Picture this. You are standing in Woodwardville a quaint village nestled in Anne Arundel County Maryland. This unassuming community boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad.
Woodwardville’s story begins in 1872 with the arrival of the railroad. A station named Patuxent was established. Three years later a post office opened in Abram G Woodward’s general store. This marked the birth of Woodwardville named after the postmaster himself. Abram G Woodward a descendant of a prominent Maryland family was not only the postmaster. He also worked as a tobacco inspector property assessor and census enumerator.
The village thrived along Patuxent Road. It paralleled the railroad tracks. At its heart lay the station the general store and the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church South. This church now known as Trinity United Methodist Church still stands as a testament to Woodwardville’s enduring spirit. A small road now called 5th Avenue once extended further west connecting Woodwardville to Laurel. This changed with the construction of Fort George G Meade in 1917. The fort’s expansion cut off this road. It also led to the closure of Patuxent Station.
By 1878 Woodwardville’s population reached 50. The Maryland Directory listed a diverse group of residents. There was a machinist a shoemaker a blacksmith a wheelwright a miller an attorney and a physician. Public School #8 was built in 1879. Although in ruins today its structure remains on the east side of Patuxent Road.
The general store sadly no longer exists. It was located on the west side of the road near where 5th Avenue passes under the tracks. The A D Riden Hardware Store built in the 1920s still stands. This molded concrete block building served the community for decades. The Ridens a prominent family in the area also contributed to the Trinity Church and cemetery.
Woodwardville experienced a decline after World War II. Many buildings fell into disrepair. Yet its proximity to commuter rail service spurred a revival in recent years. New residents invested in restoring the historic buildings. Woodwardville is now a bedroom community for those working in Washington D C and Baltimore. Despite nearby development Woodwardville retains its unique charm and historical character. It’s a small yet significant place a quiet reminder of the past. It’s a hidden gem a place where history and community meet. This little village stands as a living example of a crossroads community that persevered.
In the 1920s to the 1950s the Salvation Army operated a summer camp near Woodwardville. Called Happyland this camp provided respite for low-income women and children from Washington. Initially it was segregated but later integrated. It offered a haven of recreation and nourishment far from the city’s harsh realities.
Woodwardville along with Davidsonville and Owensville are the only three crossroads communities in Anne Arundel County retaining significant historical and architectural integrity. So as you explore Woodwardville remember the people who built it the stories it holds and the quiet resilience that defines it.