“A grist mill evolved into an 1840’s cotton mill” is how West Laurel began. Today, we explore the story of West Laurel in Maryland. It sits midway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Initially called Laurel Factory, West Laurel was a mill town. It got its name from the laurel trees that grew there. The Snowden family patented the land in 1658. This was part of their 12250 acre New Birmingham plantation.
In 1835, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad arrived. This helped West Laurel grow as a commuter town. People could easily travel to work in Washington and Baltimore. Main Street became the city’s heart.
Laurel’s industry began with Nicholas Snowden. He built a grist mill on the Patuxent River around 1811. By the 1820s, it became a cotton mill. In 1835, Horace Capron formed the Patuxent Manufacturing Company. The mill expanded greatly. The Avondale Mill building was added in 1844. Capron and his partners built housing for about 300 workers. Cotton duck from the mill went by rail to Baltimore.
West Laurel was somewhat unusual. It was surrounded by agricultural endeavors in Prince George’s County. Edward Snowden became the first postmaster in 1837. The town had a school and shops. Many mill workers lived in company-owned homes until the 1860s.
Three historic churches were founded in the 1840s. These were the Methodist Church in 1842, St. Mary of the Mills in 1845 and St. Philip’s in 1839. They still have active congregations today.
During the Civil War, West Laurel had divided loyalties. Some residents sympathized with the South. Union soldiers patrolled the railroad. There was even a Union hospital for a time.
West Laurel became an early suburban town. Many residents commuted to jobs in Washington or Baltimore. The town was incorporated in 1870. By then, the population was 2080. Livestock were banned from the streets.
In 1899, Edward Phelps, a seven-term mayor, built the first high school in Prince George’s County. This building now serves as the Phelps Community Center.
In the 20th century, West Laurel saw more changes. Laurel Park Racecourse opened in 1911. Natural gas service arrived in 1929. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory built its campus nearby in 1954.
Today, West Laurel continues to thrive. It balances its historical roots with modern growth. The city government supports events like LakeFest and the Main Street Festival. These events build community. West Laurel offers a blend of history and progress for everyone.