101-567: The Baltimore County Executive is the highest elected official representing the government of Baltimore County, Maryland , United States . The office was established with the implementation of the county charter for Baltimore County on November 6, 1956. The county executive is elected to post every four years, coinciding with the elections for the county council and governor of Maryland . Two Baltimore county executives have later achieved prominence after leaving office: Spiro T. Agnew , who went on to become governor of Maryland and Vice President of
202-409: A County Executive and a seven-member County Council . The County Executive and Council members are elected in years of gubernatorial elections. The County Executive may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Without incorporated cities or towns, the county government provides all local services to its residents, many of which are normally associated with city-type governmental agencies. In 1956,
303-625: A King Charles II farthing coin, and French and English gun flints. An unearthed brick foundation proved to be the remains of the tavern owned by colonist James Phillips. Another prominent landholder in Old Baltimore was William Osbourne, who operated the ferry across the Bush River. In 1683, the Maryland General Assembly passed "An Act for Advancement of Trade" to "establish towns, ports, and places of trade, within
404-822: A humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) except in the northern tier where a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) exists. Average monthly temperatures in Towson range from 33.3 °F in January to 76.9 °F in July. The county has three hardiness zones : 6b in some higher northern areas, 7a in most of the county by area, and 7b in areas close enough to the Chesapeake Bay or the City of Baltimore. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) operates three rail systems—one light rail, one rapid transit, and one commuter rail—in
505-486: A 'AAA' bond rating to Prince George's County on August 25, 2011, re-affirming the county's stable financial outlook. Earlier in 2011, the county received 'AAA' status from Standard & Poor's and Moody's . 'AAA' bond ratings are the highest possible bond ratings a jurisdiction can receive. As part of the increasingly liberal D.C. suburbs and a nationwide suburban shift towards the Democrats, Prince George's County
606-696: A 14-year-old slave girl poisoned her owner, John H. Bayne , and his family in 1831. Water taxi service connects National Harbor to other destinations along the Potomac. Several historic sites, including Jones Point Lighthouse, can be viewed from the harbor front. Piscataway Park in Accokeek preserves many acres of woodland and wetlands along the Potomac River opposite Mount Vernon, Virginia. River Road in Fort Washington also yields great views of
707-458: A County-wide fixed-route bus system, and the Call-A-Bus service for passengers who do not have access to or have difficulty using fixed-route bus service. Call-A-Bus is a demand-response service which generally requires 14-days advance reservations. The county also offers a subsidized taxicab service for elderly and disabled residents called Call-A-Cab in which eligible customers who sign up for
808-631: A bi-county planning and parks agency in the M-NCPPC and a public bi-county water and sewer utility in the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Since 1792, the county seat has been Upper Marlboro . Prior to 1792, the county seat was located at Mount Calvert, a 76-acre (308,000 m ) estate along the Patuxent River on the edge of what is now in the unincorporated community of Croom . Since 1991,
909-428: A church (St. John's Anglican Parish), a courthouse, three stone warehouses, inns, taverns, stores, a public wharf and a "gallows-tree" with an "Amen Corner" with pillories and whipping posts (now located northeast of the City of Baltimore near present-day suburban "Joppatowne" off Harford Road ) existed. A new port and wharfing site, Elkridge Landing , on the upper Patapsco River 's Western Branch, became prosperous in
1010-407: A combination system staffed by over 800 career firefighters and paramedics, and nearly 1,100 active volunteers. County law has, for years, required Animal Control to seize all pit bulls from their owners if they become aware of them. This is controversial and Animal Control itself objects to this law. It has routinely required them to act when they see such a dog behaving peacefully inside of
1111-480: A height of 800 feet (240 m) above tide water. The highest elevation is approximately 960 feet (290 m) above sea level at Maryland's state border with Pennsylvania near Steltz . The lowest elevation is sea level along the shoreline of Chesapeake Bay . Much of the county is suburban, straddling the border between the Piedmont plateau to the northwest and in the southern and southeastern regions of
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#17327900631731212-522: A major exit off the I-95 beltway, running east to west, is one of two main roads in this portion of the county. The other major roadway is Old Crain Highway , which runs north to south along the eastern portion of the county. The Newton White Mansion on the grounds is a popular site for weddings and political events. Joint Base Andrews , Bowie State University and Prince George's Community College are in
1313-419: A portion of northwestern Kent County, was split off to create Cecil County. In 1748, a portion of western Baltimore County, as well as a portion of Prince George's County to the south, were split off to create Frederick County. In 1773, Harford County to the east was split off, and in 1837 another part of western Baltimore County was combined with a part of eastern Frederick County to create Carroll County. After
