1957 Map of Bowie

About this map

The Patuxent River and its meandering tributaries, including White Marsh Branch and Collington Branch, define the rural and emerging suburban landscape of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties in this mid-century survey. Urban expansion around Bowie is clearly visible through 1970 photorevisions, contrasting with established rural settlements like Davidsonville and Stocketts. The map documents a transition from an agricultural and gravel-mining economy—evidenced by numerous Gravel Pits and a Borrow Pit—to a more connected regional hub via the John Hanson Highway and Defense Highway. Local life is anchored by historic community centers such as Sacred Heart Ch and St Pauls Ch, alongside specialized landmarks like the Bowie Race Track Stables. The presence of the U S Military Reservation Air Force Transmitter Station indicates the area's strategic importance during the Cold War era.