the turn of the 21st century, College Park began experiencing significant development pressure. Both students and city residents acknowledged the city's lack of amenities and poor sense of place. In 2002, the city and county passed the Route 1 Sector Plan, which allowed and encouraged mixed use development along College Park's main roadway. Early mixed-used projects along Baltimore Avenue included the View I (2006) and II (2010), Mazza Grandmarc (2010), and the Varsity (2011).

Old Town College Park

Located just south of the University of Maryland College Park campus and bordered to the west by US Route 1 and to the east by the B&O railroad, Old Town College Park encompasses the 25-block area north of Calvert Hills. Comprised of nearly 300 buildings, Old Town College Park offers prospective buyers a diverse assortment of home styles dating from the early 19th century to the present day. Here you’ll find Victorian and Queen Anne styles complete with spires, turrets and wrap-around porches; as well as Colonial revivals and even Arts and Craftsman-influenced bungalows. The median sales price is about $440,000 but price points can vary depending on the age, size and condition of the property. It is also important to note that the community of Old Town College Park abides by a robust set of design guidelines, intended to preserve the original character and historic nature of this community.

Points of Interest and Culture

College Park offers a variety of attractions and cultural activities for residents and visitors.

College Park Aviation Museum

College Park had important contributions to the history of aviation. The College Park Airport, established in 1909, is the world's oldest continuously operated airport. The College Park Aviation Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution that since 1987 has housed antique and reproduction aircraft associated with the history of College Park Airport.

Performing Arts

Several performing arts groups and facilities are on the University of Maryland's campus. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is a 318,000-square-foot complex that opened in 2001 housing six performance venues as well as the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. The Adele H. Stamp Student Union houses the Hoff Theater, the Art and Learning Center, and the Grand Ballroom where various events are held. Additionally, the Nyumburu Amphitheater, adjacent to the Stamp Student Union, features outdoor performances. The Jones-Hill House (former Cole Field), the Ritchie Coliseum, and the XFINITY Center are athletic facilities that also host performances.

Parks and Recreation

College Park offers 11 parks maintained by the city and the Maryland-national capital park & planning commission. The most popular is Lake Artemesia, a 38-acre lake that includes aquatic gardens, fishing piers, and a 1.35 mile hiker-biker trail around the lake. Runners and walkers from College Park and nearby communities gather most Saturdays for the College Park parkrun, a timed 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) event. Other city attractions include the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC), a tennis training center and preparatory school where top-10 player Frances Tiafoe was raised, the War Veterans Memorial, the Ellen E.

Annual Events

The city organizes several annual events. The College Park Day, held in October at the College Park Aviation Museum & Airport, is the city's signature event. It features various activities, entertainment, and food vendors celebrating the community. Friday Night Life!

Geography and Climate

College Park is located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The city is also part of the Washington metropolitan area, with all of its neighborhoods except for Camden and Sunnyside lying inside the Capital Beltway. The city straddles two small streams, Paint Branch and Indian Creek. The confluence of these two streams is located on the South-East corner of the city, next to the College Park Airport, and results in the Northeast branch Anacostia river. This river is a tributary of the Anacostia river, which itself is a tributary of the Potomac river that flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Tornadoes are rare (the whole state of Maryland averages 4 tornadoes per year[55]), but on September 24, 2001, a multiple-vortex F3 tornado hit the area, causing two deaths and 55 injuries and $101 million in property damage.

Government

College Park has operated under the council-manager form of government since 1960. The City Council is the legislative body of the city and makes all city policy. The council has eight members, representing four districts in the city. The council is elected by district every 2 years in non-partisan elections. The Mayor is elected at large on the same election schedule as the City Council. City Council meetings are held weekly at the College Park City Hall.

The Council appoints the City Manager, who manages all city services, implements the policy established by the City Council, and appoints and supervises the heads of the various city department. The City Manager also…

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