1414-536: A private home merely because Animal Control is checking something unrelated. The Prince George's County Delegation represents the county via 23 delegates in the Maryland House of Delegates . Eight senators represent the county in the Maryland State Senate . In the 118th Congress , most of Prince George's County is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Glenn Ivey (D) of
1515-528: A state-of-the-art acute care teaching hospital, and Fort Washington Medical Center. Hospice of the Chesapeake has offices in Largo, with a staff that serves patients in their homes, including skilled nursing, senior living and assisted living facilities. The Prince George's County Volunteer Firemen's Association was formed in 1922 with several of the first companies organized in the county. The first members of
1616-465: A town center and riverside shopping and living development on the Potomac. The National Harbor, and its associated entertainment ( MGM National Harbor ) and shopping ( Tanger Outlets ) districts, have become a major tourist and convention attraction, with significant hotel accommodations, eateries and shopping. Together, these projects were built on land formerly occupied by the Salubria plantation, where
1717-473: A whole, Republicans running for statewide office must carry it solidly to win a statewide election. After going Republican in all but one presidential election from 1944 to 1988, it has voted for the Democratic candidate for president in each election since 1992. Along with neighboring Howard County , it has voted for the state-wide presidential winner in 10 straight elections, the longest such streak in
1818-460: A wooded reserve adjacent to the planned environmental community of Greenbelt, and University Park , a collection of historic homes adjacent to the University of Maryland. Riversdale Mansion , along with the historic homes of Berwyn Heights , Mt. Rainier and Hyattsville , along with Langley Park are also located in this area. Lake Artemesia and the surrounding park were constructed during
1919-575: A yearly salary for duties such as reporting to the governor on affairs within the county, taking/estimating the census periodically, conveying official laws and proprietary requests to the county courts and selecting juries for court sessions. Along with enforcing all provincial laws, he posted new laws in public places. While his primary duty was to serve the Proprietor, the sheriff was aware of problems faced by poor planters and tradesmen. With taxes, yearly quit-rents and other costly expenditures, many of
2020-502: Is a Democratic stronghold, having voted majority-Democratic in every presidential election but four since 1932: Dwight D. Eisenhower 's landslide elections in 1952 and 1956 , and Richard Nixon 's two candidacies in 1968 and 1972 . It has not given over 15% of the vote to the Republican nominee since 2004 , and was Joe Biden 's second strongest county in the country (and third-best county equivalent after Washington, D.C. ) in
2121-476: Is a blend of the greenery of the rural tier and the new development of central county. The communities of Clinton , Oxon Hill , Temple Hills including Hillcrest Heights , and Fort Washington are the largest areas of south county. It is the only portion of Prince George's County to enjoy the Potomac River waterfront, and that geographic distinction has yielded the rise of the National Harbor project:
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#17327900631732222-472: Is available in the county at Halethorpe , St. Denis , and Martin State Airport stations. The MTA's local and regional bus services also serve Baltimore County. Prince George%27s County, Maryland Prince George's County (often shortened to PG County or PG ) is located in the U.S. state of Maryland bordering the eastern portion of Washington, D.C. As of the 2020 U.S. census ,
2323-672: Is currently under-construction and slated to open in 2026. The Purple Line will provide connections to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 's Red Line via Northern Prince George's County and Montgomery County. The Orange Line and MARC Train 's Penn Line will have transfer points at New Carrollton station . The MARC Train (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) train service has two lines that traverse Prince George's County. The Camden Line , which runs between Baltimore Camden Station and Washington Union Station and has six stops in
2424-489: Is divided into nine councilmanic districts, whose number designations wind roughly from north to south. Two at-large council seats were added in 2018. Prince George's County is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of the state of Maryland and holds 23 of the 32 total circuit court judges in the circuit (which includes Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties). Fitch Ratings assigned
2525-601: Is now " Battle Monument Square ", constructed 1815–1822 to commemorate the city and county defense in the War of 1812 , including the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy fleet in the Patapsco River , the two-day stand-off in fortifications dug east of the city on Loudenschlager's Hill (now "Hampstead Hill" in today's Patterson Park ) and the earlier Battle of North Point in "Godly Woods" on
2626-642: Is part of the Capital region of the state, though portions of the county are considered to be in Southern Maryland . The county also hosts many federal governmental facilities, such as Joint Base Andrews and the United States Census Bureau headquarters. The official name of the county, as specified in the county's charter, is "Prince George's County, Maryland". The county is named after Prince George of Denmark (1653–1708),
