Bowie, MD

Bowie, Maryland, was founded as a railroad stop between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The station was named after governor and resident Oden Bowie, but the towns itself was initially called Huntington City. The town's name was later changed, and Bowie was incorporated in 1916. The southern Maryland town is home to more than 50,000 people.

The town celebrates its history with a number of museums but also has made strides toward its future by undertaking a revitalization project renovating the downtown and a number of tourist attractions. The arts community is vibrant in Bowie, with a center for the performing arts and a theatrical playhouse. The town owns about 2,000 acres of parkland for residents' outdoor enjoyment. The city has also recently built a state-of-the-art seniors center, an indoor ice rink, a gymnasium and a skate park.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The town of Bowie has benefited from its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The city has become an attractive place for commuters to both major cities because of its low crime rate, active community and appealing real estate market. The median income for a family in Bowie is well above the national average. Less than 2 percent of the population lives below the poverty line here and its unemployment rate is fairly low at about 3 percent.

The City of Bowie and the State of Maryland are two of the biggest employers within the city, operating the many public works. Other major employers include:

• Large retailers, such as Giant Foods, Safeway, and Lowe's
• MedAssurant, a medical informatics service provider
• Larkin Chase Nursing Home

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Neighborhoods and districts of Bowie accommodate more than 18,500 houses, out of which more than 97 percent are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 15,400 are owner-occupied while renters occupy around 2,600 houses. The median home price is slightly higher than the statewide median price.

Old Town Bowie is home to the city Welcome Center, Town Green, and Huntington Railroad Museum. The district includes several historic sites, restaurants, and antique and specialty shops.

BEST BETS

• Bowie Town Green: The traditional green in the center of the city off of Chapel Avenue is utilized for summer concerts and festivals and features a patio that often has live music nights.
• Allen Pond Park: Of the city's many parks, Allen Pond Park is one of the most popular. The park features multiple playgrounds for children; serene trails for walking, jogging, biking or hiking; an ice arena; a skate park; a basketball court; ball fields; a fishing pond; paddleboats; canoeing; and an amphitheater for events and concerts.
• Whitemarsh Park: The other major park along with Allen Pond Park, Whitemarsh is the home of the Bowie Playhouse as well as more than 180 acres of land for Bowie residents' recreation. Hiking trails, lighted ball fields for both children and adults, and campfire circles are some of the highlights that the park has to offer.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The Bowie Center for the Arts: The civic facility is used by Bowie residents for the instruction and performance of theater, art, music, dance, drama, creative therapy, movies, city events, business seminars, lectures and concerts. The theater has 800 seats and is located on Annapolis Road.
• The Bowie Playhouse: Operated by the city of Bowie year round, the 150-seat theater has put on entertaining and affordable productions for the city of Bowie and surrounding areas since 1975. The three groups that share the stage are the Bowie Community Theater Group, 2nd Star Productions and Prince George's Little Theater.
• The Old Town Bowie Welcome Center: Renovated from what was the Bowie Building Associates office, the historic building was opened in 2006 as a welcoming center to visitors and as a museum touching on the history of the city. The small building, made of brick, was originally constructed around 1930.
• The Belair Mansion: The historic mansion was built about 1745 for the provincial governor of Maryland, Samuel Ogle. Through the years, the five-part Georgian plantation saw a number of different owners, who each added on to the estate. The famous horseman William Woodward opened the Belair Stud farm, which produced a number of champion racing horses. The city of Bowie eventually bought the mansion and horse stable and opened it to the public for tours.
• The Belair Stable Museum: Built in 1907, the stable was constructed by the Woodward family and left a significant mark on thoroughbred racing in the America. Under the guidance of famed trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, the stable produced two Triple Crown champions, one of only two stables ever to do so. The stable closed in 1957, but at the time it was the oldest continually operated horse farm in the United States. Today the stable has been renovated by the city of Bowie and is used as a museum.

EDUCATION

Bowie State University: The oldest historically black school of higher education in Maryland and fifth-oldest in the country, Bowie State University has been a leader in the graduation of African- Americans in educational and technological fields. The four schools within the college are the School of Education, the School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Professional Studies. Bowie State also has a partnership with NASA with the operation of the Satellite Operations Center, where students can earn training and certification in satellite management.

SPORTS TEAMS

Bowie Baysox: The AA minor league team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles plays at Prince George's Stadium, built in 1996. The team won its first division title in 2008.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Bowie Gazette
• Bowie Star