Established in 1696 Prince George’s County boasts a rich history. Named for Prince George of Denmark consort of Queen Anne its motto is Semper Eadem Ever the Same. The county’s story is woven into the fabric of American history. From dinosaurs whose fossils are found in Laurel to the Paleo-Native Americans and the Piscataway Indian Nation who inhabited the land before European settlers.
Prince George’s County played a pivotal role in the War of 1812. The British marched through the county to burn the White House. Prominent doctor William Beanes was kidnapped. Francis Scott Key negotiated his release. This experience inspired Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner. The county held the highest population of enslaved Africans in Maryland. These enslaved people toiled on tobacco farms and plantations.
Hundreds of enslaved Black men were freed during the Civil War in exchange for fighting for the Union Army. The end of slavery in Maryland came later. It was a closely fought referendum campaign led by abolitionist John Pendleton Kennedy. The county also features in the story of John Wilkes Booth’s escape after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. He fled through Prince George’s County on his way to Virginia.
The 20th century saw fluctuating demographics. The proportion of African Americans declined. In the early 1990s it rose again. Wayne K. Curry became the first African American County Executive. In 1997 part of Takoma Park was transferred to Montgomery County following a resident vote. The county’s population nearly reached one million in the 2020 census. It was once the wealthiest Black-majority county in the US. Charles County surpassed it in the 2020 census.
Prince George’s County is geographically diverse. It features gently rolling hills and valleys. Its western border rises into the Piedmont. The Patuxent River forms its eastern border. The county is often divided into North Central South and Rural Tier regions. Each region has its distinct character and history. North County includes Laurel Beltsville and College Park. Central County has Bowie and Upper Marlboro. The Inner Beltway region borders Washington DC. South County includes Clinton and National Harbor. The Rural Tier retains a more traditional rural character.
The county’s political landscape is heavily Democratic. It has consistently voted Democratic in most presidential elections since 1932. Prince George’s County is a vibrant place. It has numerous historical sites and attractions. It also boasts a diverse population and a thriving economy. It’s a place of rich heritage significant achievements and continuing growth. It’s a story waiting to be fully explored.