2727-507: Is responsible for police services. Established in the mid-17th century, the Sheriff of Baltimore County was at first filled by county justices from 1662 to 1676. After 1676, the Court submitted three names from which the colonial governor chose a sheriff. Although terms of office initially varied, by 1692, a uniform two-year term was imposed. In 1699 a three-year term with separate commissions
2828-504: Is the first female chief to be permanently appointed to the position. The Baltimore County Executive oversees the executive branch of the County government, which is charged with implementing County law and overseeing the government operations. List of County Executives Notes: Anderson resigned after being convicted of several crimes and sentenced to prison. Kamenetz died on May 10, 2018. County Administrative Officer Frederick J. Homan
2929-592: Is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Maryland . The county is part of the Central Maryland region of the state. Baltimore County partly surrounds but does not include the independent city of Baltimore . It is part of the Northeast megalopolis , which stretches from Northern Virginia in the south to Boston in the north and includes major American population centers, including New York City and Philadelphia . Major economic sectors in
3030-483: The 2020 presidential election , only behind Kalawao County, Hawaii , awarding him 89.26% of the vote. Prince George's County is serviced by multiple law enforcement agencies . The Prince George's County Police Department is the primary police service for county residents residing in unincorporated areas of the county. In addition, the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office acts as the enforcement arm of
3131-457: The 2nd district , and Democrat Kweisi Mfume of the 7th district . According to the U.S. census bureau , the county covers 682 square miles (1,770 km ), 598 square miles (1,550 km ) of which is land and 83 square miles (210 km ) (12%) of which is water. It is the third-largest county in Maryland by land area. The larger portion of the terrain consists of hills often rising to
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3232-702: The 4th district and Steny Hoyer (D) of the 5th district . A small part of the northwestern portion of the county is represented by Jamie Raskin (D) of the 8th district . The County contains a 28-mile portion of the 65-mile-long Capital Beltway . After a decades-long debate, an east–west toll freeway, the Intercounty Connector ("ICC"), which extends Interstate 370 in Montgomery County to connect I-270 with Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 in Laurel , opened in 2012. An 11.5-mile portion of
3333-679: The National Register of Historic Places which is maintained by the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior by the "Historic Sites Act" of August 1935. In 1985, the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. City Circuit Courthouse was named in honor of Baltimorean and Civil Rights Movement leader Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. . Baltimore County has had a charter government since 1956. The government consists of
3434-716: The Province of Maryland in April 1696 from portions of Charles and Calvert counties. The county was divided into six districts referred to as "Hundreds": Mattapany , Petuxant , Collington , Mount Calvert, Piscattoway and New Scotland. A portion was detached in 1748 to form Frederick County . Because Frederick County was subsequently divided to form the present Allegany , Garrett , Montgomery , and Washington counties, all of these counties in addition were derived from what had up to 1748 been Prince George's County. In 1791, portions of Prince George's County were ceded to form
3535-484: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 499 square miles (1,290 km ), of which 483 square miles (1,250 km ) is land and 16 square miles (41 km ) (3.2%) is water. Prince George's County lies in the Atlantic coastal plain , and its landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys. Along its western border with Montgomery County, Adelphi , Calverton and West Laurel rise into
3636-642: The county court , and also shares some patrol responsibility with the county police. County parks are serviced by the Prince George's County Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police . Besides the county-level services, all but one of the 27 local municipalities maintain police departments that share jurisdiction with the county police services. Furthermore, the Maryland State Police enforces
3737-583: The piedmont , exceeding 300 feet (91 m) in elevation. The Patuxent River forms the county's eastern border with Howard , Anne Arundel , Charles and Calvert counties. Terrain, culture, and demographics differ significantly by location within the county. There are five key regions to Prince George's County: North County, Central County, the Rural Tier, the Inner Beltway, and South County. These regions are not formally defined, however, and
3838-459: The "Patapsco Neck" peninsula in the southeastern portion of the county, during September 12–14, 1814. These events have been commemorated ever since by Defenders Day , an annual city, county, and state official holiday on September 12. A second city-county courthouse constructed in 1805–1809 was moved to the western side of the Square at North Calvert and East Lexington. A third courthouse including
3939-484: The "Precincts" on its west, north, east and southwest sides. The County separated from the city (which it surrounds on the east, north, and west) on July 4, 1851, as a result of the adoption of the 1851 second state constitution. Baltimore became one of the few " independent cities " in the United States, putting it on the same level with the state's other 23 counties and granting limited " home rule " powers outside
