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City of Bowie
History
Bowie is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland. The population was a little over 50,000 as of the 2000 census. Bowie is the largest city in Prince George's County, Maryland, and the fourth most populous municipality in the State of Maryland. In 1853, Colonel William D. Bowie succeeded in obtaining a charter from the Maryland legislature to construct a rail line into the southern part of Maryland. The railroad from Baltimore to Southern Maryland, which had a spur into Washington DC, was completed by 1873. That spur change occured in what would become Bowie, Maryland.
In 1870, a land developer and speculator named Ben Plumb sold building lots around this railroad spur and named the settlement "Huntington City." Huntington City, later named Bowie, was founded in 1870. It was so named in honor of the President of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad, Oden Bowie, who was later voted Governor.
In 1916 , Bowie was incorporated as a town. In 1957, Levitt and Sons, acquired the colonial plantation that was owned by Governor Samuel Ogle, they developed the residential community of "Belair at Bowie." This popular planned community built in the 1960's streets are arranged in alphabetical sections.
Bowie has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Belair Mansion (circa 1745) is a beautiful five-part Georgian plantation house, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Belair Stable is on the estate. It was one of the premier racing stables in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. In addition to Bowie's horse-breeding heritage, Bowie is also associated with railroading. The town grew up around the Bowie railroad station and became known as an important rail town. A piece of this history has been preserved in the Huntington Railroad Museum, which includes many historical materials. While the city is very proud of its heritage, it is also very focused on it's future growth. Bowie is one of the fastest growing cities in Maryland. It has almost 2,000 acres set aside as parks or open space. It has 72 ball fields, three community centers, an ice arena, a theatrical playhouse, a golf course, three museums, a state-of-the-art senior citizens center and a gymnasium for community programs. Bowie is home to the Bowie Baysox, a Class AA Eastern League professional baseball team. Some famous people from Bowie: Jan Scruggs (founder of the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial), Kathie Lee Gifford, Eva Cassidy, Paul Reed Smith, Alana Beard, JC Chasez, and Danny Ferry.
Education
Bowie is in the Prince George's County Public Schools system.
Bowie State University was founded in 1865. It is a public four year university. It is classed as a Master's College and University by the Carnegie Institute. Bowie State University is a participant in the National Science Foundation and NASA Partnership Program. Bowie State ranks first in the nation in graduating African Americans with master's degrees in computer science, second in the nation for psychology, and third in the nation for communications.
U.S. Postal Service
Main Office: 6701 Laurel Bowie Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715 301.464.0708
Mitchellville Branch: 1500 Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie, Maryland 20716
Old Bowie Branch: 13030 9th Street, Bowie, Maryland 20715
Community Centers:
Covington Community Center, 3750 Elder Oaks Blvd, Bowie, Maryland 20716, 301.333.6561
Huntington Community Center, 13022 8th Street, Bowie, Maryland 20715, 301.464.3725
Bowie Community Center, 3209 Stonybrook Drive, Bowie, Maryland 20715, 301.464.1737
South Bowie Community Center, 1717 Pittsfield Lane, Bowie, Maryland 20716, 301.249.1622
Public Transportation
Metrorail/Metrobus: Info 202.637.7000, TTY/TDD 202.628.8973, On-Call Lift Service 202.962.1825
Mass Transit Administration: 410.539.5000, 1.800.543.9809, TDD 410.539.3497
Amtrak Railroad Service: 1.800.USA.RAIL
Car and Van Pools: Mass Transit Administration 410.539.5000,
MTA Car and Van Pool Info. 410.859.7665
Prince Geore's County 800.486.RIDE
Prince George's County Call-A-Bus 301.499.8603
Airports: Baltimore Washington International (BWI) 410.859.7111
Ronald Reagon Washington National 703.417.7000
Shopping
Bowie Town Center 15606 Emerald Way, Bowie, Maryland 301.860.1818
Freestate Mall 15500 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland
Bowie Plaza 6990 Laurel-Bowie Road, Bowie, Maryland
Hilltop Plaza Annapolis and Racetrack Road, Bowie, Maryland
Pointer Ridge Plaza 1400 Crain Highway, Bowie, Maryland
Market Place 3268 Superior Lane, Bowie, Maryland
Websites containing information on the City of Bowie:
http://www.cityofbowie.org/links.asp
http://www.bowieartscenter.com
http://www.baysox.com
http://www.bowieblade.com/bowieallenpond.html
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed
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