Bladensburg, Maryland, is a Washington, D.C. suburb located along the Anacostia River. The town was renamed from Garrison’s Landing to commemorate Thomas Bladen, the Governor of Maryland from 1742 to 1747. After the American army commanded by General W. H. Winder was defeated here on August 24, 1814, the British army led by General Robert Ross marched on Washington, D.C. and burned several government buildings. Stephen Decatur, a hero of the naval forces, was killed in a duel with James Barron in 1820, despite the fact that dueling had been outlawed in the United States for four years prior. Before the river silted up about the year 1800, Bladensburg was a bustling port that exported both wheat and tobacco. Both the Bostwick (c. 1747) and the Indian Queen Tavern (sometimes called George Washington House) once stood here (c.1732). William Wirt, an anti-Masonic presidential candidate in 1832, was born and raised in this town. Founded in 1742 and formally established in 1854 (Chapter 137, Acts of 1854).

Bladensburg is an Anacostia River suburb of Washington, DC located about a mile northeast of the District of Columbia proper. Bladensburg is one of the villages that make up the Port Towns.

Bostwick-House—400×280

Town of Bladensburg was renamed from Garrison’s Landing to commemorate Thomas Bladen, the governor of Maryland from 1742 to 1747. Bostwick, which would eventually become the residence of the first Secretary of the Navy, was constructed about the same period (around 1747), as were Indian Queen Tavern (also known as George Washington House) and Bostwick (c.1732). After the American army commanded by General W. H. Winder was defeated here on August 24, 1814, British forces led by General Robert Ross were able to march on Washington, D.C. and destroy major government facilities. Although the practice of dueling had been banned for four years prior to 1820, it was in this town that naval hero Stephen Decatur was fatally wounded by James Barron. Bladensburg served as a major outlet for wheat and tobacco exports.

However, the soil became brittle from the tobacco harvests, thus the success came at a price. The depth and width of the Anacostia River were diminished as more and more tobacco was grown there. The harbor of Bladensburg became more inaccessible to ocean-going boats by the early 19th century. In the 1830s, the last ship departed the harbor for good. Founded in 1742 and formally established in 1854 (Chapter 137, Acts of 1854). The Market Master’s House, the Indian Queen Tavern (George Washington House), the Magruder House, and the Ross House also date to this era (which was moved to Baltimore County).

Because of its strategic location and close proximity to the expanding Washington, D.C., the neighborhood continued to prosper even after the port was closed and the tragic conflict. The first U.S. roadway and train both passed through Bladensburg.

Bladensburg was the first place a telegraph line was installed since its creator, Samuel Morse, was a resident there. Bladensburg was the site of the first known unmanned balloon flight. Even yet, the village continued to function as a farming settlement and small town far into the 1920s.

In the 1910s and 1920s, a streetcar system was built, making it feasible for Bladensburg to become directly connected to the District of Columbia for the first time. People now have the option of spending a day in both Bladensburg and D.C. The feel of a “bedroom village” began to permeate Bladensburg. The expansion of Bladensburg to the north and southwest was made possible by the introduction of streetcars, which attracted a new population to the area. Colmar Manor, Cottage City, and Edmonston came into being because there was a need for centralized government and improved access to essential services and infrastructure in the region.