4040-488: The 18th century. It was established on the "falls" of the river, below the rapids and rocks, where the river was deep enough for loaded sailing merchantmen. The landing was a designated "port of entry" and was the terminus of several "rolling roads" on which horse or oxen-drawn hogsheads (huge barrels) packed with tobacco were wheeled down to the Landing/port to be loaded on ships sailing for London and Europe. Gradually
4141-593: The 2020 census. It was the largest and highest-income black-majority county in the United States until the 2020 census, when it was surpassed by Charles County. Hispanic residents grew in number to 21% of the total population. The county experienced a dramatic drop in crime, including record drops in violent crime, although in 2021 and 2022, violent crime increased by 30%. From 2020 to mid-2022 over 2,200 residents died of COVID-19, over 19,000 county residents were left with long-term post-COVID symptoms and over 193,000 COVID infections had been recorded. According to
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4242-502: The 32.5-mile-long Baltimore–Washington Parkway runs from the county's border with Washington, D.C., to its border with Anne Arundel County near Laurel. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates Metrobus fixed-route bus service and Metrorail heavy-rail passenger service in and out of the county as well as the regional MetroAccess paratransit system for the handicapped. The Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation also operates TheBus ,
4343-601: The Baltimore area; all three systems have stations in Baltimore County. The heavy-rail Metro SubwayLink runs northwest of the city to Owings Mills ; the Light RailLink system runs north of Baltimore City to Hunt Valley and south of the city through Baltimore Highlands with some routes terminating at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport , Maryland. Commuter MARC Train service
4444-565: The Bladensburg waterfront, Kenilworth parks, and downtown D.C. Fairmont Heights is the second oldest African-American-majority municipality in Prince George's County. The Fairmount Heights Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Bowie is best known as a planned Levittown . William Levitt in the 1960s built traditional homes, as well as California contemporaries along U.S. Route 50 ,
4545-554: The Central region, as well as County government offices. The inner beltway communities of Capitol Heights , District Heights , Fairmont Heights , Forestville , Suitland , Hillcrest Heights , Oxon Hill, and Seat Pleasant border neighboring District of Columbia's northeastern and southeastern quadrants. The area has easy access to Metro's blue line , commercial centers, Maryland Route 214, and Interstate 95/Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). Protected bike trails connect residents to
4646-472: The Civil Rights Movement, and by the 1980s the county's older inner suburbs faced increasing urban social ills. An atmosphere of cooperation emerged with the drawing of cross-border state assembly districts, organizing of regional government agencies, and increasing state assumption of powers. The county has a number of properties and sites of local, state and national historical interest on
4747-439: The County adopted an "executive-council" system of government with "at large" representatives, replacing its traditional system of an elected Board of County Commissioners. Since then it has had eleven county executives and one "acting" executive, of which ten were Democrats and two were Republicans . The former Vice President of the United States , Spiro T. Agnew , served as the third executive from 1962 to 1966 and subsequently
4848-583: The General Assembly passed "An Act for erecting a Court-house and Prison in each County within this Province". The site of the courthouse, jail and county seat for Baltimore County was evidently "Old Baltimore" near the Bush River on land that in 1773 became part of Harford County. The exact location of Old Baltimore is Chilbury Point on the north side of the Bush River owned by the Garrison of
4949-424: The Potomac. Fort Washington Park was a major battery and gives access to the public for tours of the fort, scenic access to the river and other picnic grounds. Oxon Hill Manor offers a working farm and plantation mansion for touring; His Lordship's Kindness is another major historic home. Also, Fort Foote is an old American Civil War fort and tourist destination. Prince George's and Montgomery Counties share
5050-601: The United States under Richard Nixon , resigned in 1973 due to scandal while serving in that office; and Dutch Ruppersberger , who went on to represent Maryland's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives . The Baltimore County Executive is Johnny Olszewski. Baltimore County, Maryland Baltimore County ( / ˈ b ɔː l t ɪ m ɔːr / BAWL -tim-or , locally: / b ɔː l d ə ˈ m ɔːr / bawl-da- MOR or / ˈ b ɔː l m ər / BAWL -mər )
5151-483: The adjustment of Baltimore County's southern boundary with Anne Arundel County, stated to be the upper Middle and Western Branches of the Patapsco River in 1727, a portion of the county's northwestern area was designated in 1838 as the "Western District" or "Howard District" of Arundel and in 1851 was officially separated to form Howard County. Prior to 1674, Baltimore County court sessions were held in private residences, according to sketchy documentary evidence. In 1674,
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#17327900631735252-532: The area just beyond the Beltway to the west and south of central county, though with direct access by Route 210, while bounded on the west by the communities Accokeek and Fort Washington , and the east by the Patuxent River . Prince George's origins are in this part of the county. Most of this area contains the unincorporated parishes, villages and lost towns of Prince George's County. Largely under postal designations of " Upper Marlboro " or " Brandywine ", in truth
5353-547: The area was occupied by Paleo-Native Americans and then, later, Native Americans. When the first European settlers arrived, what is now Prince George's County was inhabited by people of the Piscataway Indian Nation . Three branches of the tribe are still living today, two of which are headquartered in Prince George's County. Prince George's County was created by the English Council of Maryland in
5454-448: The association were Hyattsville , Cottage City , Mount Rainier , and Brentwood . In March 1966, the Prince George's County Government employed the firefighters who had been hired by individual volunteer stations and an organized career department was begun. The career firefighters and paramedics are represented by IAFF 1619. Prince George's County Fire/Rescue Operations consists of 45 Fire/EMS stations. Prince George's County became
5555-527: The authority of the Maryland General Assembly. Towsontown was voted in a referendum by the voting citizens as the new "county seat" on February 13, 1854. The City of Baltimore continued annexing land from the county, extending its western and northern boundaries in 1888. The factory and business owners in the eastern industrial communities of Canton and Highlandtown resisted and opposed annexation, but were annexed 30 years later. The last major annexation took place in 1918–1919, which again took territory from
5656-753: The completion of the Washington Metro Green Line , and it incorporates a stocked fishing lake and serves as the trail-head for an extensive Anacostia Tributary Trails system that runs along the Anacostia River and its tributaries. The south and central tracts of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center also lie in this part of the county; the north tract lies north of the Patuxent River in Anne Arundel County . Central County, located on
5757-504: The consort of Anne, Queen of Great Britain , and the brother of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway . The county's demonym is Prince Georgian, and its motto is Semper Eadem (English: "Ever the Same" ), a phrase used by Queen Anne . Prince George's County is frequently referred to as "PG" or "PG County", an abbreviation which is the subject of debate, some residents viewing it as a pejorative and others holding neutral feelings toward
5858-463: The cost of a new courthouse (300 pounds sterling), dominant business, commercial and political residents of the Town of Baltimore were able to have the Maryland General Assembly relocate the county seat to their growing port town. In 1768, following receipt of petitions for and against the relocation, the General Assembly passed an Act that moved the county seat from Joppa to Baltimore. The first courthouse
5959-614: The county and surrounding areas, including Baltimore City, through mutual-aid pacts with those jurisdictions. The department consists of both paid and volunteer companies that provide services to overlapping territories. Twenty-five career (paid) stations and 28 volunteer stations operate there. More than 1,000 paid personnel and more than 2,000 volunteers serve in the department. The department conducts annual fire inspections on commercial properties, fire investigation and fire prevention education activities as well as water and tactical rescue. Sworn in as fire chief on July 1, 2019, Joanne R. Rund
6060-614: The county bordering the Patapsco River and the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic coastal plain . Northern Baltimore County is primarily rural, with a landscape of rolling hills and deciduous forests characteristic of the Southeastern mixed forests and shares the geography with its neighbors to the east and west, Carroll County and Harford County, and going north across the historic Mason–Dixon line into Adams County and York County in south central Pennsylvania . The county has
6161-432: The county has slowly moved government functions from rural Upper Marlboro to the Largo area, closer to the center of population, while proposals to move the actual county seat remain controversial. Prince George's County was granted a charter form of government in 1970 with the county executive elected as the head of the executive branch and the county council members as the leadership of the legislative branch. The county
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#17327900631736262-423: The county include education, government, and health care. As of the 2020 census , the population was 854,535. The county is home to several universities, including Goucher College , Stevenson University , Towson University , and University of Maryland, Baltimore County . The name "Baltimore" derives from Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore (1605–1675), proprietor of the colonial-era Province of Maryland , and
6363-770: The county is anchored by the Capital Beltway and the Baltimore–Washington Parkway . Hyattsville developed early in the 20th century due to its proximity to rail transportation and U.S. Highway 1. Laurel is experiencing a population boom with the construction of the Inter-County Connector . The key employers in this region are the University of Maryland , Beltsville Agricultural Research Center , and NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center . Areas of geographic distinction include Greenbelt Park ,
6464-418: The county on all three sides (west, north, and east) and to the south for the first time from Anne Arundel County, along the south shores of the Patapsco River . A new Baltimore County Courthouse was authorized to be built facing Washington Avenue, between Chesapeake and Pennsylvania Avenues to replace the previous courthouse and governmental offices then centered for near 85 years in the city, which had been
6565-976: The county such as the US Park Police , US Postal Police , the 316th Security Forces Squadron (specifically covering Andrews AFB ), and other federal police located on various federal property within the county. In addition, nearly all of the incorporated cities and towns in the county have their own municipal police force. Notable exceptions include the city of College Park . Prince George's County hospitals include Bowie Health Center, Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital & Nursing Center in Cheverly, Laurel Regional Hospital in Laurel, Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center,
6666-523: The eastern outskirts of the Capital Beltway, consists of Mitchellville , Woodmore , Greater Upper Marlboro , Springdale , Largo , and Bowie . According to the 2010 census, it has generally been the fastest growing region of the county. Mitchellville is named for a wealthy African American family, the Mitchells, who owned a large portion of land in this area of the county. Central Avenue ,
6767-508: The end of slavery in America, he did not free the slaves in Maryland because he was concerned that slave owning Maryland would revolt and Washington D.C. would then be surrounded by Confederate forces. However John Pendleton Kennedy , a Maryland politician who became an abolitionist after watching a speech by Frederick Douglass , led a referendum campaign to end slavery in the state. In 1864, the citizens of Maryland voted to end slavery. However
6868-430: The first half of the 20th century, but was renewed to over 50% in the early 1990s when the county again became majority African American. The first African American County Executive was Wayne K. Curry , elected in 1994. On July 1, 1997, the Prince George's County section of the city of Takoma Park , which straddled the boundary between Prince George's and Montgomery counties, was transferred to Montgomery County . This
6969-544: The first jurisdiction in Maryland to implement the 9-1-1 Emergency Reporting System in 1973. Advanced life support services began for citizens of the county in 1977. Firefighters were certified as Cardiac Rescue Technicians and deployed in what was called at the time Mobile Intensive Care Units to fire stations in Brentwood, Silver Hill , and Laurel . As of 2007, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department operates
7070-406: The highest population of slaves within the state of Maryland. These enslaved Africans engaged in forced labor on tobacco farms and plantations throughout Prince George's County. During the Civil War, hundreds of enslaved black men in Prince George's County were given freedom in exchange for joining the Union Army and fighting in Colored units against Confederate Forces. When Abraham Lincoln ordered
7171-414: The key highway to the eastern shore and the state capital of Annapolis . Bowie has currently grown to be the largest city in Prince George's County, with more than 50,000 people. It also has a large Caucasian population, compared to much of the county (48% of the population). Housing styles vary from the most contemporary to century-old homes in Bowie's antique district (formerly known as Huntingtown), where
7272-631: The law on state highways which pass through the county with the exception of Maryland Route 200 where the Maryland Transportation Authority Police is the primary law enforcement agency and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police patrol the state parks and navigable waterways located within the county. Along with the state and local law enforcement agencies, the federal government also maintains several departments that service citizens of
7373-422: The legislative assembly authorized Thomas Tolley, Capt. John Taylor, Daniel Scott, Lancelot Todd, and John Stokes to purchase 20 acres from "Taylor's Choice," a tract named after John Taylor. The assembly's ordinance directed that the land be divided into 40 lots with streets and alleys to accompany the courthouse and jail erected previously. By 1750, about 50 houses (including a few large two-story brick structures),
7474-405: The lower magistrates, commissioners, district and circuit courts , orphans (inheritances/wills) court, small claims court and the old Supreme Bench of Baltimore City was constructed on the entire western block of North Calvert , East Lexington, East Fayette and Saint Paul Streets from 1896 to 1900. In 1816, the City of Baltimore annexed from Baltimore County several parcels of land known as
7575-615: The new District of Columbia (along with portions of Montgomery County, Maryland and parts of Northern Virginia that were later returned to Virginia ). During the War of 1812 , the British marched through the county by way of Bladensburg to burn the White House. On their return, they kidnapped a prominent doctor, William Beanes . Lawyer Francis Scott Key was asked to negotiate for his release, which resulted in his writing " The Star-Spangled Banner ". Prince George's County had
7676-502: The northern portions of the county lean Republican, while the southern portion is more Democratic. The Baltimore County State's Attorney is responsible for prosecuting the felony , misdemeanor, and juvenile cases that occur in the county. As of 2017, the State's Attorney was Scott Shellenberger (Democrat). He followed Sandra A. O'Connor, a Republican who served eight terms before retiring in 2006. The Baltimore County Police Department
7777-512: The official "county seat" since just before the American Revolution . Later surrounded by manicured flower gardens, shrubs and curved walkways, the historical landmark is built of local limestone and marble . It was completed and dedicated in 1855. Wings and annexes were added in 1910, 1923 and 1958. By the 1970s, the county's legal system and governmental offices had grown so much that a separate modernistic "County Courts Building"
7878-659: The park's Jug Bay Natural Area and the Patuxent Riverkeeper in Queen Anne both offer canoeing and kayaking rentals on the Patuxent. The county's largest collection of tobacco planter mansions and preserved homes are in the rural tier, some managed by the M-NCPPC. Many rural tier roads have scenic highway preservation status. Rosaryville State Park is in the county, not far from the county seat. South County
7979-547: The poorer settlers were unable to pay their obligations when due. The sheriff often extended credit to these planters and paid their immediate obligations out of his own pocket. This lessened the impact of taxes for the poor, who repaid the sheriff after their harvests were brought in. The modern Baltimore County Sheriff's Department is responsible for security of the two major County Circuit Courts buildings and various courtrooms elsewhere as well as process and warrant service. Sheriff's Deputies are sworn police officers and share
8080-482: The population was 967,201, making it the second-most populous county in Maryland , behind neighboring Montgomery County . The 2020 census counted an increase of nearly 104,000 in the previous ten years. Its county seat is Upper Marlboro . It is the most populous African American-majority county in the United States , as well as the second most affluent behind neighboring Charles County . The county
8181-569: The present-day Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), a U.S. Army weapons testing facility. It is a popular spot of local boaters. APG's Cultural Resource Management Program attempted to find Old Baltimore, contracting with R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates (Goodwin). Goodwin first performed historical and archival work and coordinated with existing landscape features to locate the site of Old Baltimore. APG's Explosive Ordnance Disposal of Army personnel defused any unexploded ordnance. In 1997–1998. Goodwin dug 420 test pits, uncovering artifacts including
8282-482: The province." One of the towns established by the act was "on Bush River, on Town Land, near the Court-House". The courthouse on the Bush River referenced in the 1683 Act was in all likelihood the one created by the 1674 Act. "Old Baltimore" was in existence as early as 1674, but no documents describe what may have preceded it. By 1695, the "Old Baltimore" courthouse had evidently been abandoned. County justices put
8383-682: The same powers of the more recently organized County Police Department. As of 2019, the Baltimore County Sheriff is a Democrat, R. J. Fisher. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP . The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore field office is located in Milford Mill . The Baltimore County Fire Department (B.Co.F.D.) provides fire protection, emergency medical services and emergency rescue services to
8484-568: The service purchase coupons giving them a 50 percent discount with participating taxicab companies in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has fifteen stations of the Washington Metro system located in Prince George's County, with four of them as terminus stations: Greenbelt , New Carrollton , Downtown Largo , and Branch Avenue . The Purple Line , which would link highly developed areas of both Montgomery and Prince George's Counties
8585-540: The site silted-up from soil erosion and poor farming cultivation on the upper Patapsco, and the maritime economy of the Landing faded. In the 19th century, it became an important stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the main north-south East Coast highway for wagons and carriages. Still, later it was on Washington Boulevard (designated U.S. Route 1 ) by 1926. With a bit of financial pressure, and after paying for
8686-492: The site up for sale. Apparently a new courthouse at "Simm's Choice" on the Baltimore County side of Little Gunpowder Falls had been under construction since 1692. In 1700, builder Michael Judd sold it to the county justices. This change of location, away from the Bush River area, reflects the growing economic and political importance of the Gunpowder region. During the next decade, the county seat moved to Joppa . By 1724,
8787-679: The state was so divided that the referendum won by only 1,000 votes. Lincoln then ordered the Union Army to enforce the ban in Maryland and all enslaved people in the state were freed. After the Civil War, many African Americans attempted to become part of Maryland politics, but were met with violent repression after the fall of Reconstruction . In April 1865, John Wilkes Booth made his escape through Prince George's County while en route to Virginia after killing President Abraham Lincoln . The proportion of African Americans declined during
8888-418: The state. However, in gubernatorial elections , it has often gone Republican (1994, 1998, 2006) even as a Democratic candidate was elected governor. In the 2014 gubernatorial election Republican Larry Hogan won Baltimore County by over 20 points (59.03% to 38.89%). Baltimore County is represented by Republican Andy Harris of Maryland's 1st congressional district , Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger of
8989-497: The streets. The rural tier has been the focus of orchestrated efforts by residents and county government to preserve its rural character and environmental integrity. Under the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) , Patuxent River Park is the largest natural preserve and provides public access for birdwatching and viewing the rural tier's natural waterfront vistas. In season,
9090-408: The term or even preferring the abbreviation over the full name. The Cretaceous Era brought dinosaurs to the area that left fossils now preserved in a 7.5-acre (3.0 ha) park in Laurel . The site, which among other finds has yielded fossilized teeth from Astrodon and Priconodon species, has been called the most prolific in the eastern United States. In the mid to late Holocene era,
9191-422: The terms used to describe each area can vary greatly. In the broadest terms, the county is generally divided into North County and South County with U.S. Route 50 serving as the dividing line. Southern Prince George's County is also considered to be a part of the Southern Maryland region. Northern Prince George's County includes Laurel , Beltsville , Adelphi , College Park and Greenbelt . This area of
9292-547: The town of Baltimore in County Cork , Ireland . The earliest known documentary record of the county is dated January 12, 1659, when a writ was issued on behalf of the General Assembly of Maryland to its sheriff. The county was founded in 1659, and is now one of 23 counties in the state. The initial Baltimore County was larger geographically than it is currently, including most of northeastern Maryland, which
9393-531: The town of Bowie began as a haven for thoroughbred horse racing. Areas of geographic distinction include the Oden Bowie Mansion , Allen Pond, key segments of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail , as well as planned parks, lakes and walking trails. Prince George's rural tier was designated "in the 2002 General Plan as an area where residential growth would be minimal"; it may be found in
9494-476: The town of Upper Marlboro is more central county in character, though it is the post office location for various rural settlements. (The names of these unincorporated areas are listed below in the towns section of this article). Since 1721 Upper Marlboro has been the county seat of government, with families that trace their lineage back to Prince George's initial land grants and earliest governing officials. Names like Clagett, Sasscer , King James and Queen Anne pepper
9595-408: Was acting county executive until the county council named Mohler to serve the remainder of Kamenetz's term. The County Council adopts ordinances and resolutions and holds the county's legislative powers. As of April 2023 , the council has 4 Democrats and 3 Republicans . Baltimore County is somewhat of a bellwether for Maryland politics. While it leans slightly Republican compared to the state as
9696-463: Was adopted. The sheriff acted as the chief local representative of the proprietary government. His duties included the collection of all public taxes and after 1692, the collection of the yearly poll tax of forty pounds of tobacco for the support of the Anglican ( Church of England ) clergy and parishes. A sheriff received a percentage of collected monies, generally about five percent. He also received
9797-455: Was constructed in 1768 at a new Courthouse Square at present-day North Calvert Street , between East Lexington and East Fayette Streets. The city of Baltimore, Jonestown , and Fells Point were incorporated as the City of Baltimore in 1796–1797. The city remained a part of surrounding Baltimore County and continued to serve as its county seat from 1768 to 1851. The site of the courthouse
9898-676: Was done after city residents voted in a referendum to be under the sole jurisdiction of Montgomery County, and subsequent approval by both counties and the Maryland General Assembly . This was the first change in Montgomery/Prince George's County line boundaries since 1968, when the City of Laurel was unified in Prince George's County; additional legislation was proposed in 1990 for a technical correction, though may not have achieved enactment. The county's population nearly reached one million residents in
9999-519: Was elected Governor of Maryland , serving from 1967 to 1969. He was later accused of corruption and bribery while serving as County executive and continuing to accept bribes as the state's governor and as U.S. vice president. He pleaded "no contest" to unprecedented Federal criminal charges. He was forced to resign the Vice Presidency in 1973. Politically, Baltimore County leans Democratic, but not as overwhelmingly as Baltimore City. In general,
10100-406: Was erected to the west behind the old Courthouse with its annexes, separated by a paved plaza which is used for employee/visitors relaxations and official ceremonies. A constitutional amendment to the 1867 Maryland Constitution was approved by referendum in 1948, prohibiting any future annexations without approval from residents in affected territories. Extensive city-county hostilities came during
10201-536: Was then the northwestern frontier of the Province and included the present-day jurisdictions of Baltimore City , Cecil and Harford Counties , and parts of Carroll , Anne Arundel , Frederick , Howard , and Kent Counties . In 1674, a proclamation of the Proprietor established the then-extensive boundary lines for old Baltimore County. Over the next century, various segments of the old county were sliced off as population and settlements increased in fringe regions. A portion of northeastern Baltimore County, as well